Re-Upholstery 101

(Image courtesy of Haeckel Haus Co.)

We all have that one piece of furniture that doesn’t match our decor that we just can’t seem to get rid of. Maybe it’s the rocking chair that your grandma used to rock you to sleep in, or the couch that you’ve had since college, either way you and that furniture are in it for the long haul. Just because something has sentimental value, doesn’t mean that it will always match your vision for a room.

Rather than wrestling with the decision to part with a favorite chair, you can always opt to update the look of your old pieces. It’s easy to fit older pieces into your decor with the right ideas guiding the way. This article from renters.apartments.com has all the tips you need to get started redesigning your favorite piece of furniture. Keep reading to get started.

The best tip for beginners is to start with something small. Reupholstering an entire couch is best left to professionals or very experienced DIYers. A good place to start is with dining room chairs. If the chair already has attached cushions, simply remove them and strip off the existing fabric. You can use the old fabric as your guide for the dimensions of your new cover. Other tools you’ll need include a staple gun, screwdriver and tape measure. You can find a full tutorial on HGTV.com.

If the chairs don’t already have cushions, you can dress them up by making new ones. Elle Decorhas a tutorial that requires a cushion, sewing machine, zipper and upholstery fabric. You can also make ties using the same fabric to attach the cushion to the back of the chairs so they don’t slip off.

If you’re ready to take on a larger project, like an armchair, Better Homes & Gardens has some tips. Keep in mind that this is a pretty big undertaking that involves stripping the chair down to its base, making sure it’s in good condition, and buying heavy duty upholstery fabric. A project like this can cost $400 or more.

For a cheaper and easier option, you may want to consider slipcovers for dated or stained loveseats, ottomans and couches. Check out this tutorial from DIY Network that uses a painter’s drop cloth to cover two chairs for under $30.