How to Reupholster a Chair & Replace the Foam

Unscrew the seat from the chair using a screwdriver. Once you've unscrewed the seat, pry out the staples from the cushion with a pry bar. If the seat cushion is merely stapled to the seat, use a pry bar to remove the staples holding the cushion to the seat bottom.

Measure the old foam cushion and cut a new foam cushion the same size. The finished foam cushion should be about 1/2 inch larger on all sides than the chair bottom.

Spray the chair bottom with spray adhesive. Press the foam cushion over the chair to secure the cushion to the chair.

Cut a piece of cotton batting to cover the foam. Make the batting 2 inches larger on all sides than your seat. Also cut your fabric 3 inches larger on all sides than the chair seat.

Center the batting over the foam. Stretch the batting over the side of the chair and to the bottom, then staple the batting to the seat. You want a tight fit so the cushion doesn't look bumpy.

Center the fabric over the batting. Gently pull the fabric underneath the seat cushion until it is taut. Working one side at a time, staple the fabric to the center of the seat bottom. Once you complete the center staple, work from the middle toward the corner, stretching the sides. Do not staple the corners, just focus on getting the sides stapled.

Fold and then tuck one corner, almost like you're wrapping a gift. Tuck and smooth the fabric until you have a neat corner with no wrinkles or lumps visible on the top side. Staple the corner. Finish the remaining corners like this.

Staple or screw the seat cushion onto your chair.