How to reupholster a simple cushion

Upholstery repair is an art, y’all.

Upholstery repair is an art, y’all.

stool upholstery
upholstery

DIY cushion upholstery repair

I sat down with Janie of from our Retro Den Upholstery Team yesterday for a lesson in simple upholstery. We chose a little stool on the shop floor, so I could learn the most basic seat cushion techniques. I thought it would be fun to make a video, and I clamped my camera tripod to our shop ceiling to capture my lesson. It was silly and fun to know we were being captured on film from above. I chose a modern fabric from our friends at Owl and Drum.

I'd like to note that Janie shared her amazing, industrial staple gun with me, but you could for sure get away with a staple gun like the one pictured. Janie's pro tool was super fun to use–so responsive to the lightest touch!–but also weirdly terrifying. Everyone remembers that kid who stapled themselves in elementary school, and I kept thinking about her while doing this project. 

I'd recommend having a few basic tools:

  • screwdriver, whichever one you need to get your cushion removed from your base

  • staple lifter

  • staple gun

  • scissors

  • your fabric

  • duster fabric to finish under your cushion

Without further ado, the video tutorial for DIY upholstery:

Janie teaches me to do simple upholstery repair.

Janie teaches me to do simple upholstery repair.

how to reupholster

Don’t want to DIY? We upholster everything we can get our hands on over here…so bring us your furniture for fresh upholstery repair!


diy upholstery
Tulsa Interior Designer
 

"The Ashleys made respect and empowerment the cornerstones of the process from the get-go: they were here to help, not to tell me what to do. And their help? Is actually helpful."
- Alicia, home styling client