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This simple restoration project gave tired wooden chairs a fresh new look.
The project
Thanks to lockdowns I had plenty of time to complete this chair renovation project.
It was pretty simple to remove the chair bases – four screws held them in place.
I then scrubbed the chairs with sugar soap and a kitchen scouring pad, let them dry and then lightly hand sanded with some fine sandpaper.
I used a spray gun to apply two coats of Dulux 1Step Prep primer, then two coats of Dulux Aquanamel semi-gloss. There is a bit of overspray so don't forget the respirator and safety glasses!
The upholstery had been secured with about 60 staples per cushion. It was a bit of a mission to remove the staples to get the old fabric off because the staples were well embedded in the upholstery.
Eventually I settled on a sharp 10mm chisel, which could get right under the staples, and some pliers for any stubborn ends.
Once the staples were removed it was a matter of cutting the new fabric to size and securing the new fabric with a staple gun.
How to restore a wooden armchair
Experienced Bunnings Workshop member Nham has put together this great step-by-step guide to restoring a wooden armchair.
More project inspiration for your home
Bunnings Workshop members are hugely creative when it comes to restoring and upcycling furniture. You can see some of our favourite projects in our collections of upcycled buffets, upcycled dining tables and Hamptons-style projects.
You can also check out our step-by-step guides How to upcycle a bedside cabinet and How to lime wash timber furniture.
Let us know if you need a hand with your own project – we're here to help.
