Before and Afters
Dining Set Makeover: Paint and Tea-Tinted Fabric Make Old Chairs New
Reclaim dated dining chairs for far less than buying new, using spray paint, modern fabric and a handful of tea bags
When my husband and I bought our Dallas ranch house, we also became the owners of a dining set the previous owners had left behind. It wasn't our style, but it was sturdy and comfortable, and as my dad says, "Love the one you're with." After living with the hand-me-down dining set for three years, I was ready for a budget-friendly upgrade. Here's how I took my dining chairs from blah to bold one weekend.
BEFORE: Here is the original blue brocade upholstery.
Tools and materials needed:
- Staple gun
- 3/8-inch staples
- Screwdriver or drill
- Spray can of B-I-N Shellac-Base Primer (I used two cans for four chairs)
- Spray paint in your chosen color. (I used two cans of glossy Apple Red from Rust-Oleum to refinish four chairs)
- Spray can of polyurethane clear gloss topcoat
- Box of tea to stain upholstery fabric (I used 10 bags of Earl Grey)
- about 1/2 yard fabric of your choice per cushion, depending on seat size
- Plastic bucket, sink or soaking tub
Repainting the Chair Frame
1. Using your screwdriver or drill, remove the screws from your seat cushions and set them aside.
1. Using your screwdriver or drill, remove the screws from your seat cushions and set them aside.
2. Take the chair frames outside for painting. Cover the work area with an old sheet or tarp; I used a large canvas drop cloth in my backyard. Put on protective goggles and gloves. Spray each chair evenly with primer and allow them to dry completely. This primer spray dries quickly; the chairs should be ready for the next step within 20 minutes.
3. Spray paint the chairs. Follow the can's instructions and spray evenly and from the correct distance for best results. Allow the color coat to dry completely (about an hour).
I placed cardboard under the chairs because I was painting on a soft grass surface.
4. I love the look of high-gloss painted furniture, so I finished the job with a polyurethane topcoat. This sealed the wood and left a clear durable finish that allows me to easily wipe down the chairs after mealtimes.
5. Allow the chairs to dry completely in the open air before bringing them indoors. I let mine dry overnight, but four to five hours should be enough time.
5. Allow the chairs to dry completely in the open air before bringing them indoors. I let mine dry overnight, but four to five hours should be enough time.
Staining and Re-covering the Seat Cushions
I love the look of script, so I chose this typographic fabric from Ikea. I covered five cushions using less than 3 yards of fabric. The fabric was too white for my dining room, so I altered the color with a simple tea stain.
I love the look of script, so I chose this typographic fabric from Ikea. I covered five cushions using less than 3 yards of fabric. The fabric was too white for my dining room, so I altered the color with a simple tea stain.
1. Staining a bright white fabric with tea is a great way to give your upholstery an antique look. While the chairs are drying, fill a bucket with hot water and steep 10 or more tea bags. Plunge the fabric into the tea and let it soak for two hours or more. Stir it occasionally. The longer you let it steep, the darker the stain will be.
2. When the fabric has the desired pigmentation, wring out the water and hang the fabric to dry or toss it in the dryer on medium until it's thoroughly dry.
3. Place the cushion on the fabric and cut around it with scissors, leaving enough space around the edges to completely cover your cushions, including the sides and a few inches of overlap underneath. I left 5 to 6 inches of extra fabric around the edges of the cushion.
4. Fold the edges of the fabric, tucking under the rough edges. This will help keep your fabric from fraying and coming loose over time.
Tip: If your fabric has a pattern with a clear top and bottom, such as this script, be sure the design is lined up properly. In this case, I positioned the script to be readable when you're facing the chair.
Tip: If your fabric has a pattern with a clear top and bottom, such as this script, be sure the design is lined up properly. In this case, I positioned the script to be readable when you're facing the chair.
5. Using a staple gun, secure the edge of the fabric to the underside of the seat. I had the most success when I began with the front lip of the chair. When the front is secure, pull the fabric taut across the top of the seat and secure the back lip of the cushion, leaving the sides and corners free.
When handling the corners, I simply pintucked the fabric and used a few extra staples to secure the overlapped areas. Staple the sides of the cushion last and smooth the fabric with your hand as you complete the job. Make sure the top of the cushion is smooth.
When handling the corners, I simply pintucked the fabric and used a few extra staples to secure the overlapped areas. Staple the sides of the cushion last and smooth the fabric with your hand as you complete the job. Make sure the top of the cushion is smooth.
6. When the chair frames are thoroughly dry, reattach the newly covered cushions with a screwdriver or drill.
Here's a look at the chairs before and after.
My refreshed dining set now looks ready to host a tea party. Treating the white upholstery with a tea stain brought it more in line with the off-white area rug and pendant light above the table.
Your turn: Share your dining chair makeover below!
Your turn: Share your dining chair makeover below!
Skill level: Moderate
Cost: $65, if you already have a staple gun and screwdriver
Our dining room walls are painted a charcoal gray called Cracked Pepper from Behr, and we knew red would pop against the dark walls.