How to Recover an Office Chair: A Step-by-Step Guide

Recovering an office chair is a great way to breathe new life into old furniture, giving it a fresh look and extending its usability.

Whether your chair’s fabric is worn out, or stained, or you simply want a change of style, recovering it can be a rewarding DIY project.

Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to recover an office chair.

Materials and Tools You’ll Need

Start by disassembling the chair to remove the parts that need to be recovered.

Remove the Seat and Backrest: Use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the seat and backrest to the chair frame.
Detach Armrests (if applicable): If the armrests are upholstered, remove them as well.

Carefully remove the old fabric to use it as a pattern for the new cover.

Remove Staples or Screws: Use pliers to remove the staples or screws holding the fabric in place.
Carefully Pull Off the Fabric: Gently pull off the old fabric, being careful not to damage the foam padding.

Use the old fabric as a template to cut the new fabric.

Lay Out the Old Fabric: Spread the old fabric flat on your new upholstery fabric.
Trace and Cut: Use scissors to trace around the old fabric, leaving an extra 2-3 inches around the edges to ensure you have enough fabric to staple.

If the padding on your chair is worn out, now is the time to replace or add new foam padding.

Cut New Foam Padding: Use the old padding as a template to cut new foam if needed.
Attach the Padding: Secure the new padding to the seat and backrest using fabric adhesive or simply lay it in place if it fits snugly.

Now you can attach the new fabric to the chair components.

Position the Fabric: Place the new fabric over the seat or backrest, making sure it’s centered and aligned correctly.
Start Stapling: Use the staple gun to secure the fabric, starting at the center of each side and working your way out to ensure even tension. Pull the fabric taut as you go to avoid wrinkles.
Corners and Curves: For corners and curves, fold the fabric neatly and staple it down securely. Trim any excess fabric.

Once the new fabric is securely attached, it’s time to reassemble the chair.

Reattach the Seat and Backrest: Use the screws you removed earlier to reattach the seat and backrest to the chair frame.
Reattach Armrests: If you removed upholstered armrests, reattach them now.

Give your newly recovered chair a final inspection and make any adjustments if needed.

Check for Loose Fabric: Ensure all fabric is securely stapled and there are no loose areas.
Tighten Screws: Make sure all screws are tightened properly to avoid any wobbling or instability.

Choose Durable Fabric: Select a fabric that is durable and suitable for upholstery to ensure it withstands daily use.
Consider Patterns: If using patterned fabric, make sure to align patterns properly to maintain a professional look.
Test Fit: Before stapling, test fit the fabric to make sure you have enough to cover the entire surface.

Recovering an office chair is a practical and cost-effective way to update your workspace.

By following these steps, you can transform an old, worn-out chair into a stylish and comfortable piece of furniture.

With a little effort and the right materials, your chair can look as good as new, adding both functionality and aesthetic appeal to your office.