DIY Reupholstering an Accent Chair

Choose an upholstery fabric that is stain resistant and matches the look of your living space. For instance, select a striped fabric that matches the color scheme used in your living area -- although it is best for beginners to keep the upholstery fabric simple rather than having to match stripes or another pattern..

Use needlenose pliers to remove the staples and tacks holding the old fabric in place. Be careful when removing the old fabric, since these pieces will serve as the template for your new fabric.

Lay the old fabric on top of your new material and cut around it, leaving roughly 2 inches of extra fabric on all sides.

Add new batting to the seat, arms and back of the chair, if required. Use a staple gun to hold the batting in place.

Start with the back of the chair. Pull the new fabric piece taut and staple it to the back and sides of the wooden frame of the chair. Pull the fabric taut on the seat of the chair and staple it underneath the chair seat.

Lay the fabric across the arms of your accent chair, if it has them. From the back of the chair, fold one third of the fabric forward and pull it taut. Staple the fabric to the arms of the chair. Use a box cutter to cut a slit along the center of the folded fabric so you can wrap the fabric around the arms of the chair.

Line up welting or trim over the seams of the chair and use a glue gun to attach it to the chair.