How to Recover a Footstool

Unscrew the padded section of the footstool to separate it from the legs. Keep the screws to attach the recovered pad to the legs.

Remove the staples or tacks holding the current covering on the footstool. Carefully pull the fabric off the footstool and lay it out on a work surface to use as a cutting template for the new covering. Make notes while removing the covering so you know to attach the new covering in the same manner.

Inspect the cushion after removing the fabric. Replace the cushion with a piece of foam in the same dimension if needed. Purchase foam for use with furniture at craft supply stores.

Create a paper pattern piece by laying the removed fabric on top of a large piece of paper and draw around the piece, or multiple pieces, making sure to add 1 inch around each side for seam allowances.

Place the pattern on top of the new fabric and pin it in place. Center the print or design on the fabric in the correct area of the pattern if needed. Cut out the fabric piece.

Attach the new fabric covering placing it onto the footstool in the same manner you removed the old fabric. Put the first staple the same place the last staple was removed from the stool; hold the fabric tightly and apply staples through the wood frame to hold. Continue to apply the fabric covering tightly and affixing with staples to hold around the entire footstool.

Attach the recovered footstool cushion to the legs by screwing it back on in the same manner of removing it in Step 1. Spray the fabric with a stain protector if desired.