How to Install a Faux Leather Insert on Furniture

A faux leather insert is an inexpensive way to dress up furniture with the appearance of leather. This type of insert can be installed on a desktop, a seat back, a headboard or anywhere you want to add the appearance of leather to a piece of furniture. Some pieces will look more authentic if you also add a row of nail head studs along the edge of the faux leather to create the illusion that the nails are holding the faux leather in place. Other furniture pieces will be sleeker and not require nail heads.

Faux leather panels
Scissors
Paper
Faux leather fabric
Hot glue
Leather glue

Instructions

- 1
  Cut an adhesive-backed faux leather panel to the size and shape you need. Peel the backing paper off and press the panel into place. This is the easiest installation for a faux leather insert, but the color you want may not be available and you may need to use faux leather fabric.
- 2
  Cut the outline of the insert you want to install out of paper. Look at the faux leather fabric to see if the cut edge will look fake or white. Often, it is necessary to fold the raw edges under to create the leather edge look you want. Cut the leather one-quarter-inch larger than the outline on all sides.
- 3
  Place the faux leather face-side-down on the work table. Apply a bead of hot glue or leather glue along the one-quarter-inch edge. Fold the fabric to the inside and press firmly. Cut your corners so that you do not overlap extra material. Fold and glue all the edges in the same manner.
- 4
  Turn the panel right-side-up. Use hot glue or leather glue to glue the panel into position on the furniture. Glues work best on nonporous or primed surfaces.

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