Reupholstering Your Kitchen Chair Backs

 

In order to have a different and fresh look in your kitchen surrounding, you can simply change your kitchen chair backs by using a new fabric. Over time, your existing fabric will show certain signs like fraying, tears or breaking as well as fading of the fabric due to exposure to your dining or kitchen lights. Reupholstering your kitchen chair backs would be able to brighten up your kitchen room and also it is an inexpensive method of creating a new feel in your kitchen area. Below are some of the tips and information that can help you whenever you want to reupholster your existing kitchen chair backs.

To reupholstering your kitchen chair backs, you need:

  • Screwdriver
  • Pliers
  • Staple remover
  • Staple gun
  • Chair foam or Quilt batting
  • Utility knife
  • Upholstery fabric
  • Muslin fabric
  • Marker
  • Scissors
  • Fabric glue

Reupholstering Kitchen Chair Backs

How to Reupholster your Kitchen Chair Backs

  • First thing that you need to do is to inspect your kitchen chair back and look for the existing hardware that holds it in place.
    • Then, you have to remove the screws that secure the hardware by using a screwdriver.
    • If you see any staples that hold the fabric, you need to pry loose the staples by using a pair of pliers. This can be done just by sliding the edge of the pliers below the staple and slowly lifting the staple up until it comes off.

You can also notice that some of the kitchen chair backs consist of wood piece attached onto the chair thus covering the chair back. If you find that the frame does not have any screws, you can pry it off your chair in a gentle manner just by using your flathead screwdriver. Once you have upholstered the chair back, you can apply some wood glue onto the frame and attach it back to its original position on the chair. Make sure to keep the chair clamped in order for the glue to dry thoroughly.

  • Make sure to remove the existing fabric attached to your seat back and also look at the foam.
    • The foam helps provide added padding to your chair. Apart from that, it can also provide an odd or even musty smell accumulated from food and other type of stains.
    • Do not use foams that already have bad smell and showing mold signs when you inspect them. Just throw them away and replace it with new foam.
  • If your existing foam is still in good condition, you can reuse it and place the foam on top of your new foam.
    • You can purchase foam that you can use for upholstery purposes from your local craft stores.
    • Next step is for you to trace around the edge of your existing foam by using your utility knife in order to leave an outline on the new foam that you have purchased.
    • After that, you have to remove your old foam and start to cut along the outline that you have created so that you would be able to create a new piece of foam that have the same shape as your existing foam.
  • Then, you need to cover the foam using a piece of your preferred upholstery fabric.
    • Take a black marker and make trace at the edges of the fabric in order to create an outline on the material.
    • Use a pair of scissors to cut off any excess fabric thus enabling you to have a piece of fabric that can be use for covering the foam of your chair backs.
  • The next step to do is to apply a thin layer of glue used on fabric located on the front of your chair back.
    • Ensure that you press the fabric onto the foam in order to smooth out any air bubbles simply by using your hands.
    • Then, you need to turn over the chair and make sure that you apply more glue onto the back of the chair enabling you to securely attach the fabric to the back of your foam.

If possible, you should do the above task with the help of a friend so that the person would be able to stretch the fabric tightly so that you will not see any wrinkles or bumps under the fabric.

  • Finally, you should place the back of your kitchen chair onto its original position.
    • You need to hold the back of the chair using one hand and screw them securely.
    • You will not be using staples as the fabric glue used in the earlier steps mentioned above is much more suitable for reupholstering purposes.
    • In addition, the screws used will help secure the seat and preventing it from loosens up when you are sitting on them.

    Always remember that whenever you want to reupholster your own kitchen chair backs

    • You not only can use fabrics for your reupholstering of kitchen chairs but also replace it with vinyl material.
    • For those of you who have antique chairs, you can also try to replace its webbing and padding when you find it necessary to do so.
    • If you are using staple gun, remember not to leave it lying around on the floor especially if you have small children in the house.
    • For fabric that comes with patterns or stripes, it is recommended that you ensure that the pattern or stripes are always similar for all of your kitchen chair backs.

Image Credit:

Flickr CC