Reupholstering Round Barstool Seats

Turn the bar stool upside down to expose the staples holding the fabric in place. Depending on the design of the stool, you may be required to remove the screws attaching the seat to the legs. Insert the teeth of a staple remover under each staple to loosen and remove it. Collect the staples in a container and set them aside. Work carefully to avoid damaging the frame.

Remove the old upholstery and foam from the barstool seat. Spread a large piece of 2-inch-thick foam on a clean, hard surface. Center the barstool face down over the foam and lower it. Allow 3 inches of foam around the stool seat before cutting it with a utility knife.

Apply a thin layer of glue over the barstool seat and center the foam over it. Press the foam lightly to help it set in the glue and leave it to set according to the time specified on the label directions.

Spread quilt batting on the hard surface and center the barstool seat face down over it. Ensure the glue attaching the foam padding to the stool’s seat is dry. Cut the batting to fit around the seat using sharp scissors, allowing an extra 3 inches all around.

Pull the edges of the batting taut toward the bottom of the barstool seat and secure in staple in place. Make sure to staple the foam underneath the batting as well. Pull the batting at the opposite side of the seat and repeat the process of stapling it in place. Continue working on opposite sides of the stool until you staple all the sides. Inspect the top of the stool for wrinkles and smooth them out before you complete the stapling process.

Spread the upholstery fabric face down on the hard surface. Center and lower the bar stool face down over it. Allow 3 inches of fabric all around the seat before cutting it with fabric scissors.

Pull the fabric along one edge of the seat taut and secure it to the bottom of the seat with staples. Continue to pull and staple the fabric in place, checking the top of the stool after every few staples and removing wrinkles or folds with your hands. Place the reupholstered seat over the legs and insert the screws into the holes.