How to Add a Seat to a Barstool

Square Seat

• 1

  Measure the length and width of the bar stool seat surface and add 4 inches to both measurements. Increase the measurements if the seat is thicker than 1 inch so there is at least 2 inches of upholstery fabric pulled to the bottom of the seat.

• 2

  Cut out a piece of upholstery fabric using the increased measurements for the length and width. Cut a piece of upholstery foam to the exact measurement of the bar stool. Lay the fabric so the top side faces down and set the foam on top. Position the top of the bar stool seat so the top surface is on top of the foam.

• 3

  Grab the center of the front edge of fabric, pull it to the bottom of the seat and secure it with a staple. Grab the center of the rear edge, pull it to the bottom and secure with a staple. Repeat this step with the center on each side of the seat. Check the top of the seat before securing each side to make sure you are not pulling the fabric too tight and creating ripples or puckers.

• 4

  Secure the remaining loose fabric on each edge, leaving the corners as the last step. Work slowly and cautiously so there are no ripples and puckers created on the top side.

• 5

  Secure the fabric on each corner by folding one side of the corner to create a sharp edge and them stapling the fabric in place. Fold the other side of the corner to create a sharp edge and smooth point and staple the fabric to hold in place. Cut off excess fabric underneath the bar stool.

Round Seat

• 6

  Flip the bar stool and rest the top of the seat on a large piece of paper. Trace around the paper to make an exact tracing of the seat size for the foam cushion. Increase the circumference of the traced circle by drawing a second circle 4 inches larger than the first. Increase the size of the second circle if the seat thickness in more than 1 inch.

• 7

  Cut a piece of upholstery fabric using the larger circle as a pattern. Cut a piece of 1-inch upholstery foam using the smaller circle.

• 8

  Lay the fabric on a table so the top side face down. Set the foam in the center of the fabric. Flip the stool upside-down so the top of the seat rests on the foam.

• 9

  Grab an edge of the fabric and carefully pull it to the bottom of the bar stool seat. Secure the edge with a staple. Grab the edge of fabric on the opposite side of the first and secure it to the bottom of the seat with a staple. Continue to grab fabric and staple it to hold in place. Flip the bar stool over as you secure fabric to the bottom to verify you are not pulling the fabric too tight and creating ripples or puckers.

• 10

  Cut off excess fabric edges underneath the bar stool so it does not hang.