How to Upholster or Cover Those Worn Out Dining Room Chair Cushions

Are the cushions to your dining room chairs starting to show their age? Are they stained or torn? Is the color or design outdated or does not match your room's decor any longer? You'd love to just toss them out and buy new ones, however, they're really in too good a shape physically to do that. Not to mention you can't afford a new dining room set. There is a solution that is simple, quick and easy. In just a couple of hours you can recover those cushions and give new life to your old chairs.

To find out how your seat cushion is attached to the chair simply turn the chair upside down and let the seat rest on the table. Now examine the chair to see what screws or bolts you will need to take out to release the seat. Usually there is only one screw in each corner or on each of the four sides. Check the head of the screw to see what type of screwdriver you will need. Some chairs may have square head or hex head screws instead of the standard four way screws. Once you know what type of screwdriver you need, you can collect the few tools you will need to cover the cushions. Besides the screwdriver, you will need a staple gun, electric or manual, but strong enough to use T-50 staples at least 1/2 inch or longer. You will also need a good pair of scissors. And, of course, you will need new material.

When deciding on the new covering for the chairs, you can use just about any type of material you wish. Of course, some types will hold up better than others. Corduroy, velvet, cottons, and some chenille materials will last a long time while others may not hold up as well. That doesn't mean you can't use satin or silk if your heart is set on it. It just means the cushions may need to be recovered a little sooner. Of course, when you realize how easy it is, that won't be a problem.

The problem will be trying to pick a new material to cover the chairs. There are so many colors, textures, and designs available that you may have trouble deciding. There are solids, florals, plaids, and stripes in almost every color imaginable. There are chenilles, velvets, tweeds, suedes, and even leather or faux leather. Just keep in mind that the material you choose will be covering chairs that you may be sitting on with bare legs. Leather can sometimes be cool or even sticky on bare skin. To get an idea of the many designs and types of material, and to save yourself some time, you may want to go online and check out a few sites. Some of these sites will allow you to order free swatches of material. Two such sites are: http://newtoto.stores.yahoo.net and Joann's Fabrics at www.Joann.com

By going online and checking out some of the types of materials available, you will have a better idea of what you want. After you decide, you can either order the material or check some of your local fabric stores or departments. You will need approximately a yard per chair. That's giving you some extra, but it is always better to have too much than not enough.

Once you have your material, gather your tools and get started. First, remove the seats from the chair frames with the correct screwdriver. Unless your present pattern or color will show through the new fabric, I would simply cover over it. If it is too thick or the pattern will show through, you will have to remove the old covering. Simply use a flat head screwdriver and pull the staples out. If you do this, you can actually use the old covering as a pattern. However, be sure you allow a few extra inches all around. You can always cut any excess off or simply staple it down.

Spread your material out, print side down, on a clean, solid surface, such as the table or even the floor. Lay your chair seat, cushion side down, on top of the material. If you are using a plaid or striped pattern, it is important to make sure your pattern is going in the direction you want it to. For example, if you are using a striped material, make sure all the stripes are running from the front to back of the cushion or side to side, whichever you want.

Allow at least six to eight inches of extra material all around the cushion. This will give you enough to fold over the sides and staple on the bottom. Cut out the material. Begin attaching the material by starting on one side and smoothing the material around to the bottom. Staple it enough to hold it. Don't get carried away with that staple gun. You may have to do some adjusting and that could mean removing the staples. Go to the opposite side and smooth the material over the side and staple it. Again, just use enough staples to hold it securely. Check to make sure you have not pulled the pattern out of shape. Next, smooth the material over the back side of the cushion and staple it. Check your pattern again. Then pull the material over the front of the cushion and staple it. Check your pattern again.

You now ready to do the corners. To do these, pull the material over at the outermost edge. Staple it. Then lap the left side over onto the center fold to pull the material snug. Staple it. Do the same with the right side. Do each corner this way. This will give you a smooth rounding to the corners.

Turn the cushion over and check the pattern again. If correct, add enough staples to hold it securely all around. You can now position the cushion back on the chair frame and secure it with the screws. If the pattern is slightly off, smooth it out and re-staple that side.

Continue doing this with the other chairs. After a couple of chairs, you'll feel like an old pro. And you will be wondering why you waited so long to re-cover those ugly old cushions.