How to Reupholster a Chair

Clinton Collins, owner of  Home and Closet based in Lincoln, Nebraska, is an upholstery expert who's taught the skill to many others. Some people, he says, want to reupholster to learn a thrifty life skill. Others are seeking a creative outlet, or a connection to the past. Whether you do it to save green or be green (or because you want to ditch Grandma's avocado green!), fixing up furniture always feels better than throwing it out. Here are Collins' tip for reupholstering:

After (above): Hello, pattern! A new coat of paint was a bonus, but the real wow comes from the upholstery refresh. Before (below): Nice lines and a wide seat attracted us to this thrift-store chair.

Good news: You probably already have many of the tools you'll need.

Supplies:

Screwdriver

Upholstery material

Fabric scissors

Pliers or staple/tack puller

Replacement underlining and padding

Permanent marker

Spray adhesive

Wood glue

Bar clamps

Hand staple gun

Instructions

1 Flip chair; remove screws holding seat.

2 Iron new fabric on low, if needed. Use seat as a template to cut new upholstery, keeping pattern orientation in mind and leaving a 6-inch border.

"Every chair is different," Clinton says. Snap pictures as you go to remember how the padding was set and how fabric folds on corners.

3 Use pliers or a staple or tack puller to free underlining and old upholstery. Save underlining to trace a new piece with marker.

4 Replace worn foam with padding no more than 2 inches thick. (Clinton likes NuFoam Densified Polyester.) Attach to seat with spray adhesive.

5 Check frame for breaks and loose joints. Fix with wood glue; clamp and let dry overnight.

6 Starting at the seat front, staple new upholstery to seat underside. Pull it up and over the padding and staple tightly to the back. Repeat on sides. Trim excess material. (Smaller hands? We love Fiskars' DIY tool line. The staple gun is especially comfy to use.)

7 Staple underlining next, folding it under as you go to create a tidy hem and cover the fabric edge.

8 Set chair frame on top, lining up the screw holes. Replace screws.

Clinton shares a few buying tips for best results.

Old is Gold l Pieces from the '60s and earlier are the most sturdy and simple. Try a small ottoman or bench, a dining chair, or an open-arm chair with a padded seat and back. Skip anything with piping or seams.

Tools of the Trade l Ordinary household tools work, but if you sense a hobby brewing, Clinton recommends the C.S. Osborne Starter Upholstery Kit, with specialized tools like curved needles and a tack claw.

Material Gains l Choose thick upholstery-grade material. Small patterns are easiest. Skip unforgiving vinyl or leather. Check out clearance bins or shop online; Clinton loves modern-fabrics.com.

Check out Home and Closet  on Instagram and shop online at homeandclosetvintage.com.

Seconds, please l Many of us buy secondhand because we like a certain historical period or we love the thrill of a bargain. But there's a huge environmental benefit, too. Shopping on Craigslist or at an antiques store or estate sale keeps bulky furniture out of the landfill. Also, because you didn't buy new, you've likely saved a tree, some electricity, transport fuel and more. But wait-there's more! Many thrift stores provide employment training or raise funds for drug and alcohol rehab, veterans, or hospitals. So pat yourself on the (chair) back: Your good find is also a good deed.