A step-by-step tutorial on how to reupholster dining room chairs yourself! Using only four supplies, this tutorial is quick, easy and perfect for beginners.
I completed this dining room chair Facebook Marketplace flip about a year ago. I got this set of 6 chairs for $10/piece. They are solid wood and well built. Much better than anything I could find in that price range brand new. However, with most Facebook Marketplace finds they were dated.
The chairs and the table I also got second hand did NOT go together, so I knew I had to work a little DIY magic to achieve cohesiveness. I had so much fun refreshing the table and chairs the first time. But to be honest, despite the fun, refinishing furniture is a LOT of work. After the big reveal, I settled with well enough and enjoyed the dining room for about a year just as it was.
For better or for worse, something you should know about me is I can never leave well enough alone. My wheels started turning, thinking about a phase two dining room refresh. I thought adding wall moulding would bring character and elegance, so I installed DIY picture frame moulding and wrote a step by step tutorial here. Project #2 was reupholstering the captain chairs! I’m going to walk you through that process today.
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience which may reward me in the event of a sale. Note that I only recommend tools and products I have personally used and loved.
SUPPLIES TO REUPHOLSTER YOUR DINING ROOM CHAIRS
-Screwdriver
-Scissors
STEP 1: Remove cushions
I’m not sure if all chairs are the same, but my cushions are screwed in and the hole is accessible from the bottom of the chair. A plain old screwdriver does just fine to remove all four screws. Make sure and keep track of the screws to make sure you don’t lose them! I usually keep them all together in a baggie.
STEP 2: Measure and Cut Fabric
After browsing for fabric online, I narrowed it down to a few options and went to Joann’s to look at the fabric in person. I chose a soft, faux leather from Better Homes and Gardens. I liked the olive green fabric that was already on the other 4 chairs, and thought this brown color would help to bring out the earthy tones in the rug.
For two chairs, the recommendation I found online recommended 2 yards of fabric. This was honestly twice the amount I needed- I could have done both chairs with just one yard. You live and you learn.
First you will want to lay out your fabric, then place the cushion face down on top of it. Just like you would measure wrapping paper to wrap a box, you want to make sure you have enough extra on all the sides to pull up and around the cushion to staple.
STEP 3: Staple
After your fabric is laid out and has been cut, it’s time to secure it with staples. I used the same staple gun I used when recovering my camper cushions, and in much the same manner.
First, I pulled the fabric up and stapled the top. Next, do the sides. You want to make sure and pull the fabric as tightly as possible. To help, I kneeled on top of the cushion and pulled to get a taught wrap.
I will also note- be mindful of your screw holes! I tried to staple the fabric shallow of the hole when possible, but on 2 sides the hole was so near the edge I had to pull the fabric up and over it. To mark the holes, I pushed a finishing nail through the fabric and into the hole.
Once the four sides are finished, gather and staple the corners. Just make sure you gather it as evenly as possible. There will be extra fabric, but it looks fine as long as it’s pulled evenly across the corner.
STEP 4: Screw Cushions Back On
Once you have completed steps 1-3 on all cushions, it’s time to reattach them to the chair frame. Find the screws and use your screwdriver to screw all sides back in. If you had to mark any holes with nails through the fabric, remove them first before trying to replace the screws. Mine pushed through the fabric just fine, and easily screwed back on to the chair frame.
I like this fabric so much better than the old, stained beige fabric that was original to the chairs. This is such a doable DIY, and very beginner friendly. I hope you enjoy.
