How to Reupholster a Cantilever Chair

Happy Monday!  I have waited 2 months, 3 weeks, and 5 days to share this project with you! For some reason whenever I have to sew and...

Happy Monday! 

I have waited 2 months, 3 weeks, and 5 days to share this project with you! For some reason whenever I have to sew and (sometimes) paint something it takes me forever to (just) do it.  Anyways I spent this past weekend decorating for Fall and actually starting and completing this chair. 

Before and After detailed tutorial on how to reupholster a cantilever rolling chair

This is the finished product, but what it took to achieve this look was honestly not that much of my time. It took me approximately 30 minutes to reupholster the chair and an hour to prime, paint, and seal the chair. I do not know why I was dreading this makeover. 

Before and After detailed tutorial on how to reupholster a cantilever rolling chair

This is the chair's before picture. Not too shabby, eh? I purchased the chair a year or more ago at the Habitat Store for a $7. When I purchased it, I knew that I was going to give it a facelift, I just did not know exactly what I was going to do. My two thoughts going into this project was to either paint the fabric or reupholster it with my scrap cheetah print fabric. I decided to go forward with the cheetah print because I needed a print in my work area which is located in the living room. 

Before and After detailed tutorial on how to reupholster a cantilever rolling chair

I deconstructed the arms, back and part of the base of this chair so that I can EASILY reupholster it. I chose to leave the original fabric on the chair in case I decided that I did not like it and I can easily paint over the upholstered fabric which would give it  a subtle monochromatic print....Basically, I just like having options. 

Before and After detailed tutorial on how to reupholster a cantilever rolling chair

After I took the chair apart, I reupholstered the base seat of the chair using scrap cheetah print fabric and my staple gun. This type of reupholstering that I applied on the base seat of my chair is very basic and can be applied to most chairs and benches. 

Before and After detailed tutorial on how to reupholster a cantilever rolling chair

Before and After detailed tutorial on how to reupholster a cantilever rolling chair

Next, I reupholstered the back of the chair using the sewing method. Basically you would flip your material inside out and sew 3 out of 4 sides to achieve a seamless look.
Before and After detailed tutorial on how to reupholster a cantilever rolling chair

I pinned three of the sides. In the graph above I pinned  all throughout where number 1 is located then I sewed it and DOUBLE checked the fit to see if it fit snuggly. After that I sewed where number 2 is located so that the edges did not flair out. By doing this it gives a more professional look. 

Note: I did trim off the extra fabric that I had around the edge of sides. 

Before and After detailed tutorial on how to reupholster a cantilever rolling chair

The bottom side of the back cushion that I did not sew, I ended stapling closed with my staple gun, just like how it was originally upholstered. 

Before and After detailed tutorial on how to reupholster a cantilever rolling chair

Before and After detailed tutorial on how to reupholster a cantilever rolling chair

Fold + Tuck + Staple

Before and After detailed tutorial on how to reupholster a cantilever rolling chair

After I finish reupholstering the chair, I assemble the chair and prime, paint, and seal all the wooden parts of the chair black. 

Before and After detailed tutorial on how to reupholster a cantilever rolling chair

Voila, the finished product! I wish it did not take me so long to actually start this project. 

Before and After detailed tutorial on how to reupholster a cantilever rolling chair

This project cost me exactly $7 and approximately 1.5 hours of my time. I am beyond thrilled with the final results...Now I need to figure out a way so that my children will not ride on it for a week or so, so that my paint can cure properly without getting dinged --#problemsofaDIYmomma

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47 comments

  1. It's adorable! I love the fabric too! And how easy you made it look... Now if only my sewing machine would work for me this easily! haha

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    1. I know, right...I dread sewing, but someone's got to do it.

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  2. Wow that looks great!!! I wouldn't even know how to start going about and doing that!

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  3. Love everything about this makeover! Found you in our ProBloggers Tribe! I'd love it if you'd come link your project up with us at our Best of the Weekend Party! It goes live each Friday night but stays open until Wednesday so there's still time to make this weeks party...Seriously....gorgeous makeover. You have mad skills!.

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  4. this would make the perfect office chair for my future office! totally pinning this for later.

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  5. Ha! I love this idea and concept. It always amazes how creative some are. Great job! Beautifully done.

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  6. OMG, I did not know you could use a staple gun to reupholster!!! *A whole new world awaits me* (Mostly because I can't sew. Not even a button onto my pants).

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  7. I need to do this!!! Looks awesome :)

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  8. You did a fantastic job!! I myself have a similar chair I need to re-do at my desk right now!

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  9. Oh my GOSH! This is an AWESOME makeover! That fabric is amazing and so perfect with the gold details on the chair. I totally love it! Sharing on FB later this week!

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  10. You are awesome at crafting! This upholstery project looks absolutely amazing!! It doesn't even look like the same chair. I love that you were able to see it and know how awesome you could make it :)

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  11. That looks fantastic! And this would be a perfect project for me. I hate my current desk chair so much that I don't even use the desk! This may be my next DIY project :)

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    1. You should definitely do it! I am happy I can inspire you.

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  12. I love this so incredibly much I can barely stand it! I just gave a chair like this away to my brother in law and now I'm kicking myself!!

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    1. Aww, that sucks...I know the feeling though! Thanks Karin for your sweet word.

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  13. Whoa! I haven't seen this chair a hundred times and flea markets and thrift shops. I had no idea how beautiful it could be...or how easy it was to make over! Awesome re-purpose project. I'm totally diggin' the end result!

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    1. Thanks heather! This is your thrift store everyday chair, haha!

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  14. what a difference! I actually really like the style of the chair too.

    liz jo @ sundays with sophie

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  15. It's fantastic!!! I love it, great job. I'm looking for the perfect chairs to upcycle right now!

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  16. I have a chair like this. I would love to reupholster it.

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  17. This is so cute, Jess! I always overlook chairs like this, and I totally shouldn't.

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  18. OMG I love this! Recovering my office chair is on my to do list! Now I want to do it even more!

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  19. JESSICA!!! This looks FREAKIN' AMAZING! Like honestly...I would NEVER EVER take a second look at that chair at a thrift shop. But you made this chair look CHIC!!! So freaking cool! Now I want to find a ratty old chair like that so I can do this too!!! xox

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  20. Wow. It looks fabulous, and you make it seem so easy...although I could never do it. Really amazing work...I love it!

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  21. Such a classy makeover of a timeless chair! That print is perfect for it!

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  22. So fabulous! I have a chair similar to this one that really needs a makeover. Thanks for the step-by-step. I'm going to go with something in red. Great post! Thanks for sharing.

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  23. I am in love with that print! Any animal print and I am sooo there! Love!

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  24. Jess this looks great! I think it would like great in my office!? Can you ship it this way!? Haha great tutorial!

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  25. Wow I LOVE it! Seriously what an awesome transformation; all for $7 that's even better! Great job Jess!

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  26. Wow! That's an amazing transformation! Beautiful job!

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  27. This is the bees knees!!!! Such an awesome transformation! Love this! So chic!

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  28. I'm so impressed!! Reupholstering really intimidates me.
    xo, Caitlin
    And Possibly Dinosaurs

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  29. Great ! Very Impressed should certainly pronounce, impressed with your site.great gaming chair

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