What do I need to reupholster a chair?
- 1′′ x 24′′ x 24′′ high-density foam.
- 1/2′′ to 3/4′′ plywood (if needed)
- 24′′ x 24′′ landscape fabric (optional)
- 30′′ x 30′′ quilt batting.
- 30′′ x 30′′ upholstery fabric.
- Upholstery staples.
What do I need to reupholster a chair?
When reupholstering an old piece, Verdi says, you might be able to salvage the old batting if it’s been kept in a temperate, dry location (like your parents’ house).
So long as the old fabric isn’t darker than your new fabric, you can even upholster right over it
.
As a general rule, using 54′′ wide fabric, 3/4 yard will work for 2 chairs. Three-quarters yards will give you two pieces that are 27′′ x 27′′. If you have four chairs, you will need 1.5 yards, six chairs takes 2.25 yards, eight chair seats take
3 yards
, and so on.
No problem. Just pull a few staples and start over. Reupholstering is a great way to bring tired-looking chairs-even tired-looking rooms-back to life.
The materials are relatively inexpensive, the tools are simple and it’s a project almost anyone can tackle with success
.
Needled Wool Batting
: Strong and durable and most commonly used to cover springs in upholstery, though it can be used for stuffing as well.
The different types of upholstery fabric include
cotton, linen, wool, leather, acetate, hemp, silk, polyester, polypropylene, acrylic, rayon, and nylon
. Upholstery fabric can be constructed from one type of yarn or a blend of yarns. Choosing the correct upholstery fabric will ensure the longevity of your furniture.
Upholstery Foam Sheets
Thickness should be
between 3/8′′ and 30′′ (1–76 cm)
.
Seat and chair cushions are generally available from
3 to 8 inches
thick. Anything less than this would be considered a seat pad.
As a general rule, using 54′′ wide fabric, 3/4 yard will work for 2 chairs. Three-quarters yards will give you two pieces that are 27′′ x 27′′. If you have four chairs, you will need 1.5 yards, six chairs takes
2.25 yards
, eight chair seats take 3 yards, and so on.
Average Chair Upholstery Prices
On average, it costs between
$200 to $1,000
to reupholster a chair. Upholstery fabrics cost between $30 to $60 per yard and labor charges are about $50 to $100 per hour.
Microfiber is one the most durable fabrics, besides leather
. Check to make sure it is 100 percent polyester so that it does not stain, fade, or leave water marks if you splash water on it. It is easy to clean and stands up well.
Kevlar
is probably the most well-known bulletproof fabric. It’s a lightweight synthetic material that is strong and heat resistant.
The average width for fabric you’d find in a local craft store or fabric store is
between 40 and 60 inches
. When you see fabric rolled up on rectangular cardboard bolts, it’s safe to assume that the width is going to fall somewhere between 35 inches and 108 inches.
Bear in mind that if there’s only one cover on the cushion, you can recover the chair without even removing the old fabric; simply
lay the new fabric over the old
. When dealing with a cushion that has more than one cover, however, take off the top layer by drawing out the staples that hold it in place.