Recover a Chair in Under 2 Minutes

The title of this post is a LITTLE deceiving, but only because you won't be able to recover an entire chair in under two minutes, unless of course it's a dining chair with just a seat cushion. If that's the case, then it CAN be done and I'm going to show you how. Not only am I going to show you how you can do it super quickly, {I even included a video to prove it}, but also how you can do it for super cheap too! It's a win-win for everyone!

Let's begin with my Goodwill haul from today. I go to the thrift store about once a week, just to cruise for items on my "want/need" list. I've been WANTING new pillows for outside, some old bottles, and some shorts/pants for Emerson {because she's growing like a weed} + some spring/summer dresses for her and I. I've been NEEDING fabric to recover 2 dining chairs that have been out in the garage for a while, and a queen size bedskirt for our bed. Currently, I have curtain remnants of painters drop cloths pinned to the mattress {I know, please continue rolling your eyes because I am too}.Today I found ALL of these things for less than $20 total! The pillows are indoor pillows currently, but I am going to spray them with waterproof fabric spray so that they can hang out outside {on the covered porch}. The bedskirt has a linen feel to it + is super airy. I'm going to put that on the bed as soon as I finish up here. The fabric that I found for the chairs is at the bottom of this picture. I believe it's actually a tablecloth because it's quite large + thick {it feels like upholstery fabric, but is trimmed like a tablecloth}. Anyway, the fabric was originally $4.99, but because the color of the day at Goodwill today was GREEN and the tag on the fabric was green, I got it half price, so ~$2.50! Now, on to the chair recovery process.

I have a few pictures/fabric shopping tips that I'll share after this short video. I told you this whole process can be completed in under two minutes. I figured you wouldn't believe me, so I'm just going to prove it! P.S. I created a YouTube account, so that I can start posting videos within my blog for easier access. Be sure to subscribe and tell me what you think and if you found this helpful!  My YouTube Channel is listed as A Little Thrifty Chic. Click the video below {or the username to the left} to view! Also, my hair looks like a complete HOT MESS in the video, please don't judge.

STEP ONE: Begin with your seat cushion positioned centrally on the pre-cut piece of fabric {measurements don't need to be precise unless you have just the right amount of fabric,  otherwise just eyeball it so that you'll have enough fabric to wrap around each side}. 

 STEP TWO: Fold two opposite sides, one at a time. Pull each tightly and staple 5-10 staples firmly into the wood under the cushion.  {I just went right on top of the existing fabric, but you could definitely remove any other fabric that's already on the cushion first if you wanted}.

STEP THREE: Fold the other two sides like you would a present {at the ends}. It should form 2 triangles. From there, you'll fold the entire end {both triangles together} over the cushion and staple it to the wood. Don't be shy with the staples here and really apply pressure since there's more fabric here from where we folded the fabric on top of itself. Follow the sequence of pictures below.

Before stapling, carefully inspect the corners where you folded it like a present. If it is bunched up oddly or just doesn't look right, undo + try again. It should be pretty seamless, as this is the portion of the cushion that will be visible {the underside doesn't matter obviously}. 

STEP FOUR {final step}: Turn the cushion right side up, and reassemble it onto the chair. Step back and admire your super easy + super quick chair transformation! This particular chair was $2.50 {but I have 2, so make it $5}, the spray paint was $3 and the fabric was $2.50, so the total cost to redo both chairs was just about $11. NOT TOO SHABBY! I'll post pictures on Instagram tomorrow of the chairs in their new home.

I'm telling y'all, this is SO easy! If you don't own a staple gun, go to Lowe's and buy you one! You won't regret it; it's been my most useful tool! Also, really quickly, when searching for fabric, I highly recommend browsing the linens section at the thrift store {or a couple thrift stores}. Just wash it first and it's good as new! Don't limit yourself to the fabric store. You can use tablecloths, shower curtains, blankets, curtains, sheets, etc. The opportunities are endless and SO MUCH CHEAPER than buying fabric, usually. Like I said earlier, this fabric seen here was a tablecloth and I have enough left over to recover my ottomans, should I choose to go that route. Be thrifty and creative when searching for fabric. Think outside the box! :) Hope you've found this helpful. Come back Saturday for some simple tips on decorating your front porch for the warmer weather and on a budget, at that! XO!