Detailed instructions for restoring a chair with wooden armrests. How to update an old chair or sofa

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Self-upholstery upholstered furniture– the task is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. To make the updated chair look modern, stylish and appropriate, you need to study the technology and strictly follow the instructions.

If the upholstery on an old chair has become unusable, do not rush to throw it away, just reupholster it with new fabric.

For the restoration to be successful, you need to take into account all the details; only with a thorough approach to the matter will the updated furniture look good. This scheme of work can be used to update any upholstered furniture. But if the worn-out sofa or chair has a complex shape, it is better to turn to professionals (Fig. 1).

Preparatory work

To reupholster a chair you will need not only materials and tools, you also need to have sufficient sewing skills and perseverance. Shouldn't be ignored preparatory stage, otherwise difficulties may arise at the most inopportune moment.

For successful reupholstery you will need:

screwdriver;
pliers;
anti-stapler;
furniture fabric;
foam;
padding polyester;
strong threads;
scissors, needles, pins;
sewing machine;
stapler with staples.

Figure 1. Chair diagram.

If the chair has wooden parts, you will additionally need sandpaper, stain or furniture varnish.

First of all, you need to photograph the furniture from different angles. This will greatly simplify the assembly process and avoid incidents. Once the alteration item has been captured, you can move on to the next stage.

The chair needs to be disassembled. Remove everything decorative elements and pillows. If you reupholster the surface and leave the wooden parts in a worn-out state, the overall impression will be hopelessly spoiled.

Next, you need to very carefully remove the old upholstery. It is important not to damage the fabric, as it will act as a pattern. You can use an anti-staple gun, a screwdriver and any other tools with a flat edge for this work. After the fabric is removed, you need to measure it and calculate how much fabric will be needed to sew new upholstery. It is important to take into account the supply of material for hems and darts.

It is necessary to assess the condition of the soft part of the chair. If the foam rubber shows signs of dirt and wear, it should be replaced. It is better to do this right away, so that after a few years the updated chair will not surprise you with a change in shape.

Figure 2. Fabrics such as tapestry, jacquard, matting, velor, and chenille are suitable for upholstering a chair.

After that you can go to the store for consumables. To work, you will need foam rubber 3-5 cm thick, standard or increased hardness. This sealant is used for furniture production, and can be purchased in specialized stores. You will need upholstery material; it is better to choose fabric labeled “furniture”. Tapestry, jacquard, matting, velor, and chenille are suitable for finishing upholstered furniture (Fig. 2).

When purchasing, you need to take into account the supply of material. The presence of a pattern on the fabric will increase the consumption by about 1-2 steps of repeating the image elements. And, of course, threads of a suitable shade must be durable, designed for working with furniture. Reinforced threads 45-70 LL are suitable (lavsan is an analogue of polyester).

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Intermediate stage of restoration

Once all the tools and materials have been prepared, restoration can begin.

The first step is to update the armrests, legs and all wooden elements. They must be carefully processed using sandpaper, covered with stain or varnish and left to dry. Figure 3. Carefully remove the old upholstery from the chair and disconnect all parts for further creation

new pattern.

Then you can move on to making new upholstery. The old one, if this has not been done before, needs to be ripped open, taking care not to damage the fabric. Each part should be numbered and set aside. After this, you need to mark and cut out the new upholstery (Fig. 3).

It is most convenient to do this on the floor. Marks are applied using a special marker, chalk or a simple pencil. It is more convenient to cut with large, sharp scissors. After all the parts are cut out, you need to process the sections so that the fabric does not unravel. The easiest way is to hem it using the double fold method or lightly singe it over an open fire. When choosing the second method, you need to act extremely carefully, checking the reaction of the material on unnecessary trim. After this, you need to sew all the details of the new upholstery on sewing machine . It’s better to “try it on” several times new case

rather than redoing everything.

Once the upholstery is ready, you can move on to the main part of the work on restoring the chair. if you have or a chair that looks outdated and ugly is probably due to the upholstery. So you shouldn’t throw it away right away, but give the old chair a chance to look beautiful again.

Repairing chairs sounds like a lot of work, but it's actually not that difficult. See for yourself by looking at examples of how an old chair can look after renovation.

Repairing chairs, replacing upholstery or reupholstering upholstered furniture can be quite labor-intensive and dirty, so they should not be done at home.

And since the old chair acquires new life, then it's worth adding a fresh coat of paint. You can cut a new board for the seat if the old one is too damaged or doesn't look strong enough. When refinishing chairs, first choose the fabric you want to use.

Then cut the fabric and fold it. Secure it.

This old chair has some great lines, but it doesn't look good enough with the old upholstery.

A new coat of paint and a refinished seat made the old chair look like new. The seat was removed and the dusty fabric was removed. After that, the old chair was painted.

An old chair with a rather nice design, but the upholstery was old and dusty, so the chair did not look attractive at all.

But new upholstery, with beautiful shade turquoise, looks very beautiful in combination with dark stained wood. You just need fabric and some free time.
After a certain time, a work chair becomes unusable, but if the old chair is comfortable enough so that there are no back problems, then it’s worth trying to repair the chair and give it a new look. new look.

You will need fabric, foam, batting, screwdrivers. First you need to disassemble the chair and then pull out the plastic backing. Separate the fabric and foam from the wood pieces and then measure and cut new foam.

If you want to repair chairs, you don’t necessarily need to think about it as complex project. An old chair will look like new even if all you do is apply a new coat of paint.

How to update an old chair or sofa. We change the upholstery ourselves

It’s easier than ever to take the old chair to the closet, take it to the dacha or even throw it out, then go and buy new furniture... But where is the guarantee that New furniture will be better? Are you sure that the new chair is made of high quality, from dry wood, that the new upholstery will be durable and practical and will not wear out immediately? But you can complicate your task, but at the same time win, not part with your dear thing) I suggest you restore your old favorite chair, which is associated with so many memories, so many positive moments.... I know from personal experience, such furniture will bring much more pleasure, because it is updated with your own hands.

Replacing upholstery is not as difficult a task as it might seem at first glance. The most important thing you will need is fabric. And also, foam rubber, if you want to make an old chair more voluminous and soft. Below I suggest you familiarize yourself with some useful things that you need to know before starting the restoration of any piece of furniture with upholstery: the properties that new upholstery fabric should have, what types of fabrics are most suitable for upholstery and how to calculate the fabric consumption for a chair, how to sew a cover for a sofa , as well as photographs of the work process. I will be glad if the information is useful to you) And I can also recommend where to buy fabric for new upholstery: of course, in the same Moscow House of Fabrics on Leninsky Prospekt, in which all the fabrics are from Europe and Asia, at a price lower than in other stores in the city. Here you can buy suitable fabric for upholstery, for curtains, and you can also inexpensively order curtains for any room and even order cornices (for your own homemade curtains). The store has over 3,000 fabric samples in stock. Here you will find fabric for every taste; in the store there are direct deliveries of fabrics from manufacturers in Italy, Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, Turkey, and China. A specialized sales room is at your service - there are always fabrics from previous collections at purchase prices. They will help you with the selection of fabric according to styles, patterns and other properties; there are always professional consultants and designers in the room. The store has two of its own ateliers; if you want to order curtains, they will sew them in a week. There is a regular customer savings card, periodic promotions with discounts on orders, and there is also a delivery and installation service. By the way, the House of Fabric is currently running a promotion for the month of October: if you simultaneously purchase fabric for curtains, curtain rods and order sewing curtains, you will receive a 10% discount on the entire order.

So, we’ve figured out where to buy fabric for upholstery and curtains), and now we’ll find out what fabric to choose and how many meters to buy to update an old chair:

Properties that upholstery fabric should have

The fabric must keep its shape and not wrinkle, it must be easy to wash, it must be impregnated with an impregnation that repels dirt and water, it must be durable and quite dense, it can be cleaned with soapy water, the fabric can be cleaned with a sponge or soft brush. All these points indicate the quality of the fabric. The more properties a fabric has, the better it is suitable for upholstering chairs.

What types of fabrics are preferred for upholstery of chairs?

The most popular fabrics are: chenille, jacquard, tapestry, nubuck or faux leather, flock, leather.

Calculation of fabric consumption

The most convenient way to determine how much fabric you will need to upholster a piece of furniture is to start calculating at the calico upholstery stage or when the old upholstery is still intact and you can take measurements from it. It is very important to approach this stage of work correctly: there is nothing more frustrating than discovering that there is not enough fabric. Always round the resulting values to big side, especially when purchasing fabric. It is useful to sketch out a sketch of the chair that is to be reupholstered and write down the dimensions of each part next to it. If the fabric you choose has a distinctive weave or pattern, use arrows to indicate its direction on the upholstery.

When measuring furniture for purchase decorative fabric Take the measuring tape to the farthest point of each piece. For example, inner part backrests should be measured from the back top crossbar to the inside rear crossbar. Measurements should be taken at the widest points along the corresponding frame crossbars. Remember that adding an allowance of at least 10 cm wide makes sewing much easier.

Start by measuring the inner armrest panel. Place the tape on the inside of the armrest, under the curl, circle it and lower it down to the seat, not forgetting to add 10 cm at both ends.

Measure the seat by placing a tape from the back rail between the back and seat rails, across the seat, along the front edge of the seat to the bottom edge of the front rail. Add 10 cm to each end.

Continue taking measurements of all parts of the chair. If you are going to cover the chair with a welt, depending on the measurements taken, calculate the required length of the welt. Remember that welt fabric is best cut on the bias. All furniture is different, some chairs have straight armrests, others have curved ones, others have buttons - try to take into account all the details that will need to be covered with fabric. If your chair has buttons, you will need to take the buttonholes into account when calculating your fabric usage. When measuring, run a tape through each hole.

Record the resulting numbers in the table. You can refer to it while working.

Draw the dimensions of the chair to scale on graph paper. Mark the maximum width and length of the panels, being careful not to adjust them. exactly to the dimensions of the chair, since this can be done during the sewing process. Cut out the panels and lay them out on a piece of fabric of the appropriate width, taken to the same scale. Exists standard width fabrics - 140, 200 cm. Find the most advantageous arrangement of parts so that as little fabric as possible is lost.

Plain fabric. The diagram on the left shows how you can lay out pieces on fabric without a distinct weave or design (this is one of several ways to lay out patterns on fabric). If you choose a fabric with a weave or pile, such as velvet, take this into account when calculating as these fabrics need to be laid in a specific direction so that the pile runs from top to bottom and from back to front.

Fabric with a pattern. If you intend to cover furniture with patterned fabric, you will need more of it to match the pattern. Measuring this type of fabric takes longer and requires careful planning. Measure the furniture parts, make patterns, as you have done before. On the patterns, mark the places where the pattern is repeated. The style and size of the design, as well as the length of the repeat, dictate the order in which they are laid out on the fabric. If the fabric has a large pattern, arrange the panels so that the pattern is centered. In this case, the design will fit almost entirely on the seat, as well as on the inner and outer panels of the backrest, and at least the main part of the design should fit on the armrests and ears. In our example, the panels for the ears are mirrored: the patterns on them are repeated, like reflections, and create balance. The same applies to the armrest panels. If the pattern on your fabric is repeated frequently, it is best to align the panels so that the pattern continues on the adjacent panel. For example, the inner back panel continues the seat panel. Don't forget about allowances and that the fabric will have to be attached to the frame. On an upholstered chair, the pattern should not visually disintegrate; it should be combined with the pattern on the adjacent panels. Panels on fabric with small patterns are best laid out in a certain order. Place the seat panel first, then the inner back panel to continue the pattern. Next, place the patterns for the inner panels of the armrests, remembering that the pattern on them should be symmetrical. The outer panels of the armrests should also be cut out in a symmetrical pair. Then place outer panel backrest, making sure that it matches the pattern with internal panel backrests and outer armrest panels.

To calculate the required amount of material, you will need to draw each part on a reduced scale and prepare a cutting diagram. Before marking the stitching lines, place the slipcover pieces on the sofa, right side down, and pin. Use the seams of the old cover as a guide to mark the stitching lines for the new cover.

Measurements. To make a new case, you need to very accurately determine all the dimensions. Take measurements of the sofa as shown in the two pictures below. This is how the dimensions of the cover parts are determined. Add a 4 cm seam allowance to the dimensions of each piece. The pattern of the part can be made using a cutting diagram. If the fabric has a large pattern, stripes or checks, add additional allowance to align it.

A new cover can extend the life of a still durable but heavily worn sofa.

Cutting diagram. Before cutting the fabric, draw a cutting diagram. On a reduced scale, mark the dimensions of each piece on graph paper, including seam allowances. If the width of the piece is greater than the width of the fabric, you will need to add pieces of the same size on each side or make the piece from two pieces sewn along a line through the center of the sofa.

Cut out all the details of the case according to approximate sizes. If the front and back sides of the fabric are difficult to distinguish by eye, mark the back of each piece. Using a centimeter, measure the width of the back of the sofa. Find the middle and mark it with a pin on the top of the sofa. Mark the middle of the back of the cover. Pin the middle of the back of the slipcover, wrong side out, to the middle of the back of the sofa. Pin the entire back of the cover to the back of the sofa.

Remove the pillows. Mark the middle of the seat back piece and place it in line with the center of the back piece already pinned to the sofa. Pin two pieces together. Holding the excess fabric, use tailor's chalk to mark a stitching line on the pieces.

When fastening parts together, small excess fabric will appear in all places where the sofa is not rectangular in shape. Trim off the excess, leaving a seam allowance of at least 1 cm. Connect the inner and outer armrest pieces in the same way as the backrest pieces. Mark stitching lines on the seat back and interior armrest piece where they meet the base of the seat. Pin the pieces together and sew them along the joining line.

Place the cushions in place and place the seat piece on top of them, wrong side out, leaving a fold allowance at the back and sides of the cushions. Pin and sew the folds of the seat piece to the back of the seat and the inner piece of the armrest along the marked stitching lines.

Sew the outer edges of the front of the seat piece to the side of the outer armrest piece. Do this on each side of the sofa. Turn the cover right side out and place it on the sofa, tucking it behind the pillows on all sides so that it does not move. Fold and pin the 1.25cm and 2.5cm edges to the backrest pieces and outer armrest pieces so that the seams are not visible when looking at the sofa from the front. The edges should be wide enough to allow Velcro to be sewn onto them.

Pin the Velcro in place to the facing edge of the outer armrest piece and inside the edge of the backrest piece. Fasten the Velcro so that the cover fits as best as possible. Remove the cover and sew the Velcro tape into place. Be careful as the needle will go through the braid and three layers of fabric. Place the cover back on the sofa and check the position of the skirt to ensure it fits properly. The “skirt” should have 1 cm allowance for the seam at the top and for the hem at the bottom.

Connect enough “skirt” pieces so that their length is three times the perimeter of the sofa, adding allowances to the end edges of each of the back cuts. Pin the folds as shown in the photo; For every 2.5 cm fold there is 7.5 cm of fabric. On the front side of the cover, use pins or chalk to mark a line 1 cm below the “skirt” attachment line. Place the “skirt” right side down on the cover so that its top is along the marked line (and the rest of the material is above the line). Sew on the “skirt”, leaving a 1 cm seam allowance.

Turn the skirt right side up and press the seam. Fold up, pin and sew the edge of the “skirt”. Turn the finished cover inside out. Use a sewing machine to sew a zigzag stitch around the edges of the material to reinforce them and give the cover a neater look.

Reupholstering upholstered furniture yourself is not as simple a task as it might seem at first glance. To make the updated chair look modern, stylish and appropriate, you need to study the technology and strictly follow the instructions.

If the upholstery on an old chair has become unusable, do not rush to throw it away, just reupholster it with new fabric.

Preparatory work

To reupholster a chair you will need not only materials and tools, you also need to have sufficient sewing skills and perseverance. You should not ignore the preparatory stage, otherwise difficulties may arise at the most inopportune moment.

For successful reupholstery you will need:

screwdriver;
pliers;
anti-stapler;
furniture fabric;
foam;
padding polyester;
strong threads;
scissors, needles, pins;
sewing machine;
stapler with staples.

Figure 1. Chair diagram.

If the chair has wooden parts, you will additionally need sandpaper, stain or furniture varnish.

The chair needs to be disassembled. Remove all decorative elements and pillows. If you reupholster the surface and leave the wooden parts in a worn-out state, the overall impression will be hopelessly spoiled.

Figure 2. Fabrics such as tapestry, jacquard, matting, velor, and chenille are suitable for upholstering a chair.

After this, you can go to the store for consumables. To work, you will need foam rubber 3-5 cm thick, standard or increased hardness. This sealant is used for furniture production, and can be purchased in specialized stores. You will need upholstery material; it is better to choose fabric labeled “furniture”. Tapestry, jacquard, matting, velor, and chenille are suitable for finishing upholstered furniture (Fig. 2).

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Intermediate stage of restoration

Once all the tools and materials have been prepared, restoration can begin.

new pattern.

Figure 3. Carefully remove the old upholstery from the chair and disconnect all the parts to create a new pattern.

rather than redoing everything.

After this, you need to sew all the parts of the new upholstery on a sewing machine. It’s better to “try on” a new case several times than to redo everything.

Reupholstery and assembly

The chair must be reupholstered step by step in disassembled form. For example, first cover the seat, then the back and small parts.

Place the frame of the part in front of you and place foam rubber on it. The edges of the softening layer may protrude slightly beyond the frame: this will soften the ribs and make the use of the updated furniture more comfortable. If you purchased thick and dense foam rubber, the corners can be cut off, making the transitions rounded.

Figure 4. Example before and after reupholstering a chair.

A layer of padding polyester will protect the foam from displacement and will greatly simplify the process of installing new upholstery. This non-woven material must be placed on top of the foam rubber and secured to the base using a stapler.

Then you can move directly to the upholstery. The fabric part must be placed on the base and carefully straightened. You need to start fastening according to the diagram, this will avoid displacement and skewing of the material. First, use 4 staples to secure the fabric to the ribs, approximately in the middle. Next, proportionally, stretching the fabric, fasten with staples. For example, 2 - on one side, 2 - on the opposite, and so on.

It is important that the material does not sag, but also does not stretch too much. Constant monitoring will allow the chair to be upholstered with high quality.

After tightening the last soft part, you can begin assembly. It is at this stage that it will come in handy detailed photo furniture. Remember how you disassembled the chair and repeat all the steps in reverse order. All screws and fastenings need to be tightened. If the chair has wheels, it makes sense to replace them with modern bearing ones.

If all the steps were carried out correctly, you should see a beautiful, updated chair (Fig. 4).

Knowing how to upholster a chair with your own hands is a very useful skill. Once you spend time and effort studying the technology, tomorrow you will be able to update the interior of your house or cottage on your own and without significant expenses.

Probably everyone in their home has old furniture (bedside tables, chairs, sofas and armchairs) that have become unusable over time. “It’s a pity to throw it away, and there’s not always enough money to buy a new one,” many people are immediately upset about this, not even suspecting that old furniture can be restored and restored.

Do-it-yourself repair and reupholstery of an old chair

Necessary tool

Let's move from words to action. In order to restore an old chair, we will need the following tools:

Hammer, pliers, screwdriver (flat),
Manual stapler, staples from 4 to 6 mm, scissors,
Wide sling (textile),
Foam rubber, batting, synthetic winterizer,
Fabric (1.5 – 2 m),
PVA glue, gauze.

Before you get started, you need to disassemble the old chair and see what's inside.

Typically this is wooden frame, foam rubber on the back and seat. It is held in place by rubber or textile slings.

Also included in the components are legs and armrests (polished or fabric-look). Back wall the chairs are secured with plywood. That's probably all.

After parsing:

We determine what needs to be replaced. We carefully knock out all the tenon parts with a rubber hammer so as not to damage the edges and preserve the polish.
Using a scalpel or a knife with a thin tip, we clean the grooves so that there are no glue residues inside.
We coat the tenon parts with PVA glue, and then wrap the bandage directly onto the tenon.
We carefully hammer everything into place and wait a day for it to dry completely.

Do-it-yourself chair reupholstery

Let's take a step-by-step look at the process of reupholstering a chair

Replacing foam rubber

The next stage of do-it-yourself chair restoration will be replacing the foam rubber. List of brands used in furniture production:

ST – standard type

EL – has a medium degree of hardness

HS – soft type

HL – extra hard type

HR – low degree of rigidity

ST – standard type,
EL – has a medium degree of hardness,
HS – soft type,
HL – super hard,
HR – low degree of rigidity, most often used in the manufacture of upholstered furniture.

In our case, HR is the best option.

It is best to cut foam rubber with a knife with a long blade sharpened on an abrasive stone. We cut in several stages.

Replacing passes (belts)

After we have decided on the foam rubber, we check the passes. They can be made of rubber or thick canvas fabric.

They are fixed on wooden frame with the help of nails, in rare cases they are broken through with staples.

We remove the old belts, measure their length and, with a little tension, replace them with new ones. The edges of the belt must be folded (folded at least in two). In this position they will serve for a long time and will not stretch under heavy weight.

The straps are tight, now you need to secure the foam. We coat the passes with foam rubber glue and carefully adjust the seat first, and then the back.

After we have the frame ready, we proceed to choosing the fabric.

Chair upholstery with fabric

Today the textile industry offers a wide range of fabrics for repair and upholstery of chairs.

Fabric for upholstery:

You need to remember one simple truth: if the fabric has a pattern or abstraction, you need to make sure that the image does not move during the pattern.

We cut out the front and back parts of the backrest from the first meter of fabric, and the seat from the remainder.

Having made the cut, we need to check whether we have maintained the dimensions correctly by covering the seat with a cut piece of fabric. Having set the angles correctly as shown in the figure, we begin to “shoot” our cover to the frame of the chair.

We fix the rest of the fabric with staples, and make sure to pull it towards ourselves.

The corners can be sewn by machine or, if not essential, by hand, using a fine seam.

At the moment of fixing the cover to the frame, we punch the staples at intervals of 3-4 cm. If these are nails with a wide head, then the distance should be slightly less.

Once we have changed the seat upholstery, we do the same with the backrest.

You should always remember that restoring a chair with your own hands always requires consistency in work, as well as attention.

When removing each of the parts, you need to remember where and how it stood. Some craftsmen use a camera for such purposes.

Restoration of frame parts

The concept of “restoration” includes not only reupholstery, but also restoration of the wooden parts of the chair. After time has passed decorative details(armrests, turned elements, curly chair legs) become unusable, that is, they become dull, the varnish surface wears off, and small cracks appear on the furniture frame.

What can be done in this case?

To solve this problem we will need:

Sandpaper,
Scraper,
Blade from a stationery knife.
Varnish, stain.

Every part needs to be sanded. You need to start with coarse grains, gradually moving to smaller ones.

Sanding should only be done in the direction of the grain. If you make movements against the grain, the varnish will definitely show transverse lines.

Many master restorers use drill with special sanding drums. They come in different widths and lengths and are very convenient for sanding hard-to-reach places.

After the parts have been sanded, carefully remove the dust with a damp cloth or foam sponge.
Apply nitro varnish with a soft brush until completely dry.
After the varnish has dried, you can run your hand over the surface and feel how the pile rises. Using the finest sandpaper, we carefully “knock down” the raised fibers, that is, we make the surface smooth.
Then you can apply a stain (alcohol, water or white spirit based) and only then cover it with any commercially available varnish.

Video: do-it-yourself restoration of an old chair

That's all the wisdom - how to easily and efficiently restore a chair at home.

Good luck to all masters!

Detailed instructions for restoring a chair with wooden armrests

In the article I will consider the conditions, and possible options restorations and alterations Soviet chair. I’ll tell you about the features that need to be taken into account when restoring old furniture. I will describe the requirements for the necessary materials and tools. I will consider the types of alteration of an old chair and provide original ideas to update furniture.

Main features of restoring an old chair

The process of restoring damaged furniture is not a partial restoration of parts or replacement of upholstery, it is giving a new look to an old chair, an opportunity to refresh the interior. Rework is carried out when the legs are wobbly, the upholstery is worn out, springs are sticking out, or the structure is loose.

The peculiarity of the restoration process is that it is quite difficult to do it yourself, so this matter is entrusted to professionals.

You can partially remake and restore upholstered furniture yourself:

dismantle the upholstery;
make a constriction;
legs are repaired or replaced.

It’s worth trying to restore furniture with your own hands if you have enough experience in furniture repair or if you don’t have enough money for quality materials.

The only downside to restoration is the lack of professionalism in restoration work.

Advantages of restoration at home:

cost savings;
the value of the interior item increases;
the interior is refreshed.

Required materials and tools

First you need to select a set of tools and materials.

You can use a standard set of tools, and a set of brushes and paints for a painter. Unavailable tools are purchased according to the recommendations of the master, so as not to damage the parts during work. Pure wood furniture is sensitive to floors and can dry out.

Required materials and tools:

chisel, spatula;
hammer, screwdriver;
stationery knife, wood glue;
set of brushes, roller;
acrylic paints, water-repellent varnish;
sanding machine, foam rubber;
stapler, sandpaper, new springs;
screwdriver, awl, large needles with silk threads.

Main types of modifications and materials

The restoration of upholstered furniture, like the restoration of an antique chest of drawers, is divided into types that can be combined.

Padding

This method does not affect the restoration of the frame. They're dragging here upholstery fabric. It is either attached to an old covering, which is not recommended by craftsmen, but it makes the chair look voluminous. Or they change the coating along with the filler.

High-quality and durable fabrics:

velor, corduroy;
eco-leather, jacquard;
flock, tapestry;
microfiber, chenille.

A thick crinoline is suitable for the inner lining of the filling. The density and elasticity of the material will not allow foam rubber and springs to dig into the upper upholstery.

The constriction is done like this:

- analyze chairs, even if there are wooden handles or back;

- unscrew the bolts, which fasten the legs to the frame;
- remove the armrests, disassemble the bottom;

- remove the upholstery from the seat, armrests, backrest;
- the old upholstery is applied to the new fabric, the parts are cut out according to exact parameters;

- foam rubber is cut according to the parameters of the bottom with an addition of 2-3 cm;
- springs are attached to the bottom, then the filler, and the structure is secured with internal upholstery;

armrests lined with foam rubber and inner fabric, the back is restored like its bottom;
the details of the cross are attached to the frame, covered with outer fabric.

Re-upholstery is done for the soft version. Furniture with wooden parts is subject to complete repair.

Upholstery

Restoration method for a chair with a rigid base. In appearance, the furniture has clear geometric lines, upholstered in thick fabric with thick foam inside.

To restore you need:

remove the top covering fabric;
remove the filler and its fastenings;
new parts are cut out from old parts;
the structure is checked for looseness, the damaged frame is replaced or restored;
The filler is stapled onto the new base, then the upper upholstery.

This method restoration is suitable for chairs with a solid wooden base.

Repair

General view of the restoration work. Combines the process of upholstery, reupholstery and complete replacement of the base. The structure is checked for damage, the legs are replaced, and metal mount for strength.

Restore the surface using paints, varnishes, additional tools. This method of restoration is quite complicated; the chair is given to craftsmen to work on.

What components may be needed?

When restoring office chairs or models with movable wheels, casters or crosspieces are needed. To avoid damaging the surface of the laminate or parquet, purchase sets of rollers with mechanical locking.

Complete renovation:

A master can update the chair more efficiently, but it is possible to restore it yourself. It is necessary to choose high-quality upholstery material. Restoring appearance furniture for the interior of the room. Then there will be no need to purchase new furniture.

How to reupholster a chair with your own hands

Reupholstering furniture with your own hands is a labor-intensive, long process that requires a wealth of experience and skills. For this reason, many people simply throw away old furniture, not realizing that they can restore it with their own hands. If you are good at working with your hands and have a rich imagination, reupholstering a chair with your own hands will not be difficult, especially if you follow the instructions.

Furniture restoration means restoring not only its functionality, but also its appearance.

New life for an old but beloved chair with your own hands

Making something with your own hands is a fascinating process that allows you to unleash your creative potential. It is not for nothing that in the age of factory production, handmade products are valued higher than their factory counterparts. Such a thing will definitely attract the attention of guests and will decorate your interior.

An old chair with torn upholstery can be turned into a chic, exclusive piece of furniture.

Having decided to reupholster an old chair yourself, you are free to choose finishing materials, and you can also save on buying a new chair. Any design, texture, the only limitation is your fantasy and imagination. And things made with your own hands are much nicer and closer than those bought in a store.

A variety of furniture fabrics for upholstering chairs

When choosing a finishing material, first of all, you need to pay attention to how to reupholster the chair, as well as strength and wear resistance indicators.

By selecting suitable material upholstery, pay attention to the presence of special impregnation. It will extend the service life and simplify fabric care. Therefore, before purchasing, check with the seller about the availability of impregnation.

Necessary tools and materials for sewing a cover

Let's look at the set of tools needed to reupholster a chair. Prepare them in advance so as not to waste extra time.

A furniture stapler is the main working tool with which upholstery is attached to the frame. You can purchase it at any construction or hardware store at a low price. You need to buy special staples of the appropriate size for the stapler. It is better to take them with a reserve so that you do not have to interrupt the work process.

Foam rubber or batting - if the old filler has lost its former elasticity, it is necessary to replace it with a new one. Sold at a hardware or construction store.

Furniture filler - foam rubber

Batting for filling upholstered furniture

A flathead screwdriver or pry bar for removing old staples.

Minimum set of tools for furniture repair at home

Hammer, pliers, tailor's scissors, adjustable wrench - all this will be needed to complete assembly and disassembling the chair.

Sewing machine, tailor's chalk or bar of soap, for sewing new upholstery.

You will need a sewing machine to sew a new chair cover.

Wire brush, coarse and fine sandpaper - for updating external wooden elements, as well as varnish or paint of the required shade.

Internal structure of an upholstered chair

Having prepared the entire set of tools, you can begin to disassemble the old chair. First of all, you need to lay it on its back to get to its bottom. Using a screwdriver, unscrew the legs and wooden armrests, if any.

We disassemble the bottom, for which we remove the old brackets. It is convenient to pick them up with a flat-head screwdriver and finally remove them using a pry bar. We remove the bottom upholstery, we need to get to the back of the seat. After this, we begin to remove the old upholstery using pliers. It is important to do everything with extreme caution, since the upholstery will be needed to cut new fabric.

Chair diagram for sewing new parts

To simplify the process, you need to mark the sequence of steps, this will be useful during reassembly. You can also mark which part was located where, so as not to get confused. Since the upholstery is secured with staples, we remove them using a flat-head screwdriver and a pry bar.

After dismantling the old fabric, you can evaluate the quality of the padding. If the foam rubber turns yellow and begins to crumble, it is better to replace it with a new one. If it has simply lost its shape, you can add a new layer of foam or batting on top. In places where fasteners remain, they should be removed for a better fit of the sheathing or filler.

Wooden chair frame

We take measurements, make patterns, leaving seam allowances

The next step is to take measurements from the old upholstery using a tape measure and record them separately. Then we go to the store and buy a canvas of the appropriate size. At this stage, you can choose the material, texture, and pattern to suit your taste. It is advisable to take the canvas 10% longer than the required length. In any case, the excess can be cut off, but if the length is not enough, it will no longer be possible to sew it on. For fabric with a pattern, specifically take more fabric to match the pattern on all elements of the chair.

We cut out and cut out parts from the main fabric

We place the old upholstery parts on the fabric, outline them with tailor's chalk, leaving a small margin.

Stages of sewing the side part of a chair cover

If the fabric is woven or piled, pay attention to the correct direction of the pile: from top to bottom and from back to front.

We replace soft padding - synthetic winterizer or foam rubber

To create decorative folds, mark the folds of the fabric and use sewing machine. Before sewing, secure each element to the chair frame with pins and check how it will look when finished. After a series of trials and experiments, you can begin the final sewing. Having cut out all the parts and brought them to their proper form, you can begin reupholstering.

We make cuts on the allowances in those places where one part is sewn to another

Before reassembly and the reupholstery should be updated external elements made of wood. To do this, remove the old paintwork using metal brush or coarse sandpaper. Then clean these parts with fine-grained sandpaper and coat with varnish or paint of your choice.

Secure the new case with staples

Once again, try all the parts on the furniture using pins: if everything fits, you can start covering it. We begin the process from the place where we finished disassembling the chair. We fasten one end of the part to the frame using staples, starting from the center, leaving a distance of 10 centimeters at the edges. Having secured it, we stretch the fabric from the front side and check for the absence of folds. If everything is in order, we tighten it and fasten the remaining sides. Checking again appearance. If everything is in order, we attach the edges of the upholstery to the frame.

Secure with staples internal part seats

Using the same principle, we fasten all the elements of the chair, observing the reverse order of disassembly. As a result, the fabric will completely wrap around the entire chair, and all the edges will be folded.

We make holes in the case for attaching the legs and screw the legs

Completely reupholstering furniture can take a lot of time, but the most important thing in this process is not to rush anywhere. It is important to note that different chairs have their own characteristics, so you will have to figure out many of the details yourself. The final result will definitely pay for all the reupholstery efforts and will delight you for a long time.

The finished chair after reupholstery with your own hands

Chair back restoration

We will separately consider repairing the backrest if it was broken for any reason. After complete dismantling upholstery, you need to determine the cause of the breakdown. These could be loose fastening bolts that need to be tightened.

If there is a crack in the frame, you can try to find a similar part and replace the broken one. Or carve a new one out of wood yourself.
If the cause of the breakdown is a loose tie strap, you need to tighten it. To do this, remove one of the edges of the tape and stretch it evenly, after which we fasten it with staples.
If the tapes have lost their previous properties, they must be replaced with new ones. The remaining excess is cut off with scissors so as not to spoil the appearance after reupholstering. It will work out beautiful armchair at no extra cost.

Video: DIY furniture repair. Restoration of armchairs

How to reupholster an old chair with your own hands - step-by-step instructions with photos

Do-it-yourself restoration of a chair may be necessary when the furniture loses its newness and beauty. You will definitely have to update the chair if it is your favorite and is often used, since the upholstery of the chair loses its attractive appearance. In some cases, restoration of an old chair is necessary from an aesthetic point of view - when its design does not fit into the interior after renovation. Restoring a boring chair with fabric will help solve these problems.

Reupholstering an old chair will not take much time and effort from the worker. But what delight you will experience when you see what came out of the old chair! If you bought a cheap chair with wooden arms, it needs a makeover. Upholstering a chair with your own hands will give it newness and freshness.

How to update an old chair with your own hands? First you need to stock up on tools and materials. It is recommended to give preference to a special fabric that is impregnated with a dirt-repellent composition and has increased wear resistance. Select the material you like based on photos or videos to imagine what the end result will be. Do not forget that very old chairs cannot be restored. Professionals should work with such furniture, since the seats may not hold up and fall apart. Before we remake one chair step by step, we will need:

a piece of thick fabric;
10 cm foam for the seat and 6 cm for the back;
textile sling;
stapler for furniture;
auxiliary tools - wire cutters, scissors.

Necessary for sewing a cover

Internal structure of the chair
Chair diagram

Before reupholstering the chair, it must be disassembled. A master class on how to properly remove a cover from a chair yourself is presented below. First, remove the bottom and retaining wall from the antique chair. At the Soviet chair they are held on with self-tapping screws or nails. When the plywood is still suitable or can be restored, we carry out the work with extreme caution. Under the seat there will be a foam pad that provides elasticity to the chair. It must be removed carefully. Now we twist the fastenings between the elements of the chair. If they are significantly rusted, apply a rust remover.

With the help of a supervisor, remove the cover and remove the lining from the back. You can make this process easier by using a screwdriver and pliers. If the home chair and plywood layer should remain intact as a result, do not pry up the fasteners one at a time, but remove them in order. Once the fasteners are removed, you can remove the lining and old upholstery. If the conditions of the apartment allow it, cover the floor with newspapers to prevent the old lining from crumbling. We restore the wooden frame separately. Before remodeling it, you need to get rid of the old varnish and paint, strengthen the loose elements and paint the structure.

Chair reupholstery

How to reupholster an old chair with your own hands step by step? We separate the back from the spring chair, carefully bending the staples. Now we begin to pull out the screws, get rid of the belts and fabric with which the products are covered. Once the contents of the casing are removed, the structure is thoroughly washed and dried. We assemble a frame from slings.

Scheme of tying the cover with a cord

Don't forget to cut longer pieces so that they can be folded easily. All cuts are sealed with fire. To prevent the sling from dangling on the legs, it must be well tensioned.

We make patterns. Don't forget to leave seam allowances. We cut out and cut out parts from the main fabric Replace synthetic winterizer or foam rubber

We make cuts in the seam allowances in those places where one part is sewn to another

Secure the new case with staples

We secure the inner part of the seat with brackets

We make holes in the case for attaching the legs and screw the legs

Our chair is ready

We pull the fabric over the slings and securely fasten it with a stapler. We cut the foam rubber. Do not forget that the length made should not completely cover the frame and back. For those making a chair with fabric covered with a pattern, we remind you - make sure that the image does not move out after repair. We update two patterns for the back from the first meter of fabric, and for the seat from the second.

Tighten the parts in such a way as to press the foam rubber against the wood. Tuck the fabric, working with a stapler from the middle to the ends. It is necessary to restore the chair in such a way as not to crush the material, otherwise it will be impossible to sit on it. However, we do not sew it loosely, because the fabric may become covered with folds at the legs. After you have covered all the parts of the restored chair, connect the back and seat. Now you know how to remake a piece of furniture without much effort.

All the furniture is getting old. One becomes a rarity, and the other stands in your home and upsets you every time you look at it. Actually, this is not a problem. In order for the furniture to sparkle with fresh colors again, it is enough to simply update its exterior, especially since reupholstering furniture with your own hands is a fairly simple and interesting process.

Before you remove the outer layer of your chair, you need to decide on the materials that will be needed to restore it. In almost all situations, it will be a matter of upholstery and filling. It's about about foam rubber, which serves as a layer between the frame of a piece of furniture and the upholstery. Most often, it is this component that becomes most unusable. But buying it is not a problem at all.

The upholstery material is another matter. What you really need to reupholster a chair is the upholstery. The problem also lies in the fact that usually not the entire set of furniture is restored, but only part of it - a separate chair or sofa.

It can be very difficult to find similar material. In no case should you throw everything away because of this; on the contrary, I advise you to act more confidently, because a unique piece of furniture can also positively refresh the room.

The fabric must be thick enough to withstand the load. Calculating the required area will not be very easy - it will take some time. You need to measure each individual part of the chair with a centimeter or ruler. Don't forget to take a little extra tissue.

This is where it begins practical part DIY instructions for reupholstering chairs. We are not afraid, nothing is difficult. First you need to remove the legs, if they are removable. If there are no legs with wheels, then you need to unscrew the entire bottom part armchairs. To do this, you need to turn the chair over, preferably with emphasis on the back and armrests.

Why start from the bottom? This is because the process of assembling furniture usually ends with this part. So it’s quite logical to start from here.

We unscrew the screws, self-tapping screws, too, if there are any, and pull out the staples. If you had the chair for a very long time, a not very pleasant smell might appear. In this case, it should be disinfected with a spray and, if possible, left to air outside.

Step-by-step instructions on how to reupholster a chair at home could not be completed without removing the external structure. Almost always this is the bottom support, less often the side parts that go into the armrests.

At this stage, you might still have separate legs, without wheels - they also need to be removed. Thus, we have a very interesting picture - nothing is holding the chair upholstery outwardly, so you can start removing it.

The lower part of the chair, most often, is closed with a separate fiberboard sheet. It rests behind a thin layer of upholstery that needs to be removed. It is better to work with gloves and a tool, even an ordinary screwdriver. Old furniture may have nails sticking out that are not visible behind the upholstery, so you need to remain careful.

Now we have access to the main fastenings of the outer trim. These should be staples that need to be gradually bent. Do this as carefully as possible, because you will still need this upholstery case when creating a new one. If the fabric does not pull back, do not apply extra effort, but just check, maybe you missed a bracket somewhere.

Unless you've taught a beginner's furniture assembly class, it's best to write down all the steps you take while disassembling furniture. After everything you do next, you may get the wrong way back from memory. It's better to walk on your own breadcrumbs than to look at the sun and the side of the rock where the moss grows.

In pursuit of additional reliability, manufacturers often add additional fabric fastenings. Usually they go under the first layer of upholstery, and are covered with fabric on top.

Pay attention to the places between the staples that you removed earlier, because this is where the insurance may be hiding. These will be longer, and therefore more difficult to pull out. If you can remove them carefully enough without damaging them, you can put them back during assembly.

Now that all fasteners have been removed, you can begin to remove the main part of the upholstery. The foam or batting underneath may tear during this process. It's okay, because most likely you will need to replace this layer. At the same time, you can make it thicker so that the furniture is softer.

If you see several individual parts, in which the filling has lost its properties - it is better to replace the entire filling, removing the old layer.

There are a lot original ways reupholstering old chairs and other pieces of furniture. At this point, you need to decide whether you want to stick with the old style of chair, or try something new. It will depend on this new cut upholstery. You can sew it yourself, you can go to a studio - the choice is yours.

Next we install a layer of filler in the form of foam rubber or batting, after which it needs to be secured. Then you just need to go in the opposite direction and then, having reached the bottom, fasten the new upholstery, install the bottom and legs. This completes the re-upholstery.

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