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You are here: Home / DIY / How to Reupholster Parsons Chairs

How to Reupholster Parsons Chairs

April 13, 2016 By Karen Cooper 1 Comment

This post contains affiliate links, which help you find the products I used in this project and help the blog by earning me a little commission if you click the link. It costs you nothing, I promise! Thank you for supporting my blog!

I loved these parsons chairs in my dining room, but, frankly, was getting tired of the brown paisley fabric. I didn’t have a budget for new chairs, so I decided to try reupholstering them. You won’t believe how easy it is – I’ll show you how to reupholster parsons chairs!

dining parsons chairs-before - thediybungalow.com

In an afternoon, my chairs went from brown paisley, above, to this:

How to reupholster parsons chairs - thediybungalow.com

Here’s how I did it.

Supplies Needed

How to reupholster parsons chairs - supplies needed - thediybungalow.com

Fabric – I found this upholstery-weight gray fabric at Joann’s. How much you need will depend on the number of chairs you are recovering, but I would estimate about a yard and a half to two yards per chair (I estimate on the high side, in case I mess up the fabric somehow).

Tape measure

Staple gun (manual or electric) – I used THIS ONE.

Scissors – I use THESE.

Rubber mallet like THIS ONE

Nailhead trim. I purchased this roll of nailhead trim. The roll of trim is much easier to work with than nailing each individual nailhead in!

Measure the Fabric

How you measure the fabric will depend on whether you are pulling off the old fabric or covering over it. I was using a heavy fabric to reupholster the chairs, so I could just go over the existing fabric.

If you reupholster over existing fabric, then measure the back of the chair, the seat of the chair, and the back seat cushion (perpendicular to the seat).  For the back seat cushion, don’t forget to measure the part that goes over the top of the chair and around the sides.

How to measure for reupholstering parsons chairs - thediybungalow.com

I added an extra inch to each measure of fabric, just in case. I could always trim the extra off later; I’d rather have too much fabric than too little.

If you are pulling off the old fabric, the best way to measure is to remove the fabric in one piece, without rips or tears, and then measure that. In other words, use the old fabric as a template for the new fabric.

Attach the Fabric

To attach the fabric, you can either use a regular, manual staple gun or an electric staple gun. I used this electric staple gun because the fabric I was using was thick. I was afraid a manual staple gun might not have the power needed.

I started with the back seat cushion of the chair. I draped the fabric over the back seat cushion and stapled it around the top edge. Staple in a line around the edge of the chair. The nailhead trim will cover the staples that way.

Staple the fabric to the top of the chair in a line - how to reupholster parsons chairs - thediybungalow.com

Staple the fabric in place all around the back of the seat cushion. For the corners, fold them neatly like a present to make a tight fit, then staple in place.

Fold the corners to staple - how to reupholster parsons chairs - thediybungalow.com

The staple for the corner fold won’t show, so don’t worry if it’s not in line with the other staples.

For the part of the back cushion that meets the seat, tuck the fabric in between the seat and the cushion and then create a fold and staple it either around the back of the cushion or underneath the seat, whichever works best.

How to cover the front - how to reupholster parsons chairs - thediybungalow.com

Next, do the seat. Tuck the fabric between the seat and the back cushion; for the rest, pull it taut and staple it underneath the seat. Fold the corners like you’re wrapping a present and staple underneath. Cut off any excess.

How to upholster the seat - how to reupholster parsons chairs - thediybungalow.com

Lastly, do the back of the seat cushion. Take the fabric and start at the top of the chair. Fold the top cut edge under and then staple around the top edge. Then fold under the cut edges all the way around the chair and staple in place. This way, you have a neat edge without having to sew a seam.

Cover the back cushion - how to reupholster parsons chairs - thediybungalow.com

As you staple, try to keep all the staples in a straight line. That will make covering them with the nailhead trim easier.

Here’s what it should look like after stapling:

What it should look like after stapling the fabric - how to reupholster parsons chairs - thediybungalow.com

Cut off any excess fabric after stapling.

Apply the Trim

Lastly, apply the nailhead trim. I used a roll of trim, because it was much easier than nailing in each individual nailhead. All you do it unroll it and nail it in at the designated spots on the roll (you’ll see some of the nailhead spots have holes for the nails (included in the kit)).

Hammer the nails in with a rubber mallet to avoid denting or damaging the nails.

Apply the nailhead trim around the edge and over the staples - how to reupholster parsons chairs - thediybungalow.com

I did this with the chair in this position (above) because it made nailing the trim in much easier.

Voila! Here’s the final product:

Reupholstered parsons chair before and after - thediybungalow.com

How to DIY reupholstering parsons dining chairs without sewing a stitch! - thediybungalow.com

I’m so happy with the result!

Reupholstered chairs in dining room - thediybungalow.com

Now, they’re in our dining room in the 1929 house! (Click the photo for more about our dining room in the 1929 house!)

finished dining room - thediybungalow.com

FYI: I recovered these chairs two years ago and they are holding up beautifully, even with more activity in the dining room!

What do you think? Would you try this with your chairs? As always, please leave a comment or email me (karen@thediybungalow.com) if you have any questions!

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Filed Under: DIY, Quick Room Updates, Readers' Favorite Posts Tagged With: Dining Rooms, Furniture 1 Comment

About Karen Cooper

Hi! I'm Karen. I call myself a “recovering lawyer” - I traded in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY adventures. Join me for DIY, home decorating, repurposing and upcycling, and organizing projects and tips as I transform a 1929 Tudor bungalow into our home. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.

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Comments

  1. David johnny says

    January 7, 2019 at 11:18 pm

    This is an excellent technique to decorate chairs. I will try myself.

    Reply

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Hi! I’m Karen. I call myself a “recovering lawyer,” because I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. This blog is all about DIY, home decorating, repurposing and upcycling, and organization. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home.




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About Karen

A "recovering lawyer," I turned in my power suits for power tools and a life of DIY. I believe in merging old and new to make a house a home. Read More…

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