Could that empty corner of the room use a statement chair? If the answer is “yes” but your budget says “No way, not today!”—we've found the perfect DIY project for you! Tasha from the blog “A Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body,” has a great project to make your own upholstered chair that is easy and affordable.
Before you get started, it's important to choose the fabric and base chair for your fashionable project. A wooden chair with metal legs is suggested. You should peek into the many local consignments shops to find this type of chair or try the Internet, if all else fails. Next, choose fabric that speaks to the mood you wish to create in the room. Our local Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores have a large selection of home décor fabrics which you can buy in store or online. You will also need some Mod Podge matte finish and a pair of scissors to complete your project.
First, you need to disassemble the chair if you bought it preassembled. (If you bought your chair off the Internet, this next step is fairly simple.) Also, if you want to spray paint the chair legs, Tasha suggests doing this first. Tasha spray-painted her chair legs gold, but feel free to use any color you like or leave them as is. The type of the chair Tasha choose was a LexMod Fathom Molded Plywood Dining Chair with Metal Legs in Natural found on Amazon for $54.50.
The first step is to take the seat of the chair and place it on top of the fabric. Trace the perimeter of the wood, but make sure to trace 1-inch beyond the wood surface. Use the line that you've just traced to cut out the fabric. Next, use a sponge brush to coat the top of the chair with the Mod Podge Matte Finish, found at Joann's Fabric and Crafts Stores for $4.99 for 4 oz. Once you apply the Mod Podge, place the fabric on top. Once you smooth out the fabric for any bubbles or wrinkles, put another coat of Mod Podge on top. Repeat these steps for the backrest section of the chair.
Once your done putting on the fabric, let it dry overnight. Tasha suggests using a sharp craft or utility knife to cut off all excess fabric as close to the wood as possible. Coat the perimeter with Mod Podge to flatten the fabric and to prevent the fabric from fraying. Once this is done, all that there is left to do is reassemble your chair! For more crafty projects from Tasha, check out her blog at designertrapped.com.
