10.02.2012

DIY | kitchen chairs



So our kitchen chairs have been making me want to puke for a while now. Today I decided to do something about it. Here's an easy how-to if you're looking to do the same.

You will need:
  • nasty chairs to recover
  • fabric to cover chairs (7/8 of a yard covered 2 chairs for me)
  • screwdriver or electric drill
  • stapler
  • scissors
I decided to recover the nasty tan-velour-track-suit fabric on chairs with this yellow and grey print. I got the end of the bolt at Joann's and got 50% for the 'scrap' price. Holla!


Step 1: Use your drill or screwdriver to remove the seat from the chair.

This is probably easier than you think. I pretty much took out every screw I could find when I only had to take out 3 to get the seat off. Yes, I went to college.


Step 2: Lay out your fabric on a flat surface and put the seat on the fabric face down.

I would also recommend ironing the fabric. I skipped that step because I am lazy. You should get most wrinkles out by pulling tightly but it wouldn't hurt to iron before hand.


Step 3: Pull fabric edges around the seat, pulling tightly. Start stapling!

I would start with one straight side and work your way around. Corners can be tricky, especially if your fabric is thicker. Do your best. Mine looks pretty crappy underneath but no one can see that. Just pull as tight as you can around the corners and staple as much as you need to. Don't be shy. Staples are cheap! And you can always pull them up if you mess up.


Step 4: Staple everything else. 

One tip I would give is to leave more room than I have in the picture below. You want to make sure the fabric stretches enough to be covered by the chair when you put the seat back on. This edge was cutting it close. 

Step 5: Screw the seat back on. Bask in your awesomeness.


6 comments:

  1. Can I just pay you to fly to Oregon and do my chairs?? I've got the same white suede-yness happening. Why are you so craftyyy.

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  2. Our kitchen chairs use the same ugly material! Is there a market for this? Are the masses demanding more tan velour? You made a good choice--looks great.

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  3. if only my chairs had padding....

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  4. looks awesome. i love your taste in fabric. i would have (regretfully) picked out a hello kitty fabric or something.

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  5. ps your poster in the background reminds me of your orangina poster.

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