12 Creative Ways to Upcycle Old Chairs
Finding the perfect brand-new chairs for your home can be a challenge due to high prices and long lead times. Opting for secondhand chairs from antique or vintage shops is a great and eco-friendly alternative. However, if you lack the vision or creativity for a makeover, you may end up feeling frustrated and empty-handed. But don’t give up! A chair with good bones but lackluster upholstery can be transformed into a custom piece that suits your space perfectly with a little imagination and skill.
To help you get inspired, we’ve gathered advice from experts on how to revamp vintage chairs and give them new life. The key to a successful chair makeover lies not only in the chair’s structure but also in the choice of fabric and upholstery treatment. Look for chairs with a solid frame and origin that resonate with you personally. Design creator Geneva Vanderzeil emphasizes the importance of considering factors like structural integrity, style, and material when selecting a piece for a makeover. She believes in giving furniture a second chance, whether due to personal history, a unique backstory, or simply to prevent it from ending up in a landfill.
If you’re ready to tackle a chair makeover project, we’ve compiled 11 inspiring chair transformations recommended by experts in the field. From faux painting techniques to eclectic patchwork designs, these ideas are guaranteed to spark your creativity and inspire your next thrift store hunt.
For more furniture makeover inspiration, check out tips on when to DIY furniture restoration and when to seek professional help, as well as suggestions on reupholstering furniture yourself. Don’t be afraid to experiment with complementary prints or add playful pops of color to create a unique and personalized look for your space.
I assisted in selecting coordinating fabrics for a client’s chair project. The chosen yellow animal-print dot fabric complemented the yellow tones in the floral fabric. To enhance the look, I painted the frames in a bold gold color for a modern and luxurious touch. Wendy Conklin suggests looking for unexpected fabrics when recovering chairs. Geneva Vanderzeil covered a chair with a rug instead of traditional upholstery fabric to create warmth and coziness. She aimed to incorporate texture in an unconventional way and push the boundaries of traditional upholstery. Vanderzeil also emphasizes the importance of adding comfort to a chair makeover, transforming a lounge chair to feel like a cloud. She recommends using plush fabrics to enhance both the aesthetic and comfort of the piece. Drew Michael Scott shares a thrifty DIY tip of using paint to create a faux leather finish on furniture. For a less permanent option, Houses and Parties offer slipcovers that can instantly upgrade a chair and be easily removed for special occasions. The slipcovers come in different patterns and can be handmade for a personalized touch.
If you have fabric scraps lying around, consider combining them for a unique upholstery project instead of throwing them away. Hepzabeth Evans of The Upholstery Studio transformed a patchwork chair using a mix of luxury fabric and discontinued scraps, turning potential waste into a striking design statement. Designer Camila Pavone used Mod Podge decoupage paste to refresh a bentwood chair, showcasing her ‘more is more’ approach. Elizabeth Mollen of Stone Textile Studio revamped vintage dining chairs with a bold blue stripe, while Samantha Stathis Lynch of Samantha Ware Designs married mid-century chairs with a Pierre Frey fabric for a modern yet traditional look. For a mix-and-match style, Alice Marns of Marns Makes recommends choosing fabrics with a common color palette to create a cohesive and intentional design.
“Embrace a Mix of Patterns and Textures”
Alice Marns
Explore a Different Crafting Style
This chair transformation is truly inspiring, showcasing a unique approach to using cane in furniture. Expert cross-stitcher Sally Wilson reimagined the perforated back and seat of the chair as a canvas for her intricate cross-stitch design, adding a touch of granny-chic with a modern twist. “Having been immersed in cross-stitch for a decade, any surface with a grid or holes beckons me to embellish it,” shares Wilson. “Opting for wool over traditional cotton thread, sourced from a local haberdashery, I drew inspiration from vintage roses to create a striking floral pattern that complements the chair’s sleek black frame beautifully.” Sally Wilson
You May Also Enjoy:
– 15 Home Bar Gifts Perfect for Cocktail Lovers
– 32 Low-Light Indoor Plants Ideal for Dim Spaces
– Discover the Top 50 Paint Colors for Your Living Room
