Reupholstering a dining chair seat is one of the easiest furniture projects: unscrew the seat, remove the old fabric, add new padding if needed, staple on new fabric and screw the seat back. A set of four takes an afternoon. This guide covers tools, how much fabric to buy, each step and when a chair needs a professional.
What You Need
- Screwdriver or drill.
- Staple remover or flat screwdriver and pliers.
- Staple gun with 1/4" to 3/8" staples.
- Upholstery fabric.
- High-density foam, 1" to 2" thick, if the old padding is flat.
- Polyester batting.
- Scissors, chalk and a tape measure.
- Dust-cover fabric for the underside (optional).
How Much Fabric Do You Need?
Measure the seat's width and depth and add 4 inches to each side for wrapping.
| Number of chairs | Fabric (54" wide, plain or small pattern) |
|---|---|
| 2 | About 3/4 yard |
| 4 | About 1.5 yards |
| 6 | About 2.25 yards |
| 8 | About 3 yards |
These amounts suit typical seats up to about 19 inches square. Buy extra for large patterns that must be centered on every seat.
How to Reupholster a Dining Chair Seat
- Remove the seat. Turn the chair over and take out the screws holding the seat. Keep them in a bag.
- Remove the old fabric and staples. If the old fabric is clean and flat, you can cover over it; otherwise strip it.
- Check the base and padding. Replace cracked boards and flat foam. Cut new foam to the seat's shape.
- Add batting over the foam, wrapping it just over the edges.
- Cut the fabric 4 inches larger than the seat on every side. Center any pattern.
- Staple the centers first. Lay the fabric face down, set the seat on top, pull the fabric snug and put one staple in the middle of each side.
- Work toward the corners, pulling evenly and stapling every inch. Stop 2 inches from each corner.
- Fold the corners. Pull the point of the corner straight in and staple, then fold each side over in neat pleats and staple.
- Trim the excess and staple on a dust cover.
- Reattach the seat with the original screws.
Choosing Fabric for Dining Chairs
- Pick upholstery-weight fabric, not dress or quilting cotton.
- Look for a rub count of about 15,000 double rubs or more.
- Performance fabrics, tightly woven polyester and faux leather wipe clean most easily.
- Mid-tones and small patterns hide marks.
See types of upholstery fabric and dining room color ideas.
When to Call a Professional
The method above suits flat, drop-in or screw-on seats. Chairs with a fully upholstered seat and back, curved shapes, sewn seams, piping or channel details need pattern-making and sewing.
The Upholstered Dining Chair with Velvet Fabric and Metal Legs Set of 2 is an example: it lists a soft upholstered seat and back with a curved arm design on a metal frame. For chairs like this, regular care keeps the fabric looking good for longer. Its care instructions say to vacuum regularly with a soft brush attachment, spot clean with a slightly damp cloth and mild cleaner, and avoid soaking the upholstery. See how to clean upholstered dining chairs.
Fix the Frame While the Seat Is Off
- Tighten or re-glue loose joints; see how to fix a squeaky chair.
- Touch up or repaint the frame; see how to paint furniture.
- Replace worn floor glides.
For other projects, see our furniture repair guide.
Common Mistakes
- Cutting the fabric too small to grip and pull.
- Stapling one full side before the others, which skews the fabric.
- Pulling stripes or patterns out of line.
- Bulky corners from too much fabric left in the fold.
- Foam that is too thick, so the seat no longer sits in the frame.
FAQ
Is it easy to reupholster dining chairs?
Yes, for chairs with removable flat seats. It needs only a screwdriver, a staple gun and fabric.
Can I put new fabric over old fabric?
Yes, if the old fabric is clean, flat and not too thick. Remove it if it's worn, stained or bulky.
How much fabric do I need for 6 dining chairs?
About 2.25 yards of 54-inch fabric for typical seats, more for large patterns.
What thickness of foam is best for dining chair seats?
High-density foam 1 to 2 inches thick, topped with batting.