How to recover an old chair in five easy steps

The chair

A small metal chair with a removable seat is the prefect chair for this crafty makeover. We found ours for $8 at Value Village.

Step 1

Step 2

Take the chair outside and spray paint, giving it one or two coats, depending on the colour you’ve chosen. Make sure you’ve removed any loose paint and dirt before you get started. A light sand helps the paint stick better, but is not necessary if the chair is slightly “beat-up”.

Step 3

Using a flat screwdriver or small crowbar, remove the stables holding the fabric onto the chair seat. If the padding is in good shape, you’re ready to move onto the next step. If it needs a little work add a layer of batting (available at craft and fabric stores) before you staple on the finished fabric.

Step 4

Lay the chair seat on the fabric, back side up. It’s helpful to mark the front of the chair so you know which way to run the fabric. Also, if your fabric has a pattern, make sure the pattern is centered on the seat before you cut it out.

Step 5

Now the fun begins. Using a stapler or electric staple gun, begin by stapling the fabric to the top and bottom of the seat, then the sides. Then work your way around the seat, making small folds as you go if you are upholstering a round chair.

Step 6

Trim excess fabric and screw the seat back onto the chair.

The result

This revamped chair is now perfect for any place you need extra seating.

Fabric, Amy Butler laminated in trumpeted flowers/pink at MacFab; Docksta dining table, Markland floor, Ribba frame, Ikea; Rust-Oleum touch paint in Key Lime, Rust-Oleum; Chair, Value Village