How to reupholster dining chair cushions. Can you reupholster a chair yourself? What kind of foam do you use for dining room chairs? How thick should dining room chair cushions be? How much does it cost to reupholster chairs?
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I'll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.
I purchased six farmhouse styled dining room chairs off of Facebook Marketplace with the intent to make them over. They had no seat cushions, only the frame and the wooden seat base. Overall, they were in decent shape, but definitely had some grime and blemishes. The wooden frame was a pale yellow/cream color, which just doesn’t go with my home.
After a few hours of work, I am excited for the transformation that these chairs have gone through! Let me teach you how to reupholster dining room chairs yourself!
Before
Can You Reupholster A Chair Yourself?
The cost to reupholster dining room chairs is quite pricey. From the supplies need to the labor. Labor costs will vary depending on your location, but you can do this simple task yourself for a fraction of the cost!
What Kind of Foam Do You Use For Dining Room Chairs?
There are many different type of foam that can be used for reupholstering dining room chairs. Options range from memory foam to batting.
How Thick Should Dining Room Chair Cushions Be?
The average thickness for a dining room chair cushion is around 2″. With less than 2″ of foam, the chair is stiff and you feel like you are sitting on the wood base. More than 2″, the height of the chair beings to get too tall for some people to fit their legs under the table.
What Kind of Fabric Do You Use For Dining Room Chairs?
A heavy weight, higher density fabric is preferred. Using upholstery fabric or a duck fabric is a great option. Lighter weight fabrics will tend to show wrinkles and bunching because it is not as heavy of a fabric. The more you sit on it, the more the fabric and foam breaks down. So start off with something heavy weight and dense for a long-lasting seat cushion!
How Much Does It Cost To Reupholster Chairs?
Here is the total price breakdown for my six chairs that I reupholstered. This does not include the tools needed: scissors and staple gun.
| ITEM | COST |
| Chairs | $75 from Facebook Marketplace |
| 1″ High Density Foam 3 yards | $24.99/yard |
| 1″ Foam Batting 3 yards | $14.99/yard |
| 3 yards upholstery fabric | $45/yard from Joann’s |
| Staples | $5 |
How Long Does It Take To Reupholster a Dining Chair?
The time will vary depending on your skill level. However, this is a very beginner level project and can easily be accomplished in around 30 minutes per chair. The hardest part is picking out the color fabric you want to use!
Let’s Make Them Over Together!
The process of reupholstering these chairs together is so easy!
Supplies:
Upholstery Fabric: Sorry, I could not find a link. I used the thick, upholstery fabric on the roll from Joann’s for $45/yard
Power Shot Staple Gun (used for the shorter staples)
Heavy Duty Staple Gun (used for the longer staples)
Video Tutorial
In this video I show the step by step process to create a foam cushion base for a dining room chair as well as how to reupholster it in fabric.
After
For my chairs personally, I love the way they turned out! The cushions are comfortable and thick enough that you do not feel like you are sitting on the wood frame.
I washed my chair frames using White Lightning. Then I painted them with chalk paint in the color Dried Sage. I sealed them with Gator Hide.
Liberty says
Beautiful!!
Cindy Rust says
Great job on this upholstery! The color you chose to paint the chairs is perfect with the fabric! Pinned😊
Stephanie says
Thanks so much, Cindy!