Reupholstering Vinyl Bar Stools
Vinyl stools that are worn or dated can get a lift when you reupholster the vinyl seat cover. Replacing the seat cover is also an ideal time to update the cushion if is is flat or torn. Reupholstering the stool is lower in cost than buying new bar stools, and you help the environment by up-cycling old furniture.
Choose a new vinyl or opt for fabric and enjoy giving the bar stools a new look.
Things You Will Need
- Hammer or screwdriver
- Newspaper
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Vinyl or upholstery fabric
- Upholstery foam
- White glue
- Staple gun
Tip
Use a vinyl that folds or bends easily, or choose a sturdy upholstery fabric for the seat cover.
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Remove the vinyl cover from the bar stool by taking out the staples or nails holding the fabric onto the seat with a hammer or screwdriver. Pull off the vinyl in one piece, if possible, to use it as a pattern for the new cover. Lay the old cover on a piece of newspaper and trace around it with a pencil to make a pattern.
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Cut a new piece of vinyl or upholstery fabric using the pattern made from the old piece of vinyl. Place the fabric on a sturdy surface, such as a table or floor, so the wrong side is facing upward.
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Inspect the padding on the seat to see if it is usable. Remove the padding if there are holes or worn spots, and cut a piece of 1- or 2-inch-thick upholstery foam to the shape of the seat.
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Glue the new piece of foam to the bar stool seat with white glue, if applicable. Flip the chair over and set the foam-padded seat in the center of the fabric or vinyl.
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Divide the bar stool seat in quarters visually, and tack one section of fabric or vinyl to the bottom of the stool from each quarter using a staple or nail. Flip the stool as you tack to verify the fabric or vinyl remains flat on the seat.
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Continue to pull the fabric to the bottom of the bar stool and tack it in place with a staple or nail. Tack the corners as the last step, if the bar stool has a square seat. Fold one side of the corner and secure it with a staple or nail, then repeat on the other side of the nail.
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Repeat this process with each bar stool you want to reupholster.
The Drip Cap
- Vinyl stools that are worn or dated can get a lift when you reupholster the vinyl seat cover.
- Reupholstering the stool is lower in cost than buying new bar stools, and you help the environment by up-cycling old furniture.
- Remove the vinyl cover from the bar stool by taking out the staples or nails holding the fabric onto the seat with a hammer or screwdriver.
- Fold one side of the corner and secure it with a staple or nail, then repeat on the other side of the nail.
Writer Bio
Jennifer Loucks has been writing since 1998. She previously worked as a technical writer for a software development company, creating software documentation, help documents and training curriculum. She now writes hobby-based articles on cooking, gardening, sewing and running. Loucks also trains for full marathons, half-marathons and shorter distance running. She holds a Bachelor of Science in animal science and business from University of Wisconsin-River Falls.
Photo Credits
- Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
- Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
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