How to Upholster a Living Room Chair Like a Pro?

Transforming the look of your living room chair through upholstery is a rewarding DIY project that can breathe new life into your furniture.

Discover the secrets to achieving professional results in this comprehensive guide.

Learn why reupholstering is key and master the art of giving your chair a stylish makeover.

how to upholster a living room chair

To upholster a living room chair, you will need to start by making welting, sewing it to the side panel, attaching the sides to the seat, and attaching the back panel.

Trim any excess fabric, staple the new cover to the frame, and sew welting to the fabric.

Use a flathead screwdriver to tuck fabric underneath, ensuring it is taut and properly secured.

Consider using fabric glue or upholstery tacks for a polished finish.

It is important to avoid reupholstering over existing fabric, as this can make the chair bulky and lead to seepage of stains.

Key Points:

• Make welting and sew to side panel
• Attach sides to seat
• Attach back panel
• Trim excess fabric and staple cover to frame
• Tuck fabric underneath with screwdriver
• Consider fabric glue or upholstery tacks for finishing

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Making Welting For Upholstery

• When embarking on the journey of upholstering a living room chair, one of the first steps is to create welting for a professional finish. Welting, also known as piping, adds a tailored look to furniture. To make welting, you will need to cut strips of fabric on the bias or diagonally across the grain. This helps the fabric to curve smoothly around corners.

• After cutting the strips, fold the fabric in half with the raw edges together and insert a piece of cord or piping. Using a zipper foot on your sewing machine, stitch close to the piping to create a seamless look. Once you have completed sewing the welting, trim any excess fabric to ensure a clean and neat appearance.

Sewing Welting To Side Panel

With the welting ready, it’s time to attach it to the side panel of the chair. Start by pinning the welting along the edge of the side panel, ensuring the raw edges are aligned. Using a zipper foot on your sewing machine, stitch the welting to the side panel, keeping the stitching close to the piping. Take care to sew accurately to achieve a professional finish.

After sewing the welting to the side panel, trim any excess fabric to maintain a clean edge. The welting will provide a polished look and help define the structure of the chair. Pay attention to detail and maintain even stitching for a cohesive appearance.

• Pin welting along the edge of the side panel
• Use a zipper foot on the sewing machine
• Trim excess fabric for a clean edge

Attaching Sides To Seat

Now that the side panels are prepared with the welting attached, it’s time to secure them to the seat of the chair.

Place the side panels along the edges of the seat, ensuring they are aligned correctly. Using upholstery pins or clips, secure the side panels to the seat to hold them in place before attaching them permanently.

Using a staple gun, staple the side panels to the underside of the seat, pulling the fabric taut to avoid any wrinkles or sagging. Staple along the entire edge to ensure a secure fit. Repeat the process for the other side panel, ensuring both sides are attached evenly for a symmetrical appearance.

• Ensure side panels are aligned correctly with the seat
• Use upholstery pins or clips for temporary hold before permanent attachment
• Secure side panels with staple gun, pulling fabric taut to prevent wrinkles
• Staple along entire edge for a secure fit.

Attaching Back Panel

After securing the side panels to the seat, it’s time to attach the back panel of the chair. Follow these steps:

• Place the back panel against the back of the chair frame, ensuring it is centered and aligned properly.
• Use upholstery pins to hold the back panel in place before attaching it permanently.

Tip: Use a staple gun to staple the back panel to the frame. Start from the center and work your way outwards. Pull the fabric taut as you staple to create a smooth and tight finish. Trim any excess fabric for a clean edge. Make sure the back panel is securely attached for a cohesive look to the chair.

Trimming Excess Fabric

• With the main fabric pieces of the chair attached, it’s important to trim any excess fabric to achieve a polished look.
• Using sharp fabric scissors, carefully trim any protruding fabric along the edges of the chair.
• Take your time to ensure clean and precise cuts for a professional appearance.
• Trimming excess fabric also helps to reduce bulkiness and ensures a smooth finish when attaching the cover to the frame.
• Pay attention to details and trim any uneven edges to maintain a clean and uniform appearance.
• Proper trimming is crucial in achieving a high-quality upholstered chair.

Stapling Cover To Frame

After ensuring the fabric is neatly trimmed and all main pieces are securely attached, it’s time to staple the new cover to the chair frame.

Starting from one side, pull the fabric taut over the frame and staple it in place. Move systematically around the chair, pulling the fabric tightly as you staple to avoid any wrinkles or sagging.

• Use a staple gun with heavy-duty staples to secure the fabric firmly to the frame.
• Ensure the fabric is smooth and free of any creases as you staple it in place.
• Work methodically to cover the entire frame, securing the fabric evenly on all sides.

Remember: A well-executed stapling process is crucial for a professional-looking chair cover.

Sewing Welting To Fabric

• As the cover is securely stapled to the frame, it’s time to add a final touch of welting to the fabric. Pin the welting along the edges of the chair covering, aligning the raw edges together. Use a sewing machine with a zipper foot to stitch the welting to the fabric, maintaining even stitching along the piping.

• Sewing welting to the fabric adds a decorative and structured touch to the chair. Take your time to ensure accurate sewing and a seamless look. The welting will give a professional finish to the upholstered chair, enhancing its overall appearance.

Tucking Fabric With Screwdriver

• To achieve a clean and polished look, tuck any excess fabric underneath using a flathead screwdriver. Carefully insert the screwdriver between the fabric and the frame, gently tucking the fabric to create a neat edge. Work your way around the chair, ensuring all excess fabric is tucked in securely.

• Tucking the fabric with a screwdriver helps to create a crisp and finished appearance to the upholstery. Take care not to damage the fabric or the frame while tucking, and ensure that all edges are smooth and well-tailored. This step adds a professional touch to the upholstering process.

Securing Fabric Tautly

• Throughout the upholstering process, it is crucial to ensure that the fabric is pulled taut and secured properly to avoid any wrinkles or sagging.
• Pull the fabric firmly as you staple it to the frame, ensuring a smooth and wrinkle-free surface.
• Taut fabric gives the chair a polished and professional appearance.
• Take your time to adjust and tighten the fabric as you work around the chair, ensuring that it is evenly stretched on all sides.
• Secure the fabric with staples or upholstery pins to keep it in place before finalizing the attachment.
• Upholstering with taut fabric is essential for a well-finished and visually appealing result.

Using Glue Or Tacks For Finishing

• To add a final touch of finesse to your upholstered living room chair, consider using fabric glue or upholstery tacks to secure any excess fabric and provide a polished finish.
• Apply fabric glue along the edges of the chair to tack down any loose fabric, ensuring a clean and seamless appearance.
• Alternatively, upholstery tacks can be hammered into the frame to secure excess fabric and give the chair a tailored look.
• Take care to space the tacks evenly and align them neatly along the edges for a professional finish.
• Using glue or tacks for finishing touches elevates the overall appearance of the upholstered chair.

FAQ

Can I reupholster a chair myself?

Yes, if you’re comfortable using tools like a staple gun, screwdriver, and sewing machine, you can definitely reupholster a chair yourself. It can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to give new life to an old piece of furniture while showcasing your creativity and skills. Just make sure to research and follow proper techniques to ensure a successful outcome.

Is it cheaper to reupholster or buy new?

Deciding between reupholstering and buying new furniture depends on the extent of repairs needed. While reupholstering can be a cost-effective option for minor fixes, extensive repairs may end up costing as much as purchasing a brand-new piece. It’s essential to weigh the repair costs against the price of a new item to make the most economical choice.

What is the average cost to reupholster a living room chair?

The cost of reupholstering a living room chair can vary widely, typically falling between $50 to $2,000. Nationally, the average cost for customers stands at around $800. This range takes into account factors such as the size of the chair, fabric selection, and any additional details or modifications desired by the customers. It’s important to get quotes from multiple upholsterers to ensure you get the best value for your reupholstery project.

Can you reupholster a chair over existing fabric?

Yes, you can easily reupholster a chair over existing fabric as long as the old fabric is not darker than the new fabric you’re using. This can save you time, effort, and materials, making the reupholstering process more efficient and cost-effective. By layering the new fabric over the old, you can give your chair a fresh look without the need to remove the existing fabric, making it a convenient solution for updating your furniture.

Sources:
https://www.angi.com/articles/consider-reupholstery-instead-new-furniture.htm#:~:text=Though%20reupholstering%20can%20be%20a,affordable%20and%20almost%20always%20worthwhile.
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/cost-to-reupholster-chair/#:~:text=Highlights,an%20average%20of%20%24800%20nationally.
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/diy-upholstery-tips-and-tricks#:~:text=So%20long%20as%20the%20old,even%20upholster%20right%20over%20it.
https://www.bhg.com/decorating/do-it-yourself/fabric-paper-projects/diy-chair-upholstery-guide/