How to Reupholster a Dining Chair: Step-by-Step Beginner’s Guide

Modern dining table with chairs in bright kitchen

Dining chairs often get overlooked when they start to look worn. You may find sturdy chairs at thrift stores or in your own home that still have strong frames, but faded fabric or flattened cushions. Reupholstering the seat is an easy way to give these chairs a fresh look without replacing the entire piece.

This guide breaks down each step clearly and in detail, making it easy for beginners to follow. With basic tools and a little patience, you can completely transform your dining chairs.

Tools and Materials You’ll Need

Upholstery tools, foam, fabric, batting, and scissors

Having everything ready before you begin will make the process smoother and more enjoyable.

Essential Tools

Staple gun
Tack puller or flat pry tool
Screwdriver
Sharp scissors, serrated knife, or electric carving knife

Upholstery Supplies

Seat foam (2–3 inches thick)
Upholstery batting
Upholstery fabric (½ yard per chair)
Spray adhesive (optional)

Step-by-Step: How to Reupholster a Dining Chair Seat

Step 1: Remove the Seat from the Chair

Unscrewing wooden seat from chair underside

Before working on the fabric, the seat needs to be separated from the chair frame.

Turn the chair upside down and locate the screws holding the seat in place. Using a screwdriver, remove all screws and set them aside so they don’t get lost. Carefully lift the seat off and place it on a flat, stable surface such as a table or workbench.

Step 2: Remove the Old Fabric and Staples

Old fabric and padding removed from wooden seat

This step clears the seat so you can start fresh.

Using a tack puller or flat tool, gently pry out all the staples or tacks attached to the underside of the seat. Take your time to avoid damaging the wood. Once the staples are removed, peel away the old fabric and bathe.

Tip: If the fabric is stubborn, remove it in sections rather than pulling all at once.

Step 3: Inspect and Replace the Cushion Foam ( If Needed)

Hands holding new foam cushion for chair seat

Before moving on, take a moment to check the condition of the seat foam, as it directly affects comfort and the final look of your chair.Press down on the foam with your hand. If it feels firm and quickly springs back, it’s still usable. If it feels flat, brittle, or doesn’t regain its shape, replacing it is the best option.

Cutting the Right Foam

Foam cushion cut to square shape on work surface

For most dining chairs, firm upholstery foam that is 2 to 3 inches thick works best. Place the old foam on top of the new foam sheet, trace around it, and cut it to size using sharp scissors or a serrated knife. An electric carving knife can help create smoother edges. Once cut, set the foam onto the seat base to ensure it fits evenly before continuing.

Step 4: Secure the Foam to the Seat Base

Spray adhesive applied to wooden seat panel

Attaching the foam helps keep everything aligned during upholstery.

Apply a light layer of spray adhesive to the wooden seat base and press the foam into position. Hold it in place for a few seconds so it sticks properly. This step is optional, but it prevents shifting while wrapping the batting.

Step 5: Wrap and Staple the Upholstery Batting

Wooden chair seat placed on batting layer

Batting adds softness and smooths out the shape of the seat.

Turn the seat upside down and place it centered on the batting. Pull the batting up and over the edges so it fully covers the foam and extends at least 2 inches onto the back of the seat.

How to Staple the Batting Correctly

Staple gun securing white batting to seat base

Start by stapling once in the center of each side
Pull the batting snug before adding each staple
Work outward from the center on all sides
Stop a few inches before reaching the corners

Finishing the Corners

Pull the batting toward the center of the seat and staple. Smooth the sides, then staple them down. Trim away any excess batting once all sides are secure.

Step 6: Attach the Upholstery Fabric

Hands stapling patterned fabric onto wooden seat base

This is where your chair begins to look finished.

Lay the fabric face-down on your work surface. Place the seat upside down on top, ensuring 4–6 inches of extra fabric extends beyond all edges.

Stapling the Fabric

Staple once in the center of each side
Pull the fabric tight as you work
Continue stapling outward from the center
Smooth the top surface frequently to prevent wrinkles

Creating Neat Corners

Folding upholstery fabric tightly around seat corners

Pull the center of the corner fabric inward and staple. Fold one side over the center and staple, then repeat on the other side. Adjust the fabric if needed to remove wrinkles before trimming excess fabric.

Step 7: Reattach the Seat to the Chair

Screwing upholstered seat back onto chair frame

Once the upholstery is complete, the seat is ready to be reinstalled.

Flip the seat right-side up and align it with the chair frame. Reinsert the screws and tighten them securely. Make sure the seat sits evenly and doesn’t wobble.

Reupholstering Without Removing Old Fabric

In some cases, you can apply new fabric directly over the existing one.

This works if:

The old fabric and batting are clean and thin
The foam is still in good condition
Your new fabric is thick enough to prevent show-through

Avoid this if:

The old fabric is dirty or smells
The seat already feels bulky
The old pattern shows through the new fabric

Helpful Tips for First-Time Upholstery Projects

Start with one chair first to practice before reupholstering an entire dining set.
Always leave extra fabric to allow adjustments and avoid cutting pieces too short.
Work slowly and evenly to prevent wrinkles and uneven corners.
Staple from the center outward to keep the fabric balanced and straight.
Check the top surface frequently and smooth out wrinkles as you go.

You’re Ready to Reupholster

Reupholstering dining chair seats is a practical and rewarding DIY project. With simple tools and careful steps, you can update old chairs, change styles whenever you like, and extend the life of your furniture. Once you’ve completed one chair, the rest will feel much easier and you may even start looking for more projects to reupholster.

And if you’re ever ready to explore new styles, sizes, or seating options, Aosom offers a wide selection of Dining Chairs designed to suit everyday use and evolving home styles.

FAQs

1. Can I reupholster a dining chair seat without a staple gun?

Yes, but results are limited. Upholstery tacks or heavy-duty glue can work for temporary fixes. For long-term durability and clean edges, a staple gun remains the most reliable option. Borrowing or renting one is often the easiest solution.

2. How do I fix wrinkles after stapling the fabric?

Remove only the nearby staples, not the entire side. Gently pull the fabric tighter, smooth the top surface, and re-staple from the centre outward,small adjustments usually remove wrinkles without restarting the process.

3. Is it normal for staples to show through thin upholstery fabric?

Yes, thin or light-coloured fabrics can reveal staples or old patterns underneath. Using batting or choosing thicker upholstery fabric helps prevent this issue. Always test fabric over the seat before stapling fully.