How to Reupholster A Chair For Beginners

Office chairs are no longer the boring piece of furniture you buy once, staying in the farthest corner. Office chairs come in all shapes and sizes and have different looks because the importance of aesthetics in office furniture is huge. The type and looks of office furniture in a workplace make a person feel more welcomed and motivated to work.

Hence, your chair doesn't look pretty enough to reupholster the office chair. Though reupholstering an office chair seat is an expensive job, especially if you get it done, the benefits are many. You get a new look in your home office, you can get a more comfortable upholstery choice, and you can also enjoy your computer ergonomic chair by matching it to the new office theme you just got.

Besides that, some people don't like to spend a lot on upholstered task chairs; hence they would love to take DIY on this job. Thankfully you have come to the right place. This article will cover reupholster office chair DIY and all the things you need to transform an ergonomic chair into a new one fully.

How to Upholster and Office Chair At Home

Although each type of chair or sofa requires a different upholstery procedure, the root process remains the same. Hence it is wise to break down the process into relevant steps but before that, let's start about what you need to get the upholstery job done successfully.

What do you need for Upholstery?

Gladly upholstery doesn't require many items, just a few tools that are used properly to create the right product. You will need, first of all, a chair that needs to be upholstered. Before you get on this DIY Job, you need an upholstery fabric that will be replacing the old one. Now it is a common question: what is the best fabric to reupholster an office chair? But we will be covering that later on.

Thirdly you will need a staple gun and some staplers to hold the new upholstery into place, and lastly, you require an upholstery sewing machine and an upholstery thread. Once you collect all these things, below is a careful step-by-step guide you need to follow.

Remove the Old Fabric

Since you will be constructing the same chair with a different fabric, it is wise to photograph the upholstery chair. This will help you realize what the final picture should look like and who doesn't love a little before and after taking on a DIY project.

Then carefully disassemble the chair and remove the upholstery fabric. Make sure you are as careful as possible and do not tear away any upholstery because later, it will be helpful during the pattern making. Remove the black cloth from the chair's bottom, then loosen the components that are joined to the frame. Remove the components and use a marking pen to indicate each one's location on the chair.

The Old Batting

If you have a mesh back ergonomic chair or an office chair with a mesh seat, then the upholstery will be limited to one side, but if you have a chair with batting, you need to check the quality and status of batting too. Remove old batting from the chair back and seat if worn or discolored. Examine the springs and webbing for any damage and, if necessary, make repairs. If desired, sand, prime, and paint the frame or legs; let dry.

The New Upholstery

If you are cleaning the chair deeply, you should know how to clean the office chair, but if we are talking about a totally new DIY, then it's time to cut the pattern from the new upholstery fabric you have chosen. 

This is when you use the previously removed upholstery to make a new pattern. Place the previously removed fabric pieces with the rough side upwards on the wrong side of the new fabric, paying attention to the grain, pattern positioning, and pattern direction.

Pin the pattern in place and cut around it, leaving 2 to 3 inches of fabric beyond the original pieces' stapled edges. This will give you fabric to stapling with. This process is simple and fun, and you need to repeat it on all the sides of the chair. Before you cut the pattern, make sure your upholstery is wrinkle-free.

Attach the Fabric

Then when you obtain the right pattern, use the same labels that you placed when removing the old upholstery onto the new upholstery; this will help you guide which side of the office chair fabric goes on either side of the chair. Carefully place your cut fabric on the chair and spread it to ensure no marks, wrinkles or bubbles.

Pull the cloth taut and staple it to the apron of the chair seat when you're satisfied with the fit. Use as many staples as you need to keep the fabric secure and smooth. Make sure staples are placed on the back of the chair where they will be hidden by the back covering. Remove any excess fabric.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it Expensive to Reupholster an Office Chair?

To reupholster an office chair yourself is cheaper than getting it reupholstered from a professional. This is because you will be saving the labor cost, which is usually paid in terms of amount per hour. Typically, the reupholster costs $60 to $100 per hour. And you can save this amount when you do this at home.

Is it Worth Reupholstering a Chair At Home?

Because high-quality furniture is meant to last, it's always worth reupholstering. If the frame is robust and made of hardwood, it's likely to be sturdy and worth keeping.

How to Choose the Best Upholstery Fabric?

Choose a fabric that reflects your style and the atmosphere of the room's decor. Consider the pattern's scale. It should be proportional to both the size of the furniture it covers and the size of the room.

What Qualities to look for in an Upholstery Fabric?

Since you will be using this chair almost daily (if an office chair), you must plan the choice accordingly. Choose a fabric that has color fastness and is resistant to abrasion. You must also look for a fabric that doesn't stain easily or is easy to clean.

Always choose a fabric that is soft and doesn't cause you allergies. It is also important that you choose a fabric that doesn't retain heat, so you don't feel hot and sweat profusely while sitting and working.