Easy Upholstering Ideas

Selecting the Furniture

• When you need a piece of furniture and do not want to spend a lot of money, look for a specimen that will be easy to re-upholster. Benches, dining chairs and ottomans are often upholstered by simply stapling or gluing fabric on removable sections of the furniture. Outdoor furniture such as cushions and canvas slung chairs are also easy to redo with no sewing involved.

Seleting the Fabric

• Selecting the fabric for your project requires a little thought. If your furniture is accessorized by curved legs or wood skirting, a paisley or other pattern with curved lines is an eye-pleasing choice. If your chair, bench or ottoman is simple in design, try choosing a fabric that bears a bold geometric design for visual interest. If your furniture is a period piece, be true to the history of the piece by doing a little research about the traditional fabrics used. Outdoor furniture should be upholstered with sun-resistant and waterproof fabrics. Dining chairs are best covered with fabric you can clean without having to dry clean it. Last, be sure to cover your furniture piece in colors that coordinate with the destination room’s decor.

Bench Redux

• Whether they are used indoors or outdoors, benches suffer a lot of wear and tear. These furniture pieces are usually affixed to the base by screws or clasps. Once the seat is separated from its base, the old fabric is removed and the cushion is replaced if needed. The bench seat is re-upholstered by laying the chosen fabric face down on the ground, centering the cushion over the fabric, laying the seat on the cushion and wrapping the fabric edges over the whole and stapling or tacking the edges on the underside of the seat. The seat is then reattached to the bench base with furniture glue or staples and screwed or clasped back in place.

Padded Headboard

• Re-cover an old headboard that is worn or just needs an update for a redecorated bedroom. A plywood base, foam padding and a fabric cover will do the job. Using 4-inch-thick to 5-inch-thick foam creates a soft affect and allows you to accent the headboard with button tufting. Select buttons that coordinate with the headboard’s fabric or purchase button kits that allow you to cover each button with the headboard fabric. Velvet or raw silk creates a luxurious and romantic headboard.