Office Chair How-To

We got a request to share a how-to on our conference room chair turned office chair so we decided to break it down for y’all!

We will demonstrate with a different color scheme/pattern, but the process is the exact same and you can adjust for whatever colors/patterns you choose! To start, we have this lovely chair below.

For this project, you will need:

• Spray Paint (we love the paint/primer in one)
• Staple Gun
• Fabric of your choice (we used another fabric shower curtain from Marshall’s)
• Batting
• Buttons (we chose to make our fabric buttons with a kit, but any button will do!)
• Heavy Duty Thread
• Doll Needles
• Drill (we have an alternative if you do not have power tools!)

First, use your drill (or a screwdriver) to remove the back and bottom cushions from the frame and set those aside. Take your chair frame outside or to a ventilated area and spray paint as many thin coats as required to cover the whole thing. We used a gloss spray paint but any will do!

While your frame is drying, it’s time to work on the cushions! We left the original cover (but cleaned the heck out of that dusty pleather) and added our materials on top. First, in order to add the tufting at the end, you need to prep now by drilling holes into the back of your top cushion. We chose to put the tufts in 5 spots, so drilled 2 holes right next to each other in those 5 places. Drilling two holes allows you to easily tie a knot at the end of the process. If you do not own a drill, try using a hammer and large nail to create those holes! Just hammer the nail into the desired spot and remove and repeat! (and PLEASE be careful, do not do this with the cushion on your lap or something silly) They just need to be big enough to fit a needle through them when we get to that point.

For some added cushion add some additional batting to both sides (especially the top so you can achieve the tufted look more easily). We cut two squares the same size as the cushion, and then the third about two inches larger than the seat & back. Cut out the corners as shown, and staple that bad boy down. Following up with a hammer to make sure all of your staples are secure is always helpful as well!

Next, it’s time to add your fabric. Cut the fabric to be a few inches larger than the seat & back. Start by stapling one time at 12, 3, 6 & 9 o’clock, making sure the fabric is pulled tight, then check the front to make sure your pattern is still where you want it. If so, continue pulling the fabric tight and stapling around the seat. Repeat with the other cushion! Your final product should look something like this…

Now, if you choose to make your fabric buttons, follow the instructions on the kit (can be found at many craft stores) to create your look. If you choose to use regular or decorative buttons, your thumbs will thank you! But, we like to be difficult, so this step is required for us. A kit looks something like this, and to help your thumbs, we’ve found that using tools helps A LOT. Just a tip : )

Time to add those buttons to create your tufted look! Simply use your doll needle (the longer the easier!) to feed your thread through one of the two holes in the back of the seat. Making sure to leave some thread in the back of the seat (so you can tie a knot easily) thread your needle through your button and back through the cushion, with the needle going through the opposite hole.

Making sure to pull that button tight, securely tie it in place with any knot you chose and move on to the next button! When you’re all said and done, your cushion should look tufted and fabulous.

Now, if your chair has a back on it and your thread and knots won’t show, simply screw the cushions back into place on the frame, and ta-da, you’re done!

If your chair is similar to ours, and the back is still open, take a piece of the same fabric and cut it an inch or so wider and longer than the opening.

Simply fold over the edges and staple to the back and sides of the seat where the frame hits the cushion, so the frame hides any staples and the edge of the material.

Use the original screws to put the whole piece back together and you have yourself a new chair.

Here’s the finished product : )

Idea: if you use a plain fabric for the cushions, spice it up by putting a bold color or pattern on the back! A very cute way to add some contrast and amp up the uniqueness : )

For so many steps, it really is a straight forward project that can be completed in one night! If anyone follows this office chair how-to we’d love to see how yours turned out!

Prost!

-J&P

We linked up to: Dukes and Duchesses, Setting for Four, Yesterday on Tuesday, Cupcakes and Crinoline, JoJo & Eloise, Whipperberry and Remodelaholic