How to reupholster a chair cushion

If you would like to give your kitchen or dining room chairs a fresh, new look without spending a lot of money, you may consider reupholstering them. Here are some simple, easy tips to help you.

Chair cushion reupholstering steps:

1. Turn chair upside down and use screwdriver to remove the cushion you are going to reupholster.
2. If you would like, you can leave the old upholstery attached to give the chair an extra layer of padding.
3. Select new covering for your cushion. You can use something as simple as an old tablecloth to recover the chair.
4. Lay fabric down and place cushion upside-down on top of fabric. Cut fabric out around cushion, leaving enough fabric on each side to fold over onto cushion.
5. Starting with the front, adhere fabric to the cushion using the staple gun, and staple every few inches across. Repeat with the back of the cushion.
6. To complete the sides, fold fabric on the sides as you would if you were putting sheets on a bed, forming “hospital corners” to tuck fabric in tightly and neatly. Adhere to the cushion using the staple gun. Repeat for the other side of the cushion.
7. Neatly trim excess fabric hanging from the stapled edges of the cushion, cutting close to the staples.
8. Reinforce the corners of the cushion with a few extra staples.
9. Use screwdriver to attach the reupholstered cushion to the chair.

Chairs with cushions to be reupholstered

Staple gun

Short staples (5/16 inch)

Screwdriver

Scissors

Fabric for reupholstering