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How To Cover A Chair Seat and Paint A Desk

How To Cover A Chair Seat

Let me show you how to cover a chair seat. I promise you it’s a simple task and doesn’t require any power tools or expensive items.
how to cover a chair seat

I  re-covered this chair seat which is part of the desk and chair/computer/laptop cabinet projects.project chair before petticoat junktion

This is the chair I selected to go with the soon to be newly painted computer desk. I don’t even remember where I purchased the chair. It’s been in the workshop forever.

remove a chair seat petticoat junktion

It’s  really easy to cover a chair seat, or maybe I should say re-cover. First thing to do is turn the chair upside down and remove the seat. All you need is a screwdriver.

how to cover a chair seat petticoat junktion

Next you’ll need your fabric, a pair of scissors, and a heavy duty staple gun.cover a chair seat petticoat junktion

I decided to use burlap to cover the chair seat. I bought the burlap a few months ago. I can’t remember what project I bought it for but I never used it. This isn’t the regular utility burlap that I hang in my booth or use as a photo backdrop. It has a tighter weave and doesn’t have the strong odor that the other burlap does. Lay your chair seat on the fabric and cut the fabric large enough to wrap around the seat bottom.how to cover a chair seat

Next staple the fabric to the seat. Staple one side of the seat then do the opposite side. Next do the other two sides. Pull the fabric tight as you staple each side. Go overboard on the staples!! The more the better. I use 5/16” size staples.

burlap chair seat cover petticoat juntkion

Do the four corners last. You cant’ really show this process in a photo. Every fabric you work with is different. The way you work the corners will depend on the thickness of the fabric and also how much give the fabric has. You just have to play with it and try to smooth the fabric so you don’t have a lot of pleats showing on the corners or top of the seat.

This is one area where you really want to pull the fabric tight before you staple it down…..pull it really tight. Sometime you may need to cut away all excess fabric before you can smooth the corners. Just work with it and it will turn out great. Trust me cut fabric and staple to the chair seat petticoat junktion

See how nice and neat it looks. The entire project takes about an hour…tops!

cover a chair seat with burlap petticoat junktion

I didn’t photograph the entire chair because I don’t want to ruin the desk and chair reveal. Haven’t finished the desk yet! Painting a chair like this one and re-covering the seat is really easy. I’ve used old drapery panels, pillow cases, drop cloths, skirts (really!), and recycled fabrics to cover chair seats!

Now to the desk makeover.

desk makeover in white with spray painted hardware petticoat junktion

The cute little desk and chair make me smile.

modernize furniture using paint and burlap petticoat junktion

The white paint and burlap complement each other perfectly.

before project makeover desk and chair

This is the  desk and chair before makeover…can you see them hiding underneath all the toys? I purchased the desk at a local antique/flea market and I’m not sure where I got the chair.

brown and white furniture makeover petticoat junktion

The hardware is original to the piece and I was going to paint them white but changed my mind!

Rust-Oleum spray paint for hardware petticoat junktion

After deciding on burlap for the chair seat I searched through my spray paint stash and found this color. It goes really well with the burlap. The spray paint is Rust- Oleum and I don’t know the color.

wood flower detail painted and distressed petticoat junktion

I dry-brushed a little green on the flower detail of the chair back. This is the desk and chair I plan to use for our laptops and gadgets. I also painted a shelf for storage.

 

furniture makeover white distressed paint and burlap seat cover petticoat junktion

Maybe it’s just me, but this little desk looks so cheerful now. So….do you like it? Leave a note. Thanks for being here, Kathy

Did you learn anything from this how to cover a chair seat tutorial???? If you’ve recovered chair seats, maybe you have some tips you want to share?As always thanks for being here and have a great day, Kathy

Author: Kathy Owen
Kathy Owen is the founder of the home decor blog Petticoat Junktion where she shares tutorials on painting furniture and upcycling thrifty finds into unique home décor. Her DIY projects have been featured on the Home Depot Blog, Plaid Crafts, Behr Designer Series, and in numerous magazines. Kathy’s newest website is HappyHomeDIY.com

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10 Comments

  1. I would buy some foam padding Amber. The only thing is that darn stuff is expensive!! Anytime I run across any at yard sales or where ever I buy it. Haven’t see any lately though and I don’t have any in my stash. I know what you mean about those hard seats. Let me know how they turn out. 🙂

  2. I bought a few chairs, but the seats are so hard. What should I do when I recover them to make them a lot more comfortable? Padding?

    Amber 🙂

  3. I love the chair Kathy!! And recovering is amazing and fairly simple but a lot of people don’t realize that! Great tutorial!:)

    Nancy

  4. This looks beautiful! Very thorough instructions too. Thanks for sharing! And it sounds like you had a great spring break – just the way it is supposed to be – relaxing!

  5. love the white and burlap covered look…and i ain’t never gonna believe you again when you say you’re gonna work on shop lmbo xx

  6. Love your tips for a good recover seat Kathy! Your ‘fancy’ burlap makes the chair complete!
    And, I totally agree on the go overboard on the staples…better too many than not enough.
    Have a great week!