Give an old beat up chair new life with paint and fabric.

chair.JPGcompleted-chair.JPG

I love to rescue junk that is being thrown out and give it new life.  My son threw this chair out and it sat outside in the weather for quite awhile so it looked pretty bad.  But some sandpaper, paint, a little fabric and some elbow grease was all it took to make it look brand new. 

Materials:

  • old chair
  • paint
  • 1 yard of fabric
  • sandpaper 

remove-seat-by-removing-screws.JPG

Step 1.

Remove seat from chair by removing screws.

sand-chair-to-remove-paint-or-varnish.JPG

Step 2.

Sand entire chair to rough up surface so that the paint will adhere better.  This is the most important step.

coat-with-kilz-paint.JPGpainted-chair.JPG

Step 3.  

Start with a coat of kilz paint as this will make the paint adhere better.  When that is completely dry put on a coat of whatever color paint you’ve chosen.  I usually apply two coats letting each coat dry completely.

cut-out-fabric-allowing-extra-fabric-all-the-way-around.JPGfabric-for-chair-seat.JPG

Step 4.

Lay chair seat on the fabric you have chosen.  Cut around seat leaving at least 2 inches all the way around so that you have plenty of fabric to pull under and tack. 

pull-all-four-corners-snugly-and-staple-or-tack.JPGstaple-or-tack.JPG

Step 5. 

Begin by pulling the four corners under and then either tack or staple all four corners. 

now-pull-sides-snugly-and-staple-or-tack.JPGfinished-seat.JPG

Step 6.

Now pull up the sides snugly and staple or tack.  Put the seat back on chair and you’re finished.

cropped-chair-2.JPG

About Elaine Kazinec

I have never met anyone who can't make wonderful things for their homes, friends, and family, only those who think they can't. The purpose of this blog is to show everyone how really simple most projects for the home are to make. When my husband and I bought our first home we were short on cash so I learned to be long on creativity. I have been told that I can make something wonderful out of nothing and that is true. You can too! Some of my favorite things are items that I found in someone's junk pile. I am going to show you how easy it really is. I hope you find the courage to jump in and attempt some of these projects. You will be amazed at how talented you really are.