Repurpose an old chair. Do-it-yourself office chair reupholstery: features, instructions and recommendations

One of the simplest and unexpected ways update an old chair - repainting its upholstery. This option will help if the upholstery is not damaged, but, for example, you need to hide stains or just want to change its color. You can repaint the upholstery using spray paint or paint from a can. Choose universal paint or acrylic for fabric, and before you start painting, you can apply a layer of special primer. You can find paint and primer at hardware, art and craft stores. The bonus of such a remodel is that the painted upholstery acquires not only new color, but also water repellent properties, and stains from it can most often simply be removed with a damp cloth.

You will need:

Fabric paint;

A large brush for covering wide surfaces and a small brush, which is more convenient for painting edges;

- container for mixing paint;

Spray bottle with water;

If desired, use masking tape, which can be used to protect the wooden parts of the chair from paint getting on them, and you can do without a primer).

1. First, remove the cushions from the chair. Clean off all the dust, wipe the upholstery with a damp cloth; if there are significant greasy stains, it is better to treat them with a stain remover so that they do not prevent the paint from laying flat.

2. If you wish, coat the surface of the chair with primer. You can do without it. In this case, first saturate the upholstery with water by spraying it with a spray bottle. Don't forget the chair cushion(s). While the upholstery is still wet, dilute some paint with water in a 1:1 ratio and saturate the upholstery with this mixture. This step is especially important if the upholstery of your chair is made of thick fabric. Before painting, you can protect the wooden parts of the chair with masking tape.

3. When the first layer is completely dry, you can begin the second. This time cover the chair with undiluted paint. Carefully brush over all corners, painting all the necessary areas of the upholstery.

5. If you wish, you can decorate the finished chair with decor by placing it on glue. Ready!

More ideas for re-upholstered chairs:

2. How to reupholster a chair: master class

This method is, of course, more complicated than repainting. However, by reupholstering, you can almost completely renew an old chair, getting rid of holes and scuffs and getting an almost new piece for your interior.

You will need:

Fabric for upholstery (choose durable, dense fabric);

Scissors;

Sewing machine and thread;

Furniture stapler and staples for it;

Glue gun;

Braid for decoration;

A screwdriver to remove staples from the upholstery of an old chair.

1. Using a screwdriver, carefully remove the staples securing the upholstery parts to the chair. The removed parts will serve as patterns for new upholstery parts of the same type. You can remove not all of the upholstery or, if you wish, not remove it at all. Then you will have to take measurements from the chair and make patterns for new upholstery parts.

Photo: awesomesauceassashattery.com

2. Cut out new upholstery parts from fabric, not forgetting about an allowance of at least 2 cm. Start attaching them to the chair with a furniture stapler, as shown in the photo.

Photo: awesomesauceassashattery.com

3. The piece for the back of the chair may need to be constructed from several pieces to ensure it fits well on the chair. Having sewn it, attach the part with a stapler to the back, folding the edges of the fabric.

Photo: awesomesauceassashattery.com

4. Tape and a glue gun will help hide the attachment points of the back part.

Photo: awesomesauceassashattery.com

5. Finally, sew a new cover for the chair cushion.

Photo: awesomesauceassashattery.com

More ideas for upholstered chairs:

Photo: fourgenerationsoneroof.com

Photo: lovelylittlelife-hannah.blogspot.com

3. How to restore an old “grandmother’s” chair: master class

Several decades ago, such chairs were in almost every Soviet apartment, and in some houses and dachas they have survived to this day. By the way, today such “grandmother’s” chairs, like other items of Soviet design, are again in fashion. No wonder: the design of this chair is simple and durable, it is comfortable, elegant and laconic. In order for an old piece of furniture to decorate your interior, the chair needs to be restored.

Working technology:

1. Remove the wooden parts of the legs and armrests, clean them of old varnish, if necessary, glue them and cover them with several layers of new varnish.

2. Carefully remove the old upholstery fabric. If necessary, replace the foam rubber by attaching it with a furniture stapler.

3. Using the old upholstery pieces, cut out new ones and attach them to the chair with a furniture stapler.

4. Screw on the parts of the legs and armrests.

Ideas for remodeling a “grandmother’s” chair:

Surely every home has old furniture that is both a shame to throw away and difficult to update. Of course, if this furniture is very bulky or is only the pitiful remains of furniture, then it would be better to part with it. But in the case where it just doesn't look quite right and is a little broken, you can try to work on it.

Do not rush to throw a broken chair in the trash, if the damage is not very serious or the upholstery is simply worn out, you can repair the old chair with your own hands.

Now we will talk about repairing an old Soviet-style chair with wooden armrests. It’s quite easy to repair such a piece of furniture yourself, since chairs can also be repaired in a similar way, and you don’t have to spend big money for materials and especially for work. And the process will not take much time and will be very exciting.

Tools and materials

Old upholstery is carefully cut away stationery knife, then it will serve as a template for new upholstery.

Before you begin repairs, you need to immediately prepare materials and tools. Some tools can be rented if cash won't let you buy it. So, to repair a chair with your own hands you will need:

• wood glue;
• stain and varnish of the desired shade for legs and armrests;
• tassels;
• thick foam rubber for decorating the seat and back;
• wooden boards;
• furniture stapler;
• pencil and tape measure for markings;
• Sander;
• screwdriver, hammer and nails;
• self-tapping screws;
• cotton fabric;
• large scissors;
• wood putty;
• sandpaper;
• upholstery fabric.

When preparing the material, keep in mind that it is better to take a fabric that is dense and does not fall apart. And all additional wooden parts must be pre-treated with anti-fungal impregnation and dried thoroughly. Then you can start repairing.

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Disassembly and preparation

The foam rubber is cut along the contour of the seat with a margin, glue is applied along the edges and the foam rubber is stretched.

To begin with, the entire chair must be disassembled into armrests, backrest, seat and backrest. This is easy to do if you first completely empty the chair of upholstery and soft filling. After this, using a screwdriver (chisel), all the bolts are unscrewed and the chair is disassembled into pieces. This will make the restoration much easier.

Now let's get down to repairs. First of all, the wooden parts need to be examined: if they have cracks or chips, everything needs to be fixed. Minor defects can be removed with putty or regular wood glue. But if the parts are very damaged, you can replace them or line them with new boards, which are cut exactly to the same size.

When the glue or putty is dry, start sanding. This process is carried out using fine- or coarse-grained sandpaper. The exact texture depends on the wood fibers: the thicker they are, the rougher the paper should be. You need to sand thoroughly so that the surface of the wood becomes as smooth as possible. Places that have been puttied also need to be treated with such sandpaper. If sanding is not enough, you can use a sanding machine.

When this is ready, you need to clean all the wooden parts from dust with a dry cloth and cover them with stain. When it is absorbed (about 7 hours), it will be possible to coat the wood with varnish. To achieve maximum naturalness, keep the varnish layer thin. This will be quite enough to protect the tree. You need to wait about 3 days for it to dry (ideally).

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Frame assembly and filling installation

The new upholstery fabric is stretched and fixed with a furniture stapler with reverse side seats.

Now your task is to reconnect all the frame parts with each other. This can be easily done using self-tapping screws in the same places where the connections were before. Just additionally secure the screws with wood glue - it will be more reliable. Immediately check the evenness and strength of the joints and, if necessary, knock everything down with a hammer.

Now you need to replace or tighten the furniture straps at the bottom of the seat. They are pulled crosswise with maximum force. They are secured with special nails. The bottom of the chair is then covered over the straps with a durable fabric that will protect the straps from premature wear. The fabric is also stretched and secured with small nails and furniture staples.

The next stage is working with the filler. First, ordinary cotton fabric is stretched and stapled to the seat and backrests, and then foam rubber is glued onto it and additionally secured with staples. It is first marked and cut out. Try to cut the foam rubber a little oversized. You need to glue it carefully. In this case, the glue is applied precisely along the edges in a thin layer, paying special attention to the corners. Under no circumstances apply it in the middle. The front part of the foam on the seat and back should be larger and slightly curved to make sitting comfortable.

Self-upholstery upholstered furniture- the task is not as simple as it might seem at first glance. To make the updated chair look modern, stylish and appropriate, you need to study the technology and strictly follow the instructions.

If the upholstery on an old chair has become unusable, do not rush to throw it away, just reupholster it with new fabric.

For the restoration to be successful, you need to take into account all the details; only with a thorough approach to the matter will the updated furniture look good. This scheme of work can be used to update any upholstered furniture. But if the worn-out sofa or chair has a complex shape, it is better to turn to professionals (Fig. 1).

Preparatory work

To reupholster a chair you will need not only materials and tools, you also need to have sufficient sewing skills and perseverance. Shouldn't be ignored preparatory stage, otherwise difficulties may arise at the most inopportune moment.

For successful reupholstery you will need:

• screwdriver;
• pliers;
• anti-stapler;
• furniture fabric;
• foam;
• padding polyester;
• strong threads;
• scissors, needles, pins;
• sewing machine;
• stapler with staples.

Figure 1. Chair diagram.

If the chair has wooden parts, you will additionally need sandpaper, stain or furniture varnish.

First of all, you need to photograph the furniture from different angles. This will greatly simplify the assembly process and avoid incidents. Once the alteration item has been captured, you can move on to the next stage.

The chair needs to be disassembled. Remove everything decorative elements and pillows. If you reupholster the surface and leave the wooden parts in a worn-out state, the overall impression will be hopelessly spoiled.

Next, you need to very carefully remove the old upholstery. It is important not to damage the fabric, as it will act as a pattern. You can use an anti-staple gun, a screwdriver and any other tools with a flat edge for this work. After the fabric is removed, you need to measure it and calculate how much fabric will be needed to sew new upholstery. It is important to take into account the supply of material for hems and darts.

It is necessary to assess the condition of the soft part of the chair. If the foam rubber shows signs of dirt and wear, it should be replaced. It is better to do this right away, so that after a few years the updated chair will not surprise you with a change in shape.

Figure 2. Fabrics such as tapestry, jacquard, matting, velor, and chenille are suitable for upholstering a chair.

After that you can go to the store for consumables. To work, you will need foam rubber 3-5 cm thick, standard or increased hardness. This sealant is used for furniture production, and can be purchased in specialized stores. You will need upholstery material; it is better to choose fabric labeled “furniture”. Tapestry, jacquard, matting, velor, and chenille are suitable for finishing upholstered furniture (Fig. 2). When purchasing, you need to take into account the supply of material. The presence of a pattern on the fabric will increase the consumption by about 1-2 steps of repetition of image elements. And, of course, threads suitable shade

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you need to take durable ones designed for working with furniture. Reinforced threads 45-70 LL are suitable (lavsan is an analogue of polyester).

Intermediate stage of restoration

Once all the tools and materials have been prepared, restoration can begin.

The first step is to update the armrests, legs and all wooden elements. They must be carefully processed using sandpaper, covered with stain or varnish and left to dry.

Figure 3. Carefully remove the old upholstery from the chair and disconnect all the parts to create a new pattern.

Then you can move on to making new upholstery. The old one, if this has not been done before, needs to be ripped open, taking care not to damage the fabric. Each part should be numbered and set aside. After this, you need to mark and cut out the new upholstery (Fig. 3). It is most convenient to do this on the floor. Marks are applied using a special marker, chalk or a simple pencil. It is more convenient to cut with large, sharp scissors. After all the parts are cut out, you need to process the sections so that the fabric does not unravel. The easiest way is to hem using the double hem method or lightly singe on. When choosing the second method, you need to act extremely carefully, checking the reaction of the material on unnecessary trimmings.

After this, you need to sew all the parts of the new upholstery on a sewing machine. It’s better to “try on” a new case several times than to redo everything.

Once the upholstery is ready, you can move on to the main part of the work on restoring the chair.

An armchair is an integral attribute of the interior, which is found in almost every home. A person uses this furniture almost every day, which leads to a deterioration in its condition. An operation such as chair repair will help restore the technical parameters of the structure.

Features of furniture restoration

Furniture repair is a complex operation that depends on the type of product and the breakdown itself. Today, such operations are rarely carried out independently. It is advisable to entrust the solution of such tasks to experienced specialists, who will complete them much faster and with better quality.

Furniture restoration means restoring not only its functionality, but also its appearance. A special feature of upholstered furniture is that it uses fabric upholstery. To repair the internal structure, the fabric will need to be removed or replaced. This operation also requires certain skills and effort.

What can you do with your own hands?

A broken chair is not always a problem, as you can try to restore its condition yourself. There are several types of operations that can be easily performed at home:

1. Padding. This process involves replacing old fabric with new one. This also includes changing the filling (foam rubber, etc.) and restoring the internal structure of the chair. If necessary, the wooden surface itself can be restored.
2. Upholstery. This approach involves upholstering the surface of the chair with fabric to update its appearance. Such operations are often performed on old rigid structures, the surface of which is not so easy to restore with paint.
3. Repair. This general concept, which includes the previously discussed operations. But often this word refers to all repair work associated with restoring the condition of the chair frame. This includes strengthening the structure with metal corners, replacing legs or seats, as well as restoring the surface of the material using paint and sanding.

To carry out all the previously described operations, you should not only have experience, but also stock up on many special tools.

Accessories

Modern chairs are made from various materials. The design of such modifications consists of many elements that can be replaced if necessary. Often these chairs include office models that are equipped with a gas lift mechanism. To restore such products, you may need several types of components:

1. Rollers. This mechanism is made from various types plastic. When choosing this product, it is important to consider its purpose, connector type and fixation method.
2. Gas lift. Almost all office chairs are equipped with this element, which allows you to hold the chair at a certain height. There are several types of these structures on the market today. It is important to pay attention to the type of mechanism that was previously used in the damaged chair.
3. Cross. Plays the role of a supporting element. They are made in the form of a 5-ray star, to which rollers are attached. When purchasing, it is important to pay attention to the quality of the material and the way the parts are connected.

There are many other components that will be needed when repairing such furniture. This can include everything from small handles and bolts to specialized fabrics.

How to re-string: step-by-step guide

One of the ways to restore an old leather chair is to reupholster it. This process is quite lengthy and labor-intensive. First of all, new fabric is purchased. Upholstery can be done with leather or other popular materials. Some experts also recommend purchasing substances for padding (foam rubber, batting). To simplify the reupholstering operation, you also need to have a stapler, nails, hammer, etc.

The algorithm for solving this problem can be described in several successive steps:

1. The first stage involves removing the fabric from the bottom of the chair. In simple models, this part is fixed only from the bottom. But there are complex models, so it is important to initially free this part and then proceed with the remaining operations.
2. After this, the fabric is completely removed from the surface of the structure. It is important to do this consistently to prevent any damage to the elements. Please note that each element of the chair is covered with one piece of fabric. Therefore, it must be freed sequentially, layer by layer. You should not tear these elements, as they will then need to be used as blanks for cutting.
3. The next step is to dismantle the old foam upholstery. To remove it, you should carefully unbend it and remove all the metal brackets with which it was secured. Also try not to tear the material, which will later be used as blanks when replacing foam rubber.
4. Cut out the material. This operation involves the formation of new upholstery elements. To do this, use old pieces of fabric that were attached to the armrests, backrest and seat. The size of the new elements should be slightly larger than the old ones. This is due to the fact that it is not always possible to predict how accurately the fabric will fit. Therefore, it is better to take it with a reserve.
5. This step involves fixing the foam. Previously prepared pieces are sequentially placed on a specific part of the chair. If the foam protrudes in certain places, then it should be cut off. This way it is formed appearance each element. Then a padding polyester is placed on top of the foam rubber. After this, both substances are fixed to the frame using a stapler. It is important to attach them so that they follow the contours of individual parts of the structure.
6. The process is completed by attaching the fabric. This operation is very similar to the previous one. But it is important to place the pieces correctly on the surface. Before fixing, carefully align the fabric and tension it. Initially nailed with staples middle part blanks. This is necessary in order to avoid distortions. Then each of the corners is sequentially stretched and secured using a stapler.

How to sheathe it yourself?

The process of upholstering a chair is slightly different from reupholstering, although in many ways it is very similar to it. This operation involves covering the chair with fabric. For such purposes, only furniture is used that was not originally equipped with fabric upholstery.

Upholstery technology involves performing several sequential operations:

1. Before upholstering a chair at home, you should stock up on some tools and materials. To perform such operations you will need fabric. Products made from bamboo, cotton and other natural materials can be used as this substance. It is important that the fabric can withstand constant loads and retain its properties. long time. You will also need a stapler, scissors, etc.
2. At this stage you need to disassemble the chair into separate parts. This will significantly speed up the sheathing process. At the same time, try to remember in what order the elements were dismantled, so that in the future it is easy to assemble the structure back.
3. After this, fabric blanks are made. They are cut out in accordance with the dimensions of the individual element of the chair. Try to use substances with a small margin in order to be able to adjust the location of the material on the surface. If you are planning to do easy chair, foam rubber is placed inside it. This substance also takes up a certain volume, which should be taken into account when forming a fabric blank.
4. The final stage is sheathing. They start with small parts, such as the armrest. The plating algorithm is quite simple. Initially, the fabric is placed on the surface of the product and stretched a little so that it is level. It is advisable to do this with an assistant, which will significantly speed up the process. When everything is in place, the material is nailed to the frame with inside. It is important to constantly monitor the tension to prevent distortion.

All other elements are sheathed according to the same principle. If necessary, the material can be trimmed.

How to update old furniture: ideas

Old chairs are often very strong and durable. But after a long period of use, they lose their attractive appearance. Do not rush to throw away such furniture, as it can be easily restored.

The technology for updating a chair depends, first of all, on its design. This can be done using several approaches:

1. Pieces from the 60s can be restored simply by changing the upholstery. This process is relatively simple. The main thing is to choose the right fabric style. Some designers recommend using several color shades that will fit into the overall interior.
2. Restoration of the external covering. This approach involves changing the paint layer on wooden or metal surfaces. It is used for chairs made of rattan, wood, wicker and other natural products. This also includes restoration of natural or artificial leather (painting, cleaning, etc.).
3. Replacement of certain elements. An old chair will look original if you replace the armrest with a product of a different shape. You can do the same with the legs or back. Here everything depends only on your imagination and capabilities.

How to repair it yourself?

Chairs today have different designs, on which the algorithm depends repair work. If this is an ordinary wooden product, then repairing it is quite simple. It is necessary to identify the problem, which is often poor-quality fasteners or a violation of the structure of the material. This can be fixed by replacing wooden element(backrest elements, frame base, etc.) with a new one or simply tightening the bolt.

More difficult to repair are shell chairs, which often have fabric outer upholstery. To get to the breakdown, you first need to dismantle the fabric. The process of repairing such chairs is much more complicated, so it is not always possible at home.

Office chairs are mechanisms that consist of several parts. There are many reasons why this design loses its characteristics:

1. Rollers falling out. Often this can only be corrected by replacing the crosspiece or these moving elements. It is important to first check the cause of the breakdown (broken hole, missing retaining ring on the roller, etc.).
2. Gas lift malfunction. There are also several reasons here, including improper fastening of the piastrum or malfunction of the control lever mechanism. Therefore, you should check these attributes first.
3. Breakage of the cross. The functionality of this element can only be restored by replacing it with a new one.
4. The back does not spring. The main cause of this problem is the violation of the integrity of the metal parts inside. Sometimes the spring mechanism also fails. Operation can only be restored by replacing parts with new ones.

Unfortunately, sooner or later any chair loses its appearance. After all, the more convenient it is, the more often it is used, and, accordingly, the upholstery of the chair wears out faster. In addition, a good-quality chair may not fit into the updated interior after another renovation. All these problems will be solved by upholstering the chair with new fabric.

Another reason to resort to this is the purchase of an inexpensive, faceless “semi-finished product” that requires a beautiful cover or replacement of the upholstery to give it individuality. This is the chair that will be used as an example. The upholstery of the chair is made of linen, which is usually used for upholstering the bottoms of chairs and the backs of sofas facing the wall. This material does not have increased wear resistance and is not treated with dirt and water-repellent impregnations, like special furniture fabrics. Therefore, it quickly loses its appearance and requires replacement.

Tools and materials:

• pliers
• furniture stapler and staples
• screwdriver
• ripper
• tailor's scissors
• safety pins
• marker
• mixed fabric for internal parts
• decorative furniture fabric
• padding polyester 25 mm thick
• strong threads 45 - 70 LL (reinforced lavsan-lavsan threads usually used in the manufacture of upholstered furniture)
• sewing machine and needle for heavy fabrics (No. 100)
• confident sewing skills

1. Take a camera and photograph the chair from all sides, paying special attention to the nodes - the places where several pieces of fabric join. These photos will come in handy when you need to assemble a new case from the patterns. Don't trust your memory.
2. Unscrew the legs. Use a screwdriver to pry up the furniture staples and remove them using pliers.
3. Remove the old fabric from the chair. Open the seams that prevent you from doing this, and then use a ripper to separate the cover into parts. There is no need to cut the fabric with scissors, because all parts should remain exactly in the form in which they were made by the manufacturer of the chair.
4. Iron the pieces and sign them.
5. If it occurs to you to wash the parts, and after washing they have shrunk significantly, then you have to do the following: take a piece of cheap fabric, using safety pins secure it to the chair so that it duplicates the decorative upholstery. Pin the darts together and draw them with a marker. Once you remove the fabric from the chair, the details should be drawn on it. Add seam allowances, making sure that symmetrical pieces are truly symmetrical. This method of constructing patterns is also used when old upholstery cannot be removed, but an additional removable cover is made to update the chair.

6. Calculate how long a piece of decorative furniture fabric you will need. To do this, you need to prepare a cutting plan. Lay out the pieces so that they fit 1.4 meters wide. This is the standard width of special furniture fabrics. Arrange the parts so that the longitudinal thread of the fabric runs along the seat and along the back, and across the arms of the chair. The sample chair does not have armrests, so when cutting, only the general direction of the threads is observed (all parts lie across the longitudinal thread of the warp).

7. If the fabric you choose has a graphic design that will need to be joined, the cutting plan must be made directly on the fabric, purchased with a decent margin. You should also take into account the direction of the pile if you have chosen a pile material. Usually the cutting is done in such a way that the pile is directed downwards.
8. Cut out the parts with a small margin in case the new case does not fit perfectly. Baste the pieces using a temporary hand stitch.
9. Inspect the chair. Strengthen loose parts, tighten screws and nuts. Replace caked padding polyester. Try on the cover, temporarily securing it with several staples in places where the fabric is hidden from view. If the fabric runs in waves, adjust the pattern by removing excess in the seams or, conversely, adding where the fabric is too stretched. The patterns may not fit right away, because the old upholstery most likely became deformed during use. Make as many fittings as necessary to eliminate all defects. A hand needle will not leave marks, whereas cutting a machine stitch will leave punctures that will ruin the appearance of the fabric.

10. Prepare sewing machine to work with heavy fabrics according to. Check the quality of the seam on unnecessary remnants of fabric. Stitch all the details. Make cuts in the seam allowances in places where one piece is sewn to another along a curved line or at a right angle so that these allowances do not pull the material from the inside.

11. Put a new cover on the chair. It is better to use two people to secure the fabric with staples in order to be able to stretch the cover evenly. On the sample chair, the inner contour is first fixed, then the outer fabric is attached to the bottom. Excess fabric goes into folds that are invisible on the visible part of the back of the chair.

Then, using a stapler, the inner part of the seat is secured.

12. In those places where the holes for the legs are located, you need to make holes in the fabric and screw the legs.
13. Line the removable part of the seat (in our case, a piece of foam rubber) with padding polyester and insert it into a new cover.

At first glance, reupholstering a chair may seem like a simple and enjoyable task. This is true if you have sufficient sewing skills, patience and free time. For the first time it is better to choose an office chair or simple shapes, tending to a rectangle. It is better to entrust the reupholstery of a lush chair with a complex volumetric structure to professionals.