DIY Chair Makeover Before and After

Why I Decided on a DIY Chair Makeover

It’s funny how you can see something every day and not really see it, isn’t it? Our family had looked at a hideous chair in our kitchen, stained from drink spills, years of use, and miscellaneous splashes thanks to its spot near the dishwasher and sink and thought, “That looks fine to me.”

The chair was once painted silver, but the finish wore away over time, matching our black wrought iron look less and less every day. We also ignored the sagging pillow, which had lost most of its stuffing unless you angled it just right. Still, we lived with it as is.

Then one day, while enjoying a freshly cleaned kitchen and sitting with my daughter over coffee, I started to really see the chair. That’s when we made a plan for a DIY chair makeover.

Well, here’s the chair’s sad before and happy after. Let me show you how we, my daughter and I, transformed this chair!

Paint the Chair

The first step in this DIY chair makeover was tackling the frame. It was a silvery finish that clashed with our black ironwork. A can of hammered black spray paint fixed that in one afternoon.

First, my daughter repainted the chair, using the hammered black spray paint. She had never spray painted anything before, so I gave her some pointers. I assured her that it would be super easy and reminded her that it’s very important to read the instructions on the can first and really adhere to them. She did a terrific job and felt so accomplished when she was done. Now she wants to find more things to spray paint! LOL!

If you’re new to spray painting:

• Shake the can well.
• Keep the nozzle moving.
• Always follow the instructions on the label.

That small change made the chair finally match the rest of the space. It’s a subtle but important change because the color now matches the black ironwork in our kitchen and nearby stairway.

Looking for more of my favorite tools and supplies? Check out my Resources page for everything I use and recommend.

Reupholster the Seat

I had never reupholstered anything until I remade this chair. Now, I can’t wait to makeover something else! The seat was stained and worn, so fresh fabric was a must.

1. Remove the seat base (mine had just three screws).
2. Cut fabric with a few extra inches all around.
3. Start stapling in the center of one side, then pull tight and staple the opposite side.
4. Work toward the corners, folding neatly for a clean finish.

Note: Corners are the most difficult part. There are several ways to finish them. I found that this material is often stretched with heat guns to make it fit perfectly. I didn’t go that route. I decided to create tightly folded corners. Whatever you decide, a good stapler, some pliers and scissors will come in very handy. Use the pliers to help you remove any misplaced staples and the scissors to cut away excess fabric.

Want another fabric refresh project? Try my Simplest Laundry Hamper Liner.

A Fresh Pillow for the Chair

The makeover wouldn’t have felt complete without a new cushion. I’d been holding onto this fabric for a while, and it turned out to be the perfect choice.

I stitched up a quick envelope pillowcase, just one piece of fabric and a few straight seams. Honestly, I was shocked by how fast it came together, and even more surprised by how much it transformed the chair.

I share the full step-by-step tutorial separately so you can sew one too. Simple Envelope Pillowcase for Throw Pillows

If you are a beginning sewist, meaning you basically just rock the straight stitch, you will be able to make this.

When I made this, my youngest teenage son and I were the only ones home and he couldn’t believe that I made this envelope pillow so fast! I was pretty proud of myself. You should give it a try!

This little pillow was the cherry on top of the whole DIY chair makeover: simple, useful, and cute!

Ta Da! That seat makeover is an enormous improvement and the pillow is so (sew) cute!

The Final Reveal

With paint, fresh fabric, and a handmade pillow, this DIY chair makeover completely transformed our old chair. Now it’s a piece we enjoy using every day, and it was truly the best use of summer to spend my time creating with my daughter. Now she’s inspired to do more projects and we have a great memory to reflect on every time we see this chair.

You Might Also Like

• How to Make an Easy Drawstring Bag – A simple straight-stitch project that’s perfect for gifts, storage, or practicing your sewing skills.
• Simple Envelope Pillowcase for Throw Pillows – Add a custom touch to any chair or sofa with this easy sewing project! A beginner friendly way to refresh your space.
• Simplest Laundry Hamper Liner – Turn a plain hamper into something tidy and practical with this quick fabric liner tutorial.
• Fabric Scrap Storage Idea – Keep your sewing room organized with this clever way to store and use up those fabric leftovers.