A chair covered with a hose. Correct reupholstery of chairs with your own hands

Old furniture in the house usually brings melancholy and despondency. Holes and abrasions in the upholstery, peeling paint and unfashionable design make you want to convoy boring interior items to the nearest landfill. And even if the new chair is flimsy and unreliable, there are so many positive emotions from updating the interior. But you can get much more pleasure by giving a second life to an old thing. Creative potential is in each of us, and some tips will help to realize it.

Methods for restoring old furniture

Restoring old furniture is a labor-intensive process, but undoubtedly creative. Usage various techniques, the wealth of choice of materials and their combinations allows you to get a unique thing of its kind. The methods used in repairs depend on the type of furniture and the degree of its damage, but they are all united by the preparatory stage: removing the old coating from the surface wooden product in any available way, for example, sandpaper, starting from coarser and ending with fine-grained.

• Traditional methods of updating furniture include: varnishing and staining. In this way, you can update the coverage partially or completely.
• Another popular and inexpensive way is lamination, that is, covering the surface with a film. It is more suitable for flat surfaces. When gluing, it is important to start from the center, gradually moving towards the edges. This will avoid unsightly bubbles.

• Veneer coating– This is a more professional type of restoration. The materials you will need are special glue, an iron and the actual veneer sheets. The technology is not very complicated - 2 layers of glue are applied to the surface, veneer is applied and ironed from the center to the edges. The method is somewhat similar to the previous one, but the result looks much nobler.
• Of the fashionable trends in furniture renovation, greater preference is given to techniques decoupage, craquelure, paint painting.

If the object of restoration is upholstered furniture, for example, a chair, then in addition to basic measures, it will probably be necessary to change the upholstery. When updating soft surfaces, sometimes it is enough just to alter the decorative fabric. But most often, internal breakdowns that require major repairs are hidden under the cover.

What features of chairs need to be taken into account when restoring?

Before you begin repairs, it is important to determine the type of chair, its purpose and design features. It is necessary to assess visible damage and try to predict possible internal ones. This data will help us understand what tools and materials will be useful to us. Several classifications will be discussed below.

The following groups are distinguished by purpose:

• For home. This group includes chairs for the kitchen, living room, office and other rooms. Most often they are universal and can be used in any room of the apartment;
• For the street Most often, models are made of plastic and polymers. There are examples of wooden outdoor chairs, but they must be treated with moisture-resistant impregnations;

• Office chairs are mobile, have a back and sometimes armrests, and are equipped with height adjustment;
• Bar chairs are up to 80 cm high and come with or without backrest. The seat of a bar stool is most often round; the presence of upholstery depends on the model.

Depending on the method of making the frame, there are the following chairs:

• Carpentry chairs are the easiest to make, which were made during labor lessons at school;

• Chiseled- so named because all round elements are made on a machine;

• Bent chairs are made using special equipment. The wood is treated with steam, given the desired shape and dried;

• Cast or stamped models are made from metal or plastic.

According to the type of seat, chairs are divided into the following options:

• Tough. These are models without flooring;
• Semi-soft. These include chairs without spring block with a foam pad of 2-4 cm;
• Soft chairs. For elasticity, they are equipped with springs and a layer of foam rubber, the average thickness of which is 3-5 cm.

By the presence of armrests:

• Chairs with armrests can be hard or soft, upholstered in leather or textiles.

Removing old upholstery and inspecting the frame

The initial stage of reupholstering a chair is its disassembly. When dismantling each part, remember and mark what was where, this will make it easier to assemble the finished product. The first step is to remove the seat; to do this, you need to remove all the fasteners (bolts, nails, staples, metal plates). The backrest is disassembled in the same way, if there is one.

After this, you should inspect the frame of the chair for hidden damage, cracks, loose joints, check the condition of the springs; those that have become unusable can be easily replaced with jute tape. Next is the disassembly of the seat and back: removing the staples and carefully removing the finishing fabric and filling. You shouldn’t throw them away right away, as it’s easy to make a pattern using them and measure the approximate fabric consumption. The plywood base must be cleaned of any remaining foam rubber and glue; if it is cracked, then cut a new one. The next stage is the preparation of materials and tools.

How to choose materials?

Having assessed the scope of work, you can proceed to compiling a list of materials. Upholstery replacement typically requires the use of the following materials.

Upholstery fabric

• The aesthetic appearance of the future cover should be combined with practicality. Options with a strong odor and fading should be avoided. Probably, low-quality, toxic dye was used in production.
• A thick fabric with a pile will help a beginner hide imperfections in the upholstery. At the same time, when cutting out parts, it is important to take into account the direction of the pile. If you forget about this feature, the color of the parts in final product may vary.

• To save on fabric consumption, you should prefer a smooth material with a small abstract pattern. This texture and texture allows you to place the patterns sparingly, in any direction.
• If the highlight of your design should be a pattern or large ornament, then get ready to buy more fabric. In this case, when cutting, the direction of the lines is important. The mismatched pattern on the seats and back stands out and looks sloppy. For example, if the red stripe abruptly turns into blue, or the details of the ornament are shifted relative to each other.

• When choosing decorative upholstery, consider the purpose of the chair. For example, for kitchen chairs you should choose a material that is durable and easy to clean.
• Leatherette upholstery will add solidity to the furniture, but it will not be much more durable than other types of fabric.

These tips do not imply limited choice at all.

Types of upholstery fabrics can be varied:

• The most common fabric in the production of upholstered furniture is tapestry. This fabric is two-layer, it has a rich texture and texture. But it captivated furniture makers not only with its beauty, but also with its strength, durability and practicality. It is washable and does not fade in the sun. The tapestry has antistatic properties, due to this, dust does not collect on its surface.

• Another popular option is chenille. This is a beautiful, affordable fabric made from fluffy chenille threads. The fabric woven from such a thread turns out to be voluminous, and it is soft and velvety to the touch. The use of chenille threads in various types of weaving (tapestry, jacquard, satin) allows you to obtain interesting textures, and the combination of different colors (their number sometimes reaches eighteen) creates unique patterns. The best option for reupholstering chairs at home are samples with a mixed composition. The presence of artificial fibers increases the wear resistance of the fabric. The main disadvantage of chenille is its hygroscopicity: water stains it and it is likely to deform, so it is not suitable for kitchen chairs.

• Flock- This is an artificial analogue of velvet. It meets all the requirements for upholstery fabric: pleasant appearance, durability, ease of care (easily washed with water), and is not afraid of animal claws.

• Velours- one of the most expensive and impractical upholstery materials, velvety to the touch, impressive, but wears out quickly. Suitable for furniture that is rarely used.

• Pulling a chair genuine leather, you will get a practical item that will last for many years. But this material is quite expensive, so the consumer is offered leather substitutes: eco-leather and dermantine. Leatherette has adopted the external characteristics of real leather, but is inferior in quality. Leatherette upholstery will last from 2 to 5 years, depending on the intensity of use. Perhaps reupholstering it with eco-leather will slightly increase its service life.

Filler

For upholstering upholstered chairs at home, the choice of filler is not so wide: padding polyester or foam rubber. Having settled on padding polyester, pay attention to its color and smell. Different white shade, as well as the presence of a pungent odor, indicate the use of second-rate or toxic raw materials in production. Check the structure of the material and its strength. A fabric of uneven thickness and density that can be easily torn by hand is definitely not suitable. Suitable foam rubber can be easily distinguished by its structure: the smaller the bubbles, the higher the density and quality. In order not to be deceived by the seller, make sure that when pressed the sample does not make a cracking sound (this is the artificially sealed cells bursting).

• If the chair is spring, you may need jute tape. It can replace springs that have become unusable.
• Elements for decoration: ribbons, lace, cords, buttons and others.
• Cardboard or thick paper for the pattern.
• Primer, paint, varnish or stain for the frame.
• Plywood sheet.
• PVA glue.

Preparing tools

The following tools will be useful:

• A furniture stapler with staples or a hammer with furniture nails;
• Screwdriver, pliers, wire cutters, side cutters;
• Measuring tape, scissors, ruler;
• Strong sewing thread (Titan recommended);
• Sewing machine.

Replacement process step by step

• Frame repair. The old coating is removed, all cracks identified during inspection are carefully glued, and chips are puttied. Loose connections are sealed, for example, by inserting a wedge, and additionally fixed with glue. The failed springs are removed, and strips of jute are fixed in their place in a checkerboard pattern. If the bottom is made of plywood, then depending on the condition, it can be replaced with a new one or cleaned of residual glue and filler. The frame is covered with paint, varnish or stain, or one of the modern decorating techniques is used. In order for the new coating to last longer, the surface should be treated with a primer before painting. A white primer is suitable if you are going to use paint; a colorless primer allows you to preserve the wood grain, so it is suitable for varnishing. After the primer has dried, the surface is sanded and painted in at least 2 layers.

• While the frame dries, it is produced seat reupholstery. The first step is to cut out parts from fabric and foam rubber. If it is not possible to use old upholstery as a template, then a pattern is made from cardboard. To do this, outline the plywood base and add 2-4 cm for allowances. Using a stationery knife, cut out the filler. Then a fabric pattern is made using the same pattern. Remember that displacements and inconsistencies in the drawing are not acceptable. When cutting out fabric, leave a 10 cm allowance at the hem.

• Next step - seat cover. If the seat is a separate part, then the filler is glued to the upper side of the base. Once the glue has dried, lay the upholstery fabric wrong side up and cover it with the foam side of the seat. Make sure the base is positioned correctly in relation to the pattern or design. Sequentially nail the edges of the fabric to the base using a furniture gun (1-2 cm steps), trying to avoid large folds. This step is difficult to complete on your own, because the fabric needs to be pulled tightly and evenly on all sides. Here it is important to observe “ golden mean": if the foam is pulled too tightly, it becomes deformed and wears out faster. Trim excess fabric. If the seat is inseparable from the frame, then all manipulations are carried out immediately on the chair, and if there are springs, it is advisable to cover them with thick fabric, for example, burlap, and lay the filler on top of it.

The dull and shabby upholstery of old chairs, which would still serve, but are already unbearably tired, can be easily updated. When looking for master classes on how to cover chairs with fabric with your own hands, you can find a lot detailed instructions with photos describing technologies for replacing the backs and seats of chairs, reupholstering the frame and replacing fillings.

Dull and worn upholstery on old chairs can be easily updated

As a rule, we are not talking about professional reupholstery of furniture, and the insides of the chair will still serve. If you only need to replace the upholstery of the chair, then most likely you will need a minimum set of auxiliary items necessary for this, and very little time.

Materials and tools for upholstering chairs

• Upholstery fabric of your favorite color and texture;
• Black fabric for covering the back of the seat;
• Soft batting or foam rubber (if leaky);
• Hot-melt adhesive, hot-melt gun (for securing the batting, if necessary);

Materials and tools for upholstering chairs

• Pliers;
• Scissors;
• Phillips screwdriver;
• Flat screwdriver;
• Furniture stapler (construction).

Suitable type of upholstery fabric for the chair

The type of upholstery fabric depends on where the chair is placed and for what purpose it is used.

If chairs are in the kitchen, or if you need to cover kitchen stools, then most likely natural materials It is not advisable to use it for upholstery, especially if there are children or pets in the house. All kitchen surfaces and objects are most susceptible to severe contamination, which neither wet nor dry cleaning can cope with.

Some products can irrevocably damage upholstery, just like the art of growing family members, not to mention dog teeth and cat claws.

The following requirements apply to fabrics for upholstery of kitchen chairs and stools:

• Waterproof;
• Resistance to mechanical stress;
• Inability to crumple;
• Strength;
• Fire safety;
• Easy to care for.

Synthetic materials have all the above characteristics. It can be:

• Leatherette, for example Arpatek, is the inexpensive “king” of furniture upholstery;
• Genuine Leather;
• Eco-leather.

Synthetic materials have all the above characteristics.

The upholstery of furniture chairs for living rooms, dining rooms and offices should have slightly different characteristics, including:

• Low or absent peelability (ability to form pellets);
• External attractiveness;
• Compatibility in style with other elements of the interior of the room - curtains, carpets, sofas;
• Wrinkle resistance;
• High wear resistance;
• Resistance to fading in the sun;
• Fire resistance;
• Easy to clean.

Materials with the following properties:

• Chenille - spirally twisted fibers with woven fibers;
• Jacquard is a dense combined relief material with a pattern;
• Scotchgard is an upholstery fabric impregnated with a water- and grease-resistant composition;
• Flock - or "Anti-claw" - upholstery that can withstand the claws and teeth of pets;
• Velor is a fleecy dense material;
• Alcantara, microfiber and other high-tech synthetic upholstery materials that provide increased wear resistance.

Chenille - spirally twisted fibers with woven fibers

Interesting! Often upholstery fabrics treated with special Teflon compounds to provide additional strength and water resistance. Not only will dirt and dust not stick to a chair upholstered with such material, it will also repel grease and water.

Upholstery fabrics are often treated with special Teflon compounds.

It is no longer necessary to choose between durable synthetics and safe natural fabric. The modern textile industry offers a myriad of types of upholstery materials that combine all the characteristics required for furniture, from strength and aesthetic appearance to hypoallergenicity and resistance to stains.

How to choose fabric colors for chair upholstery

Some of the nuances of upholstery replacement work include what pattern and texture of fabric is supposed to be used.

A plain fabric does not raise any questions, and upholstering a chair with fabric of a single uniform color is an elementary task. The work will require 1-2 meters of fabric.

Plain fabric does not raise any questions

Fabric with a pattern, such as checkered or striped, will require a more responsible approach. The required footage of such fabric is 2-3 meters, since you will need to adapt to the pattern.

Working with patterned material involves trying it on convex areas of the seat, and preliminary visualization of how the pattern will be deformed due to the variety of shapes and thicknesses of chair seats.

Working with patterned material involves trying it on the convex areas of the seat

In addition, if a check is chosen as a pattern, you need to decide what is more beautiful - to apply the upholstery fabric evenly (line to line) or diagonally (diamonds). The same applies to stripes, photo prints, abstractions, imitation skins, floral and rapport (repeating) patterns, for example, jacquard fabrics.

It’s worth checking in advance how the pattern will roughly look.

It’s worth checking how the pattern will roughly look in advance, so that when finished, the work done doesn’t look like it was done hastily.

Procedure for replacing chair upholstery

The case in question involves replacing the upholstery of a chair seat. Some chairs are also equipped with a backrest and armrests - then the following simple steps will need to be repeated with the rest constituent elements chair.

Some chairs are also equipped with a backrest

• Action 1. Removing the seat. Using a Phillips or flathead screwdriver, unscrew all the existing screws that secure the seat cushion to the chair frame.

• Step 2: Loosen staples. To remove old upholstery, place a flat-head screwdriver under each bracket and twist the corners of the screwdriver up and down to loosen the bends of the fasteners.

• Step 3: Remove staples. Carefully remove each staple with pliers. Over time, they can dry out and fall into pieces, so this step should be performed with the utmost care and attention.

• Step 4: Replace batting. If the soft part of the stool has not suffered from time, then this stage can be skipped with a clear conscience. If there is nothing left of the batting or foam rubber under the upholstery, or it is pretty worn out, then it needs to be replaced. You can buy batting at fabric stores (it is sold in rolls). Cut a piece of batting to the shape of the seat and glue it to it using a heat gun.

• Step 5: Cut out a suitable piece of upholstery fabric. Place the seat with the glued batting upside down on the front side of the laid out flat surface upholstery material. Having marked a 5 cm indentation from the edge of the seat for the hem allowance for the edge of the fabric with chalk, a piece of soap, a pencil, or just “by eye”, cut a piece of fabric of the required size.

• Action 6. Refining the pattern. Double-check the position of the pattern after cutting the pattern. To prevent the pattern from moving away, you can attach the fabric to the batting with pins.

• Step 7. Securing the fabric with a stapler. To ensure that the upholstery material lays down without folds, stretch it as much as possible so that there is no sagging anywhere, and secure the fabric with a stapler. You need to maintain a distance of about 1-2 cm between paper clips.

• Action 8. Fabric lining. It is this step that takes the product from the “made it yourself” category to the “pro” category. To disguise uneven edges of upholstery and staples under the chair, use black upholstery fabric.

Place the seat face up on a black facing material laid out on a flat surface and cut out an even piece along the contour, without allowance. The lining should not protrude beyond the edges of the chair.

• Step 9. Fixing the black fabric. Using the same stapler, attach the trim to the back of the chair seat. Make sure that the staples run tightly in a row one after another, along a single line.

Voila! The savings are obvious. Now the chairs look like new and are pleasing to the eye. You can admire the options for covering chairs with your own hands in the photo.

The list of steps for those home craftsmen who are looking for information on how to cover a stool or other types of seating furniture on their own is practically no different. Before upholstering a chair with fabric with your own hands, familiarize yourself with how this can be done by looking through the extensive photo archive.

Almost every family has old furniture that was inherited, but not always this furniture has an acceptable appearance. The upholstery is quite easy to replace. Then grandma’s favorite chairs and armchairs will get a second life and sparkle with new colors.

Instead of buying new chairs, you can reupholster old ones: replace worn seats with new ones, saving money.

Covering a chair with a soft seat

For this you will need:

• thick tape;
• lining fabric;
• upholstery fabric;
• filler (batting, padding polyester, coconut fiber);
• furniture foam rubber;
• construction stapler;
• hammer and nails.

Upholstering chairs yourself is not so difficult if you follow the technology and know the assembly sequence. It happens when not only the casing, but also the internal contents require replacement. The first step is to remove the seat, remove the old nails using a nail puller, and remove the upholstery and filling. All you should have left is the wooden frame from the seat.

The main tool for upholstering a chair is furniture stapler.

Now you need to attach a thick tape along the bottom (in the form of a lattice), which is used for upholstering furniture. Nail one end of the tape with 3 nails, wrap the other end around a wooden block and pull it tight. On the opposite side, secure the tape with nails, then cut it off, bend the end and secure with a stapler. The distance between the strips should be about 5 cm. Usually 2-3 strips are nailed on each side on the chair seat, intertwining them together in the form of a lattice. Instead of nails, you can use a stapler - in this case, the staples are arranged in 2 rows, at a short distance from each other. For this purpose, it is better to take 8 mm staples.

After this, take the lining fabric and secure it with a stapler around the entire perimeter of the wooden frame. Next, lay a layer of filler. It can be batting, coconut fiber or padding polyester. Then a piece of foam rubber is cut so that it is 2-3 cm larger than the seat. First, it is secured with staples in the center of each side, then the sides are shot. The corners are finished last, with the ends gathered into small folds. During work, you need to make sure that the foam rubber does not warp, otherwise the upholstery will turn out uneven and take on an untidy appearance.

To reupholster a chair, you must first strengthen the frame and then remove the upholstery fabric.

All that remains is to cover the seat with fabric. Lay the material out on the table, place the seat on top (foam down), shoot 3 staples in the center of each side. Try to stretch the fabric evenly so that there are no distortions, otherwise it will affect the appearance of the product. Make beautiful folds at the corners, shoot them with a stapler, cut off all excess. Fold the ends under and secure them in the same way, and then place the seat on the chair.

Upholstering chair seats with your own hands is more difficult if the upholstery contains springs. Many furniture craftsmen do not recommend replacing them with less durable foam rubber. The first step is to carefully disassemble the contents. As a rule, the springs are already connected to each other. Then all you have to do is check the strength of the bundle. If some threads become frayed over time, they need to be replaced. After you have nailed the ribbons and lining, install a bunch of springs on it, sewing each one from the bottom (with a few stitches on all sides). Fix a thick lining fabric over the structure and sew the springs to it in the same way. This is followed by a layer of batting or padding polyester, after which the seat is upholstered with fabric and installed on the chair.

Covering a chair with a hard seat

For this you will need:

• thick furniture foam;
• thick fabric;
• construction stapler;
• braid;
• glue gun

Chair upholstery diagram.

Upholstering a chair with a hard seat is quite simple: even a person who has nothing to do with furniture can easily handle it. First you need to cut the foam rubber, it must completely match the dimensions of the seat. There is no need to cut the fabric, since it is much easier to work with a cut that is 15-20 cm larger than required.

Foam rubber is placed on the chair seat and covered with a cloth. First, shoot (along the side) each side in the center, then on the sides. After this, the corners are decorated: the fabric is gathered into small folds and secured with staples. It is important to ensure that the staples are positioned clearly along the line. Next, the material is cut off, departing from the fastening by about 5-7 mm.

All that remains is to glue the tape that will hide the staples. The easiest way to do this is with glue gun- although the work is easy, it requires maximum attention and accuracy. The upholstery of a stool is done in the same way, but in this case the upholstery fabric is not shot along the side, but from the back side of the seat. Therefore, there is no need to decorate the seam with braid.

How to replace the upholstery on a chair?

To replace the upholstery you will need:

The upholstery of the chair is done using a construction stapler, upholstery fabric and a hammer with nails.

• upholstery fabric;
• construction stapler;
• hammer and nails.

It is possible to update the upholstery on an old chair on your own. The first step is to carefully remove the old upholstery.

It is important to remember exactly where and how the fabric was attached, and even better, photograph it all.

Use the old upholstery as a pattern; when cutting, add a margin of 1-2 cm on each side.

First, the armrests are retightened. In order for the fabric to stretch easily, a rigid braid is sewn along its edge (on the reverse side). If you don’t have one on your farm, you can use a strip of thick cardboard (it’s shot with a stapler). The upholstery is repeated in exactly the same way as it was done earlier.

After this, they begin a rather important process, covering the back. There should be no distortions or folds. In order for the fabric to lie flat, you need to build the following device: take fiberboard, cut a long strip 2-3 cm wide, drive wallpaper nails into it (at a distance of 1-2 cm), and then pin the bottom of the upholstery fabric onto them. By doing this, you can easily stretch the fabric evenly and secure it along the bottom of the chair. For this purpose, use deep staples 0.8 or 10 mm.

After the back and armrests are tightened, we begin sewing the seat cover. An old case is used as a basis. If the zipper is well preserved, then there is no need to replace it with a new one. The bottom of the chair is covered in the same way as the back.

Using the tips outlined above, you can easily update not only a chair or stool, but also an old chair. Go for it, and you will succeed!

You can breathe new life into your favorite chairs by removing the worn upholstery and replacing it with new ones. And reupholstery is a great way to fit your favorite furniture into the color scheme of the updated interior of the room. The method of reupholstery will depend slightly on the type of chairs. Here are some standard methods.

Steps

Part 1

We remove furniture nails and other fasteners

This section is about how to remove furniture nails and other sharp fasteners. If you used staples to secure it, go to another section.

Bring the chisel to the edge of the nail head or other fastener.

Tap the tip of the chisel with a wooden mallet.

Use the lever to gently lift the nail (or other fastener) upward. Repeat the procedure carefully until the nail is freed from the wood.

Place the removed nails in a bag or immediately throw them in the trash. This is to prevent you from accidentally stepping on sharp objects.

Part 2

Removing the staples

This section deals with the large, heavy-duty type of staples that hold upholstery fabric in place.

1. Use the adjuster to remove the staples. This is a specialized tool used in the wallpaper craft to remove staples from furniture. It can be bought online in specialized stores.

   Place the end of the adjuster under the center of the bracket. Use the lever to lift the adjuster up, pressing against the edge of the wood.

   • If the wood is polished or this part of the chair is visible, place it under the regulator metal plate or fabric so that the lever touches them and not the wood. This way there will be no marks left due to pressure from the regulator.

2. Wait until one end of the staple appears. The second one usually stays inside.

   Take pliers or side cutters and grab the staple. Pull up and twist slightly to remove the bracket completely from the wood.

   Repeat the procedure until you have pulled out all the staples. Some people prefer the conveyor method: first they lift all the staples with a regulator, and then pull them out with pliers, so as not to constantly switch from the regulator to the pliers on each staple.

Part 3

Removing the fabric

Remove the upholstery from the seat, backrest and armrests. Once you remove the fasteners, you can remove the old fabric and use these trim pieces to make new ones.

Mark the removed blanks with arrows, letters or something else so that it is convenient for you to draw the same on the new fabric. There is no need to be lazy: the efforts made will pay off later when you need to maintain accuracy.

• It will be easier if you draw a chair diagram for each piece of upholstery you remove and write the corresponding letter or number on each piece of fabric, both on the diagram and on the back of the fabric.
• Pay attention to hems, folds, bends, etc., so that you can repeat them later when making new upholstery.

1. When you remove sections of trim, write down the order in which you do it. This will help you a lot when you start putting it all back together. Sections of chair/chair upholstery are usually marked as follows:

   • IB = inside back
   • OB = outside back
   • IW = inside wing
   • OW = outside wing
   • IA = inside arm
   • OA = outside arm
   • S = seat
   • SC = seat cushion
   • FB = front border
   • SB = side border
   • AF = arm facing (front part of the armrest)
   • SK = skirt. (edge)

Part 4

Preserving the padding

1. Carefully lift up the packing. Try not to break or tear anything. Her current shape was achieved through years of sitting in a chair, so her shape already fits this chair perfectly.

   • You should lift it with both hands, placing the padding on the bend of your elbow and holding it with your fingers.
   • Prepare a level, clean area to place the padding on while you work on the upholstery.

2. Trim off the glued portion of the padding. Sometimes you have to cut off the padding that was attached with glue. To do this, take a long-bladed knife, such as a serrated knife, and carefully slide it under the padding. Smoothly and very carefully cut away the padding.

   Remove other fasteners. You may find that the padding is held in place with additional staples or wallpaper nails or string. You remove the nails and staples as described above, and simply cut the rope.

   Check the chair frame. Should it be repaired or left as is? If you can leave it as is, you can move on to preparing the new upholstery. And if not, you will have to repair the frame of the chair/chair.

Part 5

Repairing the frame

This section - summary basics for a standard modern chair/chair frame. Here we are not considering such tricky frames that require weaving, pulling and other corrections, because... I can't talk about it briefly.

First, decide whether you want to handle this yourself or entrust the matter to a professional. It can be difficult, but basic frame repairs can be done yourself. The only thing you can’t do is leave everything as it is, because a weak frame won’t last long and the chair will break.

• If you're not up for the job, take the chair to an upholsterer or furniture maker.

1. First check the glued joints. If they need to be straightened or compacted or re-glued, do it yourself. Pull the chair slats in different directions to test for stability or strength. If no weak points are found, there are no questions about the connections. If they move in the grooves or bend, they need to be repaired.

   • In old furniture, staples, screws or tongue and groove joints. If you don’t understand it yourself, it’s better to show the damaged tongue and groove joint to a professional.
   • You don't need to use a lot of force while testing because a pinned (dowel) joint that is holding well can become loose if you pull too hard.

2. Check the corner blocks. If you need to re-glue the joints, the corner will have to be removed first. This is a triangular part located at inner corner chair seat frame; it can be glued, screwed or nailed in place. To remove it you need::

   • Drive the tip of the spacer bit into the edge of the corner block where it meets one side of the frame.
   • Tap the tip of the chisel with a wooden mallet.
   • As you move the chisel, use it as a lever to pull the block out of the frame. Do not press too hard, the chisel may break; if you feel that the block is giving in, remove the chisel and press only with your hand.
   • Do the same with the remaining corners.

3. Repair connections.

   • Place the chair on the workbench with the part you want to repair facing up (facing you, not the workbench). Hold the chair firmly.
   • Tap near the joint with a rubber mallet to loosen it slightly. Don't do it by force.
   • Remove the disconnected part. Clean and sand to remove any remaining old glue.

4. Replace broken keys. If you find that the key is broken, it will need to be repaired before reassembling the joint.

   • Use a chisel to remove the edges of the key to a smooth surface so that you can work with a drill. Then drill into the old dowel, being careful not to damage the chair frame.
   • Squeeze some wood glue into the hole, then insert a new dowel into it. Tap it lightly with a hammer. Wipe off any excess glue that has been squeezed out and let it dry completely.

5. Reconnect. Pour wood glue into the dowel holes. Gently but firmly connect the components.

   Clamp the entire frame together to apply pressure to the joints and prevent them from moving while drying. Wipe off any excess glue to prevent it from drying in beads on the chair frame.

   • Place the corner blocks in place, wiping off any excess glue again before they dry.

Part 6

Applying new upholstery fabric

Here's a simple method using scraps of old sheathing. There are more complex methods, but for beginners this method is better.

1. Measure the fabric for the new upholstery. This requires great care when removing the old trim to avoid tearing or cutting anything, because you will be using the old piece as a template for the new one.

2. Unstitch the old piece. Anything pinned or sewn should be laid out so you can see the seams and allowances the upholstery makers made.

   • Always allow enough allowance for stitching and pinning when taking measurements for new upholstery.
3. • If the fabric has a design or pattern, the fabric should be positioned so that it points upward, toward the back of the chair. Keep this in mind when preparing the central chair blank. It’s better to try your hand at a plain fabric first than to create additional difficulties for yourself while you don’t have enough experience yet.
   • All removed pieces of fabric should be kept together in a plastic bag. Then you can use them again if you want, and they will be at hand.
   • Be careful when removing the cover. If you want to use it again, you need to avoid tearing or cutting. Moreover, you can damage the wood during the process, so keep this in mind when removing the fabric. If you want to use the old stuffing again, you need to carefully remove it and not touch it again without doing anything.

   Warning

   • If you have pierced the skin with an old nail, staple, etc. Go to the doctor and get a tetanus shot. If the furniture is old, it's better to be safe than sorry. If you are planning big project or drapery for a living, it's best to make sure your tetanus shots are up to date.
   • Wear safety glasses when removing nails and staples. You can't predict when a piece of a sharp object might fly into your face, so it's better to be safe.
   • If you are unsure about the condition of the padding or it is too old, it is better to wear a mask. When the padding is released from the fabric, it can release a cloud of dust and enter the respiratory tract. If you suffer from allergies, then the mask will be especially useful for you.

To reupholster furniture, different types of textiles, leather or its substitute are used. Selection depends on own desires and cash. But if you opt for fabric upholstery, it is not at all necessary that it will be more affordable than leather. For example, foreign silk, brocade and certain types of satin can even exceed it in price.

Let's look at some of the most popular materials:

• Leatherette. Very affordable, but at the same time the most short-lived material. Basically, its “lifespan” is 1.5–2 years with vigorous use of the chair. This is even less than inexpensive fabric upholstery options. Of course, there are high-quality leather substitutes, the quality of which is almost as good as natural material, but they also cost almost the same as real leather.
• Textile. By increasing the price, the material can be designated as follows: chenille (fabric made from artificial threads and cotton fibers), flock (a substitute for velvet), jacquard with an adhesive layer (smooth, strong and dense fabric, has water-repellent characteristics, has a mixed composition of threads), microfiber (according to texture similar to suede) and tapestry (dense, thick fabric). Such big choice helps you find upholstery textiles that fully suit both your needs and material capabilities.
• Real leather. Very expensive, elite and high quality material. However, it is necessary to take into account that working with real leather will require special equipment and abilities, so the price of reupholstery should include not only the price of the material itself, but also the cost of the necessary tools.

When choosing leather, pay attention to its thickness. If you choose leather thicker than 3 mm, it will not be easy to work with due to the lack of elasticity. It is best to use material for upholstering a chair; its thickness is no more than 1.5 mm.

To upholster an armchair or bar stool, it is suggested to use real leather or thick textiles. It is better to attach the material to the base using a repair stapler or glue. The process takes no more than 15–20 minutes (with a certain skill).

To properly renew the real leather upholstery on a chair, you will need the help of professionals. As for a leather piece of furniture, in this case the work will take much more time and effort. The thing is that the “boss’ chair” is more difficult to assemble and disassemble. Moreover, often reupholstering furniture with upholstered leather involves removing the old upholstery and cutting out new one, which can be difficult and will require special skills. To avoid potential malfunctions or other problems, it is better to entrust work with such an object to specialists.

Which chairs to buy for the kitchen - bar - wooden - metal - photo

Alcantara chair upholstery

Self-adhesive Alcantara is faux suede, equipped with an adhesive layer. Its service life is 3–7 years. Despite the low elongation rate, the flexibility of this material is sufficient to make it easy to work with when reconstructing furniture. It fits perfectly on planes and takes their shape.

It is worth noting that real self-adhesive Alcantara must have the inscription “Made in Korea” on the back side and a lined square with 5 cm squares.

Materials and tools

We will reupholster an office chair from China. For this we will need:

• self-adhesive alcantara beige and white(or any other you choose);
• pliers;
• marker;
• scissors;
• ruler;
• tape measure;
• stationery knife.

  Alcantara is produced in a wide range color scheme, which makes it possible to implement any artistic concept

Necessary calculations

To avoid unnecessary production waste, the main thing is to perform a good calculation of materials. Use a measuring tape to measure all parts of the chair. We will work with the back cover, the back of the chair and the seat, and in this case the dimensions are similar:

• 53 cm - cover;
• 53 cm – back;
• 45 cm – seat.

It is worth noting that in order to securely fasten the new upholstery, you will need to make allowances of 5 cm on all sides. If you do more, it’s not a big deal; the extra parts can be cut off with a utility knife.

We bought 1 each for work linear meter beige Alcantara and white, of which it was required:

• 50 cm of beige fabric on the seat;
• 58 cm of beige fabric on the back;
• 58 cm of fabric per cover.

Preparation work

We will work with all the parts separately, so the chair will need to be disassembled using pliers for the nuts. Basically, all parts can be easily unscrewed, some even by hand. The process takes no more than 5 minutes.

Then we will start preparing the fabric. We take beige Alcantara, which we will need to reupholster the back and seat. Using a marker and a ruler along the back of the fabric, measure out the appropriate dimensions for a wide variety of pieces and cut with scissors. Do the same with the white fabric for the lid.

The main principle is safety

There is no need to remove the current upholstery, since Alcantara fits perfectly over outdated textiles.

Master class on updating a piece of furniture with your own hands

Once the preparation is completed, proceed specifically to the reupholstering process. Let's start with the back of the chair:

1. We separate the white material from the paper protecting the adhesive layer.

   Separate the adhesive layer from the base

2. We glue the Alcantara to the back cover of the backrest.

   Glue the material onto the back cover of the chair back

3. We carefully align the material so that it fits entirely to the product and follows its curves.
4. We stretch the upholstery on the other side of the chair and bend the remaining ends inward.

   Bend the protruding edges

5. Excess material is immediately removed with a stationery knife.
6. We cut off the remains at the place where the back is attached.
7. We perform a similar technology with the front part of the back, using beige Alcantara.

Alcantara glues quickly and firmly, so all the remains need to be cut off immediately - after an hour the material sticks so that it will not be possible to peel it off and perform any actions.

Now we are working with the seat:

1. To do this, we again separate the beige Alcantara from the backing.

   Removing the backing from the Alcantara

2. Carefully glue the working material onto the seat.
3. We align it along the entire part of the chair and bend it inward, gluing the ends to the other side of the seat.

   Cover the seat with material

4. Remove any remaining residue using a utility knife.

The work is done quickly and easily, everything takes about 40 minutes.

In most cases, the chair looks better after reupholstery than before it.

Benefits of dry cleaning

You can quickly clean the sofa upholstery from old stains by taking the top cover to the laundry. Experts will select detergents based on the type of soiling and fabric structure. For effective removal stains are even possible handwash.

Benefits of dry cleaning

• saving time and effort;
• proper cleaning of contaminants using special means;
• handmade(when cleaning stains from delicate fabrics);
• Possibility of calling dry cleaning specialists to your home.

Cleaning with a vacuum cleaner

You can quickly clean the sofa upholstery using a vacuum cleaner. For proper cleaning a bristle attachment is used that will not damage the surface of the furniture. It is worth vacuuming especially carefully at the joints between the seams and the place of removable parts. Dust often accumulates on the seats and seats. In cases where there is no special attachment, you can vacuum with a hose after placing a damp cloth on the pipe. In this way, all dust and small debris will remain on the vacuum cleaner pipe.

To prevent the sofa from getting dirty, it is best to put a special cover on it, which will need to be washed once a week. In this way, the appearance of the furniture will last longer. And if cleaning doesn’t help, we suggest using our services.

DIY computer chair upholstery

Replacing the upholstery on a computer chair is good, Alternative option, which replaces the purchase of new furniture. Before you start changing the upholstery on a chair with your own hands, you should prepare the following tools:

• finishing fabric (leather or microsuede);
• a set of screwdrivers (for picking out old staples);
• furniture stapler and staples (for fastening finishing fabric);
• scissors and accessories (for making patterns and decorative finishing);
• foam rubber (for replacing the inside of the upholstery).

The process of replacing upholstery on a computer chair

The advantage of replacing upholstery at home is that it saves time and money. Replacing the upholstery of a computer chair with your own hands takes several steps. simple steps, this does not require special knowledge.

1. The first step is to disassemble the chair. To do this, you need to turn the furniture upside down and unscrew several bolts that secure the legs to the seat. All bolts and screws should be collected in a separate container so as not to get lost.
2. Then, you should disconnect the old upholstery from the body of the back and seat and you can proceed to reupholstery.
3. A new middle is cut out of foam rubber (along the contour of the seat and back) and attached to the base using a furniture stapler. Now you can proceed directly to replacing the chair upholstery. You need to cut out parts of the back and seat from new fabric with your own hands.
4. Having secured the resulting parts with a stapler, you can proceed to the final stage. When reupholstering, you should take into account the shape of the furniture (rounded ends or sharp corners).
5. Having collected all the details of the chair, you can begin decorating the armrests on which the fabric was replaced. To do this, you need to go along the edge of the fabric with finishing accessories.

The final touch to upholstering a chair with your own hands is always decoration. It can be done different ways: with help acrylic paint or accessories in the form of decorative buttons.

DIY sofa upholstery

Upholstering a sofa with your own hands is a labor-intensive process that involves restoring the frame and replacing the furniture cover. Knowing how to restore old furniture, you can always surprise the guests of your apartment with bold and original interior items.

Upholstery reupholstery

A labor-intensive process that should be done slowly, otherwise you can make a lot of mistakes. In cases where no internal damage to the frame is detected and major replacement of parts is not required, the process of upholstering the sofa occurs quickly. With your own hands you can update the appearance of old furniture.

To work you will need the following tools

• a set of screwdrivers (for prying up brackets and unscrewing bolts);
• pliers;
• kit wrenches (different sizes);
• tape measure or centimeter (for measurements);
• construction or pneumatic stapler and staples for it (for fastening the material to the frame);
• scissors and paper (for cutting out upholstery parts);
• sewing machine and upholstery material.

Sequence of work

After choosing the fabric and thinking through the new design, the start of disassembling the old sofa to replace the upholstery begins. You will need to perform several important operations with your own hands before attaching the upholstery fabric.

1. Dismantling the sofa. Using tools, the frame, seat and back, as well as all overhead elements are removed. To avoid losing the fasteners, they should be immediately placed in a separate container.
2. Removing old upholstery. The material should be carefully removed so that patterns can be made from it. You should carefully inspect the frame and springs for damage.
3. Pattern of new parts. The pattern is old upholstery, which must be applied to the fabric and leaving a 4 cm allowance. Cut it out.
4. Upholstery fastening and assembly. The final stage is attaching the new sofa upholstery to the frame, which you made with your own hands. After the upholstery is finished, the sofa can be assembled.

Having completed all the work without haste, you will receive updated furniture that will last a long time.

Which fabric is best for upholstering a sofa?

Before you buy new furniture, you need to pay attention to the material that is used for the upholstery. The fabric has different properties and when choosing, you must consider the following:

• aesthetic appearance;
• wear resistance;
• nuances of care;
• price category.

What upholstery to choose for a sofa

The choice of upholstery also depends on the place where the furniture will be placed. It is important to consider whether it will be combined new sofa with interior design. To understand which fabric is best to choose for upholstering a sofa, you should study its characteristics. Physical qualities depend on:

• the appearance depends on the composition of the fibers;
• method of production of the material;
• additional processing (increases the wear resistance of the material).

Which upholstery is better to choose for daily use?

Textile factories provide a wide selection of fabrics, which are most often used for sofa upholstery. It is best to choose the following type of material:

1. Genuine Leather. The material has a presentable appearance and is easy to clean. The advantage of genuine leather is quality. With the help of special dyes, the most daring shades can be given to the material. If there are animals in the apartment, then best choice Semi-aniline leather will be used for upholstery of the sofa. In addition to its advantages, the material also has disadvantages - high price.
2. Faux leather has the same characteristics as natural leather, only at a lower price. The disadvantage is poor tolerance to high temperatures.
3. Ecological leather does not differ in appearance from natural leather. The durable and wear-resistant material has a cotton base on which a special polyurethane film is applied. Due to the base, wear-resistant characteristics are increased; the material does not stretch or tear.
4. Flock. The advantages of this material are durability and resistance to mechanical damage, and easy cleaning pollution.
5. Chenille. It has a dense texture and is resistant to damage. You can easily remove dirt and dust from the surface of the material using a vacuum cleaner.

The best choice for upholstering a sofa is natural fabrics that have a high strength rating and are easy to clean.

How to clean sofa upholstery at home

There are times when dry cleaning is indispensable: stains from wine, grease, blood or child urine are the most difficult to remove. To save money on dry cleaning, the question arises of how to clean the sofa upholstery at home. Before you start cleaning, you should find out how the stain appeared and what material was used for the upholstery. Doing the wrong thing can only make the stain even bigger than it was.

Homemade cleaning products

Please note that the effectiveness of the product depends on the type of stain and the type of fabric. To clean sofa upholstery at home, use products such as:

• laundry soap (used to clean light dirt and wine stains);
• specialized means foam based;
• acetic acid solution or ammonia (tested products, but they may change the color of the upholstery);
• solutions of acetone and alcohol (a universal remedy against any stains);
• a mixture of soda and lemon juice;
• Vaseline (used to clean stains from leather fabric);
• men's shaving foam (removes grease stains and ballpoint pen marks).

Cleaning furniture depending on the structure of the stain

To know how to clean sofa upholstery at home, you need to determine the type of stain. An incorrectly selected remedy can aggravate the situation. Methods for dealing with stains on furniture:

• tea stains. They are removed with a soap solution, which is applied to a stain previously moistened with water;
• bloody stains. To remove blood stains, you need to wet the area cold water and then rub with laundry soap;
• urine stains. First you need to wipe with napkins and then treat with soap;
• wine (removed with soda and soap solution);
• beer stains (removed with vinegar solution);
• grease stains (removed with salt and detergent solution);
• ink (removed with alcohol or other solvent).

To completely get rid of stains, the procedure should be repeated several times. Or turn to professionals.

Furniture reupholstery: why is it needed?

In order to change the decor and atmosphere in your home, you no longer need to buy new furniture; you just need to change its upholstery. This will cost much less than purchasing something new, but at the same time it will help to achieve freshness in the room. It is not always possible to purchase and carry out upholstery using someone else’s services. Sometimes you have to perform this procedure yourself.

Features of the procedure

Be prepared for the fact that upholstering upholstered furniture with your own hands is a rather labor-intensive process that will take you some time. You will also have to spend on this event a lot of your efforts, it’s best if you do it together with someone. Please note that in order to do the upholstery, first of all you will need to completely disassemble your furniture. Once you've done this, clean it thoroughly, as the next opportunity won't be around for a while.

Required tools:

• pre-prepared upholstery fabric;
• sharp scissors;
• threads;
• tape measure;
• devices suitable for disassembling furniture.

Upholstery technology

Each type of furniture upholstery has its own nuances that must be taken into account when reupholstering. To do this, first of all, you need to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of the selected fabric and carefully study them. Relying on this information, you can do the upholstery yourself.

What materials are best suited for furniture upholstery?

When faced with a question that concerns upholstery, first of all, it is necessary to understand what types of it exist and how they differ from each other. To do this, it is better to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of each variety and only after that you can decide which one is best suited for you. There are a huge number of fabrics that are suitable for furniture upholstery, which will suit every taste, and you can additionally choose its shade, as well as choose an original pattern.

Materials for upholstery of upholstered furniture

• velor - consists of a combination of natural and synthetic fibers, this means that it is quite pleasant to the touch. Quite easy to maintain, its price is relatively low;
• jacquard – distinguished by its high density and strength. This is achieved thanks to the peculiarities of its manufacture. Due to such characteristics, it is believed that furniture upholstered with such fabric will last a long time.
• Chennyl is also a durable material and is distinguished by its extraordinary beauty. However, the disadvantage of this fabric is that it cannot be cleaned with liquid.
• Flock is a very soft and pleasant fabric that is optimal for children's rooms. Is durable and dense material.
• microfiber is a very thin material, which does not affect its service life in any way. Is hypoallergenic. This fabric is very easy to clean.
• different types of leather - there are several varieties (artificial, natural, eco-leather). You can choose the one that is affordable and most attractive in appearance.
• corduroy – looks especially expensive and is a decoration exclusive houses. Be prepared for the fact that cleaning furniture made from such fabric will require a lot of effort and time.
• silk – expensive material, which is best used for furniture that is rarely used.

These are quite common and popular types of upholstery for upholstered furniture in Russia. In addition to those presented in this list, there are also a large number of varieties, but they are not so well known and are quite rarely found in the store.

Expensive fabric: what is silk?

People often wonder how they can decorate the interior of their home without using any additional items. The way out of this situation is expensive and elegant furniture. If you are thinking about what you are looking for, then we have a great option for you. And that is silk for upholstery. Even the name of the fabric suggests that it is something incredibly delicate and elegant. And it doesn’t deceive, she really is like that.

Description of silk fabric

Silk is an expensive fabric that is pleasant to the touch and looks incredibly beautiful in the interior. It has long been believed that silk products are a sign of wealth and prosperity. Nothing has changed since then; these are truly luxurious fabrics, the price of which remains quite high. Such fabric is always pleasant to feel and touch, and therefore it is a favorite of luxury homes.

It is believed that eco-leather upholstery fabric is a relative the new kind leather products, which appeared on the Russian market not so long ago. However, in a short period of time, this material has become popular, especially among those who are fans of everything natural. The fabric does not contain any harmful substances and impurities, it consists entirely of environmentally friendly cotton. The main disadvantage of leather products is that they are exposed to temperatures, this will not be observed with eco-leather.

Benefits of fabric

• the fabric is hypoallergenic, so it is suitable for absolutely everyone, even small children;
• the material is quite resistant and durable, which has a positive effect on the duration of its operation;
• does not contain any odor that is inherent in ordinary leather products;
• does not absorb air or odors.

Fabric care

Cleaning furniture made from eco-leather is quite simple. To remove unwanted stains and remaining dirt, you just need to use a liquid and a soft sponge. To remove stubborn stains, you can use water in combination with detergent, in low concentration. After cleaning, wipe the furniture with a dry towel.

The Comfort company provides the opportunity to buy eco-leather for furniture upholstery at an affordable price that will pleasantly surprise you. The quality of this material is not inferior to real leather products, and its cost is more attractive. You can buy eco-leather for furniture upholstery in Moscow at retail or order required amount and buy it in bulk.

What is chenille fabric used for?

For those who are in search of good fabric for furniture, there are now many attractive options on the Russian market. You can choose what you like and can afford, without limiting yourself and your imagination. If you are a fan of vintage style, then we can say with confidence that chenille for upholstery is a real find for you and your home. Many are of the opinion that this kind of fabric is a sign of wealth and prosperity.

Advantages of chenille fabric:

• exclusive look, furniture with such upholstery can only be found in houses where people with refined taste live;
• the fabric will serve you for a long time;
• its surface is pleasant to the touch;
• the fabric is not able to absorb any odors;
• this material is quite durable.

The disadvantages of this material include the fact that it is extremely afraid of animal claws. Therefore, if you have a pet in your home, it is better for you to avoid this kind of upholstery.

How to reupholster a chair with your own hands: video, master class, photo

Sometimes people don’t know how to reupholster a chair with their own hands, but doing this becomes simply necessary. Not everyone is in a hurry to send strong chairs to a landfill; they are much easier to restore. Upholstering chairs with your own hands allows you to save money, and new coverings perfectly update the interior of the room. They can be decorated with any possible elements decorating, and most importantly, do it at home.

Preparing for work

Before you reupholster the chairs with your own hands, you should prepare for this process. The soft seat on the stool can be covered with thick and bright fabric. Upholstering a chair requires special materials, such as:

• thick fabric;
• grinding machine;
• screws and screwdriver;
• foam;
• furniture stapler;
• PVA glue;
• screwdriver;
• scissors;
• pencil.

If you are going to reupholster the kitchen corner with your own hands, then you should choose not easily soiled fabric, but it is better to use leather. In the kitchen, dirt most often appears, and therefore it should be covered with a material that will not be difficult to wash later, because it is necessary to create a soft corner for the most contaminated part of the apartment. Upholstered furniture is reupholstered with the help of additional people, since the material needs to be stretched well. This can be easily done at home, since restoration does not require special equipment.

Before you restore a chair or reupholster a kitchen corner with your own hands, you need to prepare patterns. There is a large amount of photo and video materials on this topic on the Internet that will help and explain the preparation process step by step. It is worth noting that real leather is expensive, so the use of leatherette is allowed.

Immediately before you start reupholstering the chair, you should thoroughly sand all its parts. A soft chair it is also advisable to coat it with varnish, thereby preparing it for application different types staining. You can cover the chair with your own hands after the applied varnish or paint has completely dried. First you need to put the back and frame in order, and only after that do the reupholstery.

Reupholstering the seats of chairs and other furniture

Knowing how to reupholstery can help you update your interior without spending a lot of money. Nowadays it has become fashionable to restore old furniture with fabric. Chairs can be upholstered several times a year and thus will be a reason to update the interior of the apartment. Repairing and reupholstering chairs begins with gluing foam rubber to the top of the wooden seat. After the glue has dried, you can begin to retighten. This is done simply, the wrong side is applied to the foam rubber, and the specially left edges are secured with a construction stapler.

Choose correct thickness foam rubber and dermantine, this will help the product serve you for more than a year. When fitting a seat onto a chair, you need to pay attention to the gaps, because it is better to make the distance between the fasteners no more than one and a half centimeters.

We trim the seat so that there are no large folds. The upholstery will last longer if the folds go evenly and equally. Excess pieces of fabric are cut off during repairs and reupholstery of chairs.

How to choose upholstery?

Before reupholstering a kitchen corner or other furniture, you should choose good upholstery. You can compare photos from the Internet and choose for yourself best shades, which are perfect for your apartment. You should not buy softer fabric, it will quickly lose its appearance. Knowing how to update chairs, you need to remember that the outer side of the covers quickly gets dirty and needs to be chosen so that it can be washed with a brush or sponge.

Knowing how to restore your old furniture, you can restore almost everything in your apartment. Available master classes will help you cope with the work, even if you are still completely new to this matter. Knowing how to make beautiful furniture, you won’t want to buy it in a store; it’s easier to decorate your home yourself - both cheaper and more beautiful.

Updating chairs with your own hands allows you to restore even the oldest models, and all this is done as simply as changing the upholstery. You can always find a second life for chairs made of wood, and models made in the USSR are known to be famous for their phenomenal strength.

How to upholster a chair with your own hands step by step: choosing fabric, tools, upholstery

High-quality wooden furniture can last a very long time. If there are beautiful chairs in the house carved wood, and the upholstery is worn out, there is no need to throw them away. The main thing is to make sure that the wooden part is intact. Upholstering such a chair with new material is not difficult at all.

How to choose the right fabric for upholstering a chair with your own hands

Fabrics produced for furniture upholstery are dense, durable and easy to care for. They can be easily cleaned with soapy water if necessary. Reupholstering a chair with your own hands will be presented step by step below.

Reference! There are fabrics with special impregnation that do not stain, even if coffee or wine is accidentally spilled on them.

The colors are selected to match the interior. Among the most popular recently are:

• Flock: pile is glued onto a mixed base (65% polyester and 35% cotton). Characterized by high wear resistance and good appearance;
• Chenille: A fluffy chenille thread is woven into the warp threads. It is characterized by durability, beautiful appearance;
• Tapestry: high-quality fabric is extremely durable; not only is it torn, it is difficult to cut with scissors.

Sometimes, in order to fit into the interior palette, you have to purchase not the most durable fabric. This option is possible when using rough upholstery made of durable auxiliary fabric.

What tools will you need?

In order for the work to go smoothly and quickly, you need to select everything in advance. The main thing you need to prepare is an electric furniture stapler. Suitable staples for upholstery work: 10 mm for interior work and 6 mm for installation of upholstery fabric.

The track of staples on the back and seat can be covered with finishing braid. To glue it, you should prepare a glue gun with silicone sticks.

To work with foam rubber you will need a sharp knife and suitable glue.

Removing old casing

Remove old upholstery very carefully. The old back and seat cover can be used as a pattern. Under the soft part of the seat there may be a piece of plywood or furniture rubber. The latter may stretch and need to be replaced. Be especially careful when removing staples near an exposed part of the wood to avoid damaging the painted part.

When the upholstery is removed, it's time to check the strength of the wooden part. All weakened joints must be glued, where possible fixed with 14 mm staples.

Restoring the seat and chair cover

How to properly reupholster a chair with your own hands, step-by-step instruction presented below. A piece of foam rubber is glued onto the seat plywood or furniture rubber.

Reference! Foam rubber with a density of 28-35 kg/m3 is suitable for upholstering chairs.

The foam rubber is covered with padding polyester with a density of 200 g/m2 and a detail made of upholstery fabric. The upholstery fabric should be cut according to the removed cover plus 5 cm around the perimeter, this allowance is needed for ease of work; after adjusting with staples, it is cut off.

If a rough cover is used, it is upholstered first. The main load falls on the auxiliary fabric; the beautiful upper cover also experiences pressure, but much less.

The back of the chair is upholstered in the following sequence:

• First, the cover is stuffed from the back of the chair;
• A detail of the rough cover, it takes on the main load in this part of the furniture;
• A part made of foam rubber and a part made of padding polyester are glued;
• A piece of upholstery fabric is shot from above;
• Excess fabric is cut off with a construction knife.

The upholstery of the seat and back is carried out with a large tension of the cover. Neat symmetrical folds are placed in the corners of the seat. The line for fixing the upholstery fabric with staples is closed with finishing tape using a glue gun with silicone sticks.

In addition to braid, you can use decorative nails. This type of finish comes in two types: in the form of tape or piece nails. It's easier to work with tape.

The Internet and print media feed us with new ideas every day, including many new products for upholstered furniture.

To reupholster chairs, you can use a combination of companion fabrics. For example: the seat is fabric with a jacquard pattern, and the back is chosen to be plain and velvety.

There are many finishes available for chairs. The second purpose of finishing is to cover the path of staples that are visible after shooting the upholstery fabric. In addition to finishing braid and decorative nails, you can use finishing twisted furniture cord.

It is produced in many colors and different diameters. The same cord is also produced sewn with braid for sewing into the seam. You can sew decorative furniture pillows along with the chairs. As a finishing sewn-in edging, there is a decorative cord, like on chairs with only braid.

The process of reupholstering furniture is very exciting. It takes very little time, but the result is pleasing long years. Nowadays it’s easy to choose upholstery fabrics in combination with curtains and the interior of the room as a whole. There is an opportunity to implement the most successful design finds at home.

Highlights

What is important to know about a chair (chair) that is subject to repair:

• That only well-preserved furniture can be reupholstered and restored.
• How to choose fabric for upholstering chairs so that it fits perfectly into the overall interior of the room.

There is no point in working with a chair or armchair with a rotten base (this may also be partly why the popularity of this method has fallen greatly, because people began to buy cheap furniture made from materials designed to last 10 years).

But if you have a chair, armchair or sofa in your home with a well-preserved body (usually made of natural wood), and the stuffing and upholstery that has lost its shape, you can easily reupholster it, thereby saving money and greatly changing the interior. If your furniture is made of solid wood, compare the prices for new similar furniture and for reupholstering furniture - it is possible that it is more profitable to reupholster.

In the photo on the left you see an example of a well-preserved case: the wood is old, but strong, without rot, not dried out, without bugs, without chips or breaks. It will last another 20 years, or even more. The presented update method is just for such things.

Natural wood Another good thing is that it allows you to greatly vary the design of the case itself, as you can see in the photo above. If you combine reupholstery with updating the body (which is quite logical), then you can paint, stain, varnish, paint, decoupage the wooden body, etc., as you will see in the photo in this article. But veneer, MDF and especially laminated chipboard do not provide such an opportunity.

Subject to reupholstery and restoration old chair with a completely destroyed seat, but a well-preserved body. After work, which included painting the frame, the owners received an almost new chair that will serve for a very long time.

As you can see, radical changes are not necessary - the method allows you to update old furniture, and how you take advantage of this opportunity depends only on your taste and on how exactly you want to change the interior.

As you can see in the photo above, you can get by with a completely conservative redesign.

Change of interior

But you shouldn’t neglect the possibility of change - if your interior is planned in a dynamic spirit, and it’s a pity to throw away old chairs with tapestry upholstery, replace the old fabric with a contrasting one, and get a good result.

Agree, there is something in this - the retro shape and unexpectedly contrasting upholstery look very interesting, adding character and intrigue to the interior.

However, when choosing a contrasting fabric, take into account the number of chairs and, accordingly, the amount of diversity that will go into the interior from them. Not so good in the photo below good example– there are a lot of chairs, they are large, so the interior is overloaded.

For metal furniture

Reupholstery is very suitable for old metal furniture. The old paint peels off, the upholstery deteriorates, but nothing is done to the body (unless, of course, it is rusted through). Paint the body and replace the seat - and you have a new chair or stool.

The latter is especially common with inexpensive metal stools and chairs with leatherette seats, as in the photos above and below. Leatherette Low quality it quickly cracks, tears, the stuffing comes out, gets dirty, etc. But metal legs and the base remain quite normal. This method is an excellent solution; In addition, this is a great opportunity to dramatically change the interior.

Cottage and country house

Furniture is often reupholstered when sending things to the dacha - so, on the one hand, there is no need to buy new furniture for the summer house, on the other hand, why does the furniture at the dacha have to be peeling and with dented seats? It can be updated.

When decorating a dacha, sofas are made from old chairs entrance area or kitchens.

Ordinary chairs and computer chairs are reupholstered, matching the finishing colors to the main colors of the interior - the possibilities for reupholstering furniture are very wide.

And here I would like to warn you against being overly enthusiastic about these possibilities. This is a tool, you need to know how to use it. In the photo below you can see two common mistakes.

In the photo above on the left, the color in which the chair body was painted does not match the color of the new upholstery at all, although the color itself is good, but it and the upholstery are from completely different styles. In the photo above on the right you can see an example of the wrong use of rhyme - the fabric of the chair is too similar to the fabric of the bedspread, and the two patterns clash. A plain peach fabric for the reupholstery would be just right.

I repeat - the number of chairs you use also matters if the fabric you choose is patterned. The photo above is the same case when it would be better to make some of the chairs plain.

But using different main fabrics for upholstery and one finishing fabric (combined with each main fabric) is a great idea. The photo above shows just such an example - two identical chairs are upholstered in different fabrics and trimmed on the sides with the same fabric, plus a sofa cushion is made in the same fabric.

In general, when ordering work, buy more fabric than you need for the banner itself - you can make it out of sofa cushions or other textile accessories that will greatly enliven the interior.

Here the sofa cushions lie on the chairs themselves, but in general they are intended for sofas. Such an unobtrusive rhyme greatly decorates the interior.