Discover How to Upholster Bench Seat Yourself! Breathe new life into your home with this DIY budget-friendly furniture refresh.
When it comes to how to upholster bench seat, a properly reupholstered bench seat can completely transform an entire living space, giving it a fresh new look, and a touch of personality. And although you can hire a professional to do it for you, a DIY project will save you money and give you greater freedom over the final outcome. So, whether you’re looking to add a splash of color to your entryway, customize the seating in your dining room, or upcycle an old bench seat, reupholstering it is the perfect option.
Gathering Your Supplies
Before you can begin any DIY project, it is important to make sure that you have all of the essential tools laid out and ready to go. Since the success of any upholstery project lies in the quality of the materials, take your time when choosing fabric, padding, and other aesthetic elements.
Essential Materials
There are certain essential materials that you will need to complete your project, let’s take a closer look at them.
Fabric
When it comes to choosing fabric, it’s important to select an upholstery-grade fabric, due to its thicker more durable design. Upholstery fabric comes in a wide selection of colors, textures, and patterns that can match just about any living space. If your bench seat does not already have a cushion on it, you will want to measure the top and then add a few inches on each side to ensure that there is enough coverage. Otherwise, you can use the original upholstery material as a pattern as part of the how to upholster bench process.
Foam Padding
The comfort of any bench project will depend on the quality of the foam. Choosing the wrong foam when planning how to upholster bench seat, will result in a very uncomfortable seat after a few minutes of compression. As a result, you will want a 1 to 2-inch-thick high-quality, high-density foam that won’t flatten out over time.
Batting
You will also need a layer of batting which will go between the upholstery and the foam. The purpose of the batting when dealing with how to upholster bench seats, is to smooth out any edges and provide additional cushioning. You have your choice of either cotton or polyester batting, but, if you live in a humid climate make sure to select the polyester batting as it’s less likely to absorb moisture.
Staple Gun and Staples
Naturally, you will need to secure the fabric and batting to the underside of the bench seat, so make sure you have a heavy-duty staple gun and plenty of staples. These staples are perhaps the most important aspect of any professional-looking job, so make sure not to cut corners when selecting them.
Scissors
You will also need a good pair of scissors. If you have ever worked with fabric in the past, you will know that the standard household scissors are simply not designed for cutting fabric. Using standard household scissors will result in jagged lines and lots of frayed edges. Make sure to get yourself a set of heavy-duty fabric shears as these are often sharper and more durable than the household variety.
Pliers and Flathead Screwdriver
When planning on how to upholster bench seat that currently has a fabric covering, you will also need a pair of pliers and a flathead screwdriver. The flathead screwdriver will be used to pry up the old staples from the wood, and the pliers can be used to ensure that both legs of the staple are completely removed.
Measuring Tape
To ensure accurate measurements, you will also need a good tape measure. Although it’s possible to use a standard flexible clothing rule, you may find it easier to use a contractor’s tape measure so that you can lock it to a specific length. This will help ensure that you are cutting the fabric and foam to the correct size for a more seamless look.
Marker or Chalk
Lastly, you will need a way to mark your cut lines on the fabric and foam. Professional upholstery shops will generally use a form of chalk, but you can also use a marker or soap, depending on the fabric color. Just make sure that you don’t accidentally get the marking material on any part of the fabric that may be visible later.
Optional Tools
Although not necessary, having the following optional tools can make your job a whole lot easier, and create a more professional finish.
Spray Adhesive
High-quality spray adhesive will help you to secure the foam to the top of the bench surface, and keep it in place during the reupholstering process. Although not necessary, the spray adhesive will keep the foam in place long after the upholstery project is done, and keep the bench looking great for years to come.
Decorative Trim or Nailhead Accents
At the same time, if you want to provide a more elegant and professional finish, make sure to pick up some decorative trim and nailhead accents. The decorative trim can help cover up any rough edges, and nailhead accents provide the finished piece with a more professional quality look.
Saying Goodbye to the Old
The first step of the how to upholster bench seat project involves the removal of any existing upholstery. Although not all benches will have been previously upholstery, if yours was at any point, then you will need to make sure to remove the original material, staples, or finishing accents.
Remove the Bench Seat
For newer bench seats, your seat may be removable, so you will need to unscrew it or unbolt it from the frame. It is a whole lot easier to work on a seat separately from the bench frame, as it makes the process more manageable. However, if you are upcycling an older bench, this may not be possible.
Remove Old Fabric
Regardless of whether you removed the seat, or are working with an older bench, you will want to remove any of the old fabric, staples, or accents. Start by sliding your flathead screwdriver underneath each staple, and gently pry up. You will find that most of the staples pop up without any issues. However, some staples will come up crooked and only one leg will pop out of the wood. This is where the pliers come in handy, as you can grab the other leg of the staple, and completely remove it.
Examine the Foam
Once again, if your bench had fabric before, it most likely also had a layer of foam. Once you have completely removed the fabric, it’s time to assess the condition of the existing foam. If it is still in good condition, then you might be able to use it. However, replacing the foam ensures that the project looks more professional when finished. More importantly, it helps ensure that the bench will last a longer time.
How to Upholster Bench Seat Cushioning
Once you have removed all of the old fabric, as well as any bad foam, it’s time to build up your bench seat from scratch.
Cutting the Foam
To complete this task, you can simply place your bench seat on top of the piece of foam, and carefully mark the edges. You may also opt to measure the bench seat and transfer the dimensions to the foam. However, it’s a lot easier to simply trace the outline of the seat onto the phone, and then carefully cut it to size. Although it’s possible to use scissors for thinner foam, it is always best to use an electric carving knife to create smoother edges.
Attaching the Foam
As mentioned previously, although spray adhesive is optional, it is very helpful. You will want to apply a thin layer of the adhesive to the seat base, as well as to the foam. Do not stick it down right away, rather give it some time for the adhesive to tack up, and then attach the two. The adhesive will prevent the foam from shifting both during and after the reupholstering process.
Add Batting Over the Foam
The next step is to add a new layer of batting over the foam. When measuring out the batting, you will need to add a few extra inches on each side to account for the thickness of the foam and to allow the batting to wrap underneath the base. This will provide a buffer between the foam and fabric, allowing you to smooth out any edges and create a more polished and professional look. Once the batting has been cut, simply wrap it around the foam and staple it as you go, making sure to keep it taut a long way.
Finishing with Fabric
Once you have added the foam, and wrapped it with batting, it’s time to put on the final layer of upholstery fabric. This is the point of the project where you will see the biggest transformation, and have the opportunity to completely express your style to the fullest.
Measure and Cut the Fabric
If your piece had been covered by fabric in the past, you should use the original fabric as a pattern for the replacement material. However, you may also make your pattern from scratch simply by laying the batting-covered piece on top of the fabric and measuring along the edges. Make sure to leave an additional 3 to 4 inches of extra fabric on each side for stapling. Once you have determined that you measured out your fabric correctly, it’s time to cut it using the fabric shears.
Position the Fabric
Start by centering the cut fabric over the top of the cushion seat, making sure that it is aligned properly in all directions. This is especially crucial when dealing with pattern fabric. You want to make sure that everything looks right before you begin to attach any staples at all. Any mistakes at this point, will only be amplified once you start attaching the fabric to the base.
Stapling the Fabric
Nex in your how to upholster bench seat project. start stapling the fabric along one side of the bench seat, under the base. Then starting from the middle, pull the fabric tight and staple on the opposite side continue working from the center to the corners, stapling as you go. This will ensure that the fabric is evenly stretched at all points. Make sure to avoid overstretching the material as this can cause puckering or distortion in the patterns.
Create Neat Corners
The hardest part about reupholstering any seat is creating neat corners. Although corners can be tricky, as long as you take your time you can still create a clean and polished look. When the most popular technique is to fold the fabric like you are wrapping a gift, one side over the other. Then go ahead and staple it to the underside. Repeat this step on all 4 corners, ensuring there is a snug and smooth finish.
How to Upholster Bench Seat Success
Now that you have completely covered your new bench seat, it’s time to tackle the final touches.
Trim Excess Fabric
start by trimming any extra fabric and batting from the underside carefully. You want to leave about half an inch of material beyond the staples to prevent any fraying.
Double-Check Staples
As you are trimming, pay close attention to the material, and add additional staples if necessary. You may find that some of the staples are not securely embedded into the base, or were driven in crooked. Go ahead and take the time to replace those staples, and add a few extra staples in high-stress areas like the corners.
Add Decorative Trim or Nailhead Accents
Finally, it’s time to add any decorative trim or nailhead accents to your how to upholster bench seat project. Decorative trim along the edges can help give your bench a more elegant look, and nailhead accents will create a more professional-looking finish. Trim and accents will elevate the final product, giving it a more tailored and high-end feel.
Reattach the Seat to the Bench
Last, but certainly not least, if you had to remove the seat from the bench itself, you need to reattach it using the same screws or bolts that came with it. Take the time to make sure that it is securely fastened and safe for seating. Replace any broken or rusted hardware as needed.
Final Tips on How to Upholster Bench Seats
Here are some final tips that will help make your bench seat project even better.
Maintain Your Bench
Always remember to regularly maintain your bench seat. This means to clean it with a vacuum regularly, and spot clean the fabric to keep it looking fresh and vibrant for years to come.
Experiment with Fabrics
From time to time, you may even want to switch out the fabric itself. Although it’s possible to simply replace the fabric, you may want to instead, create a cover for the bench seat, so you can easily swap it out from time to time. This will help you to refresh the look of your living space without the need to purchase new furniture.
Share Your Success
While a do-it-yourself upholstery project can be very intimidating, you can inspire your friends and family simply by sharing your successes. Take photos of the entire process, or even create a tutorial of your own. Share your upcycling success with others on your social media account.
Enjoying Your Reupholstered Bench
In the end, you will have transformed something that was old, worn out, and long past its prime, into something that is more comfortable, stylish, custom-made, and tailored to your specific needs. Not only will you have added a whole new sense of functionality and style to your living space, but you will have created something that was uniquely yours. Take your time and create a piece that truly reflects your taste and creativity.
