Hello! I am finally revealing the vintage bamboo chair reupholstery project I completed! I scored 4 vintage bamboo chairs via Facebook Marketplace and only paid like $30 for them. It was insane. You already know I debated whether or not to paint these babies white, and I am happy to report, I kept the wood as is. It’s kind of weathered and just beautifully Wabi Sabi. I wanted a happy and colorful fabric to complement the wood, and today, I’m teaching you how to reupholster a chair EASILY.
Inspired by The Makerista, I started thrifting in November and became quickly addicted. I’ve taken a little bit of a thrifting break, however, because as you can imagine, transporting furniture in a city where people don’t have cars is, well, DIFFICULT. I went to New Jersey for a coffee table (that was an ordeal) and went to SoHo for my bamboo chairs. I think for a while, I’m going to start thrifting small decor items that can fit in a bag. That seems safest for my relationship with my fiance (LOL).
Full disclosure: I am teaching you how to reupholster a chair after only doing it once myself. It’s that easy. I even cut some corners on this project (which is TOTALLY okay!). The great thing about reupholstering such a small surface area is that you can cut corners invisibly. More on that later. I leisurely reupholstered 4 chairs from start to finish while talking and watching TV in a little under 2 hours. Breaks were taken and if I really concentrated, I could have busted this out in about an hour. So, this is in no way a huge undertaking.
Why Reupholster?
I’m glad you asked, person in my computer. You know that I am all about DIYs and keeping things out of landfills. I am not super down with the throw away culture that we have adopted. Fast fashion and fast furniture end up in landfills…you guessed it…fast. It is far better to buy quality pieces and then give them a makeover every so often as your style and tastes change.
I know, I know. Quality pieces are pricey. But, my friend, that is only if you buy new, and we won’t do that! The best thing you can do for your home is to scout your thrift stores, estate sales, Craigslist ads, Facebook Marketplace listings, etc. Find quality secondhand furniture in your area for pennies on the dollar. Knowing how to reupholster a chair is a skill that will serve you the rest of your life.
Want to change up your dining decor? Reupholster your chairs for $20 like I did. Office chair lacking pizzazz? Find some modern fabric and get to work! You are now the creator of your home. You are no longer limited to what random people have selected as the fabric they will put on their in store furniture. You know how to reupholster a chair so you can create ANYTHING.
Knowing how to reupholster a chair and make pillows and curtains will literally transform your home into a design destination that is unique only to you. You are essentially customizing your space, which is a service that costs thousands. You know “bespoke”, AKA the fancy word for custom/tailored? Your entire home could be bespoke. Oh, you fancy, huh?
Tools
Screwdrivers: (flat head and Phillips head) | scissors | staples | staple gun | BONUS: wrench
Just in case: staple puller
For this project, you only need 4 tools and 1 bonus tool! A manual or electric screw driver (flat heat or Phillips head, most likely), scissors, staples, staple gun, and a bonus wrench. Because my chairs are so old (from the 1950s), some of the original screws have been replaced so I ended up needed 2 different types of screwdrivers. Depending on the type of screws in your chair, you might need something different.
Personally, I was able to get the screws out with a manual screwdriver but if yours are in there good and tight you might need something with more power than your arm; in that case, use an electric screwdriver. I find it easier to use a manual screwdriver when getting into nooks and crannies. You might need a bonus wrench to also help tighten or loosen any tough screws; I find the grip to be easier (physics, man!).
I also HIGHLY RECOMMEND taking this time to inspect the screws on the rest of the chair, especially if yours is vintage like mine. Thankfully, I think the seller of my chairs had already tightened all the screws, but if my chair was from the 1950s and had not been tightened, that could have made for a bad fall for someone trying to sit. So for safety, please inspect all other screws/nuts/bolts and tighten accordingly.
Ok, let’s get started! First off, the fabric I am using is this Genevieve Gorder print from Fabric.com. This isn’t sponsored by the way, and although Genevieve personally commented on my Instagram that I did a great job on this project (OMGGG!!), she has no idea who I even am haha. I just love the selection on fabric.com and that is my go source for home projects.
How to Reupholster a Chair EASILY
1. Flip chair and locate screws
It is very important to inspect your chair to see how it is put together. I mistakenly started just unscrewing screws and luckily I asked my partner to double check my work and, yeah, I was removing screws that weren’t even connecting the seat. So do what I say, not what I do. The seat should mainly be connected by screws on the bottom of the seat, so start there.
2. Remove screws with screwdriver and set aside
Use manual or electric screwdriver and a wrench for extra assistance if necessary (sometimes the screws are at weird angles).
3. Remove seat from chair
**Remember when I told you I was cutting corners (no pun intended)? Because this is a simple upholstery project, I am not removing the original fabric and am just stapling new fabric over the original. By doing it this way, you’re saving yourself work and also using the previous fabric as a template so you know where to put your staples. Plus, pulling out staples is the worst.
4. What it should look like
This is what you are left with after you removed the seat. Just the frame!
5. Trace and cut
Lay out your fabric UPSIDE DOWN and place seats on it fabric side down, leaving at least 3 inches border around each chair for what I’m calling your “anti-oops allowance”. Trace lightly around each seat with a colored pencil to make your template. Then cut your traced seat with some sharp scissors.
6. Start stapling at center working outward
Arrange your seat on your traced fabric with at least 3 inches allowance. Pull bottom fabric taut and start stapling working from the center out to the sides to ensure your work is even. Place staples about 1/2 inch apart.
7. Corner Management 1
This is the toughest part of the whole project, and even this isn’t that tough. My strategy is to act like I am wrapping a present. I first fold one side over and staple it a couple times. Your staples will look crazy on the corners, that’s normal. Corners are tricky!
8. Corner Management 2
After making your first fold in step 7, rotate seat 90 degrees clockwise (I just find this easier). The edges of my chair are slightly rounded, so I chose 2 vertical folds that will maximize smoothness. It’s a good idea to play around with how to best to fold your corners without creating weird fabric bunches. The key to this is your staples looking crazy; so don’t worry! If the corners are smooth, you have succeeded, even if your staples are everywhere.
9. Trim excess
I leave about an inch of fabric border around the staples. The reason I do this is because if down the road I need more cushion in the seat, I can pull the staples out, re-stuff the seat, and still have enough fabric to staple in the exact same place. Things can always change with upholstery projects, so I always like to do something my future self will thank me for.
10. Reinforce corners
After I have worked my way around all sides stapling, I go back and add staples to rthe corners. It doesn’t look pretty, and it might not even be necessary, but it makes me feel like it’s suuuuuper secure. Plus, after making those folds, you have more fabric on the corners and it’s just good sense to make sure they stay put.
11. Place seat back on and re-screw
Here’s a hack: flip chair upside down and place its seat on the seat of another chair for balance. Without doing this, it’s a little difficult to try to screw the seat back on while holding it in place. Use gravity for ease. Also, try your best to find the original screw holes, but if you can’t find them (because they are covered in fabric), no worries. Just make new ones. The best way to find the screw holes that are under the fabric is to just feel around for a divet; that’s the original hole!
12. TAH DAH!
Congratulations! You just learned how to reupholster a chair EASILY! It wasn’t so bad now, was it? This is nothing compared to my dreadful vintage sofa upholstery project of 2015 (I don’t wanna talk about it). You have successfully nailed (pun super intended) this vintage upholstery project!
Learning how to reupholster a chair is very handy now that Marie Kondo has knocked all our socks off. You might find better than average vintage furniture options at your thrift stores since everyone is clearing out their clutter. I for one, have spent 2 days this week KonMari-ing my apartment and have 10+ bags of donations (none of them are home decor, are you crazy??).
So, take a look at the thrift stores in your area; I bet you will come across some great fashion, decor, and book finds! One of my absolute favorite styles is a vintage furniture piece that has been reupholstered with a modern fabric. I think it is sooooo insanely beautiful. So when shopping, look at the bones of the furniture not the fabric. You know how to repholster a chair so if you see a sturdy piece with great lines, get it!
-Kristen
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