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I finally tackled my first furniture project. I’m not sure why furniture projects are so much more intimidating than craft projects in my mind. This one wasn’t any more expensive than a lot of craft projects. But somehow furniture seems so much more a serious and impressive project. And that always frightened me off from attempting a furniture redo.
Until I met this chair on Craigslist.
It was only $5 and I liked the simple modern lines. I figured for $5 it was worth a try. If it worked great, if not, then I’d spent the cost of one fast food meal on the experiment.
I don’t know what the chair looked like when it was new, but the seat fabric was faded and dirty (it looked much worse in person).
I’d found a beautiful fabric shower curtain on sale for $14 that I’d originally planned to use. Then I got cold feet and realized I was willing to risk $5 on the reupholstery experiment, but not $19 (call me risk adverse, don’t call me cheap). I dug through my impulsive fabric purchases. I had this pretty blue graphic fabric that I’d bought to cover cardboard storage boxes ( uhh, they haven’t been done yet). The blue fabric would work perfectly, would use up some of my fabric stash and not cost a dime.
First, I wiped down the wood chair with a damp cloth and a lot of elbow grease. Then I flipped it over and unscrewed the screws in the 4 corners.
I used a cloth to clean the fabric on the seat well since I just wanted to upholster over the existing seat. After the seat had dried, I flipped it over on the fabric and cut around the seat leaving about a 4 inch margin. I centered the seat on the fabric so that the lines lined up with the front edge of the chair seat (don’t want the wonky lines of crooked fabric).
I pulled each side tight (but not too tight) and folded the edge of the fabric under to make it more stable for stapling. I stapled 3 staples in the middle of the sides. I did the same with the front and the back edges of the seat.
I folded each corner starting with a hospital corner fold (like you do with bedsheets) and then adjusted the folds so they wrapped more smoothly around the corner. I stapled each step of the fold down well.
I went back along all the edges and stapled them down well. And then reattached the seat with the 4 screws.
I don’t know if I’m more excited with how beautiful the chair turned out or with how easy and quick it was. If you can use a screw driver, a pair of scissors and a staple gun, then you can definitely tackle a reupholstery project. I now shake my head at how intimidated I was before. And this entire redo project took me less than 30 minutes and only cost $5! I’m now on the look out for more chairs.
I’m a mom of 3, a veteran, military spouse. I’ve moved into 20+ homes all around the world. My passion is helping busy people make the space and time for what’s really important to them. Learn more about Organized 31 and me.
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Thanks, Holly. I used a medium strength stapler I picked up in Japan 15 years ago. It’s definitely a crafting stapler, but I’m pretty sure that there are sturdier ones made.
Thanks so much for letting me feature your cheap and easy chair reupholstery chair on I’ve Got The Monday Blues. This is a beautiful job and blue.Loves!
I love the new look of the chair! Fantastic work!
Wishing you a lovely day.
xoxo
I just love this! You have inspired me to reupholster my dining room chairs! Now to find some fabric I love!
Great update and so economical! Love this! Xo,Heather P.Spunky real deals
Susan – You are brilliant! Did you use a regular stapler or an industrial strength one? Hugs, Holly
Thanks, Holly. I used a medium strength stapler I picked up in Japan 15 years ago. It’s definitely a crafting stapler, but I’m pretty sure that there are sturdier ones made.
You did a great job! Know I can’t wait to see what your next furniture piece will be!
Great job!! It looks great!!
What a pretty fabric you picked!
Thanks so much for letting me feature your cheap and easy chair reupholstery chair on I’ve Got The Monday Blues. This is a beautiful job and blue.Loves!