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How to Update Old Chairs

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update old chairs

How to Update Old Chairs

I found 2 oak chairs at a charity shop. 4$ for the pair. I could not resist the offer.

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Step 1 of 12
Maybe if you tried for a long time would you able to find fabric that was more ugly than this. The chairs are in good nick and the price is a steal. I'll try to update them. They deserves it.

Maybe if you tried for a long time would you able to find fabric that was more ugly than this. The chairs are in good nick and the price is a steal. I'll try to update them. They deserves it.

Step 2 of 12
I took the fabric off and gave them a light sanding down before painting them with a primer. I coated them 2 times, first with white and then I added a bit of grey to the next coat of primer.

I took the fabric off and gave them a light sanding down before painting them with a primer. I coated them 2 times, first with white and then I added a bit of grey to the next coat of primer.

Step 3 of 12
I made this colour by mixing the white top paint with grey and blue. When you mix your own colours make sure to mix enough as you will not be able to hit the exact same nuance again.

I made this colour by mixing the white top paint with grey and blue. When you mix your own colours make sure to mix enough as you will not be able to hit the exact same nuance again.

Step 4 of 12
They looked too nice with their new colour so I wanted to distress them. I used sandpaper and steel wool. When distressing like this try to do it where natural wear would happen.

They looked too nice with their new colour so I wanted to distress them. I used sandpaper and steel wool. When distressing like this try to do it where natural wear would happen.

Step 5 of 12
I sanded places where I imagined that natural wear would show up. The different colours of the primer did show

I sanded places where I imagined that natural wear would show up. The different colours of the primer did show

Step 6 of 12
When I was happy with the distressing, the chair still looked too crisp if you know what I mean. So I used some antique wax I had from an other project.I applied with a lint free cloth

When I was happy with the distressing, the chair still looked too crisp if you know what I mean. So I used some antique wax I had from an other project.I applied with a lint free cloth

Step 7 of 12
I rubbed the wax off immediately with another lint free cloth. I kept applying and rubbing off until I got the effect I wanted.

I rubbed the wax off immediately with another lint free cloth. I kept applying and rubbing off until I got the effect I wanted.

Step 8 of 12
Now to the upholstering. I reused the carton from the seat and the back. I used tape to secure it to the backside. This is how to make corners.

Now to the upholstering. I reused the carton from the seat and the back. I used tape to secure it to the backside. This is how to make corners.

Step 9 of 12
Start by tacking in diagonal corners. The fabric is made for deck chairs.

Start by tacking in diagonal corners. The fabric is made for deck chairs.

Step 10 of 12
Because the chairs are made of oak I could not get the tack in without help. I hammered the drift thru the fabric and cardboard into the wood. That nailed it. ๐Ÿ˜

Because the chairs are made of oak I could not get the tack in without help. I hammered the drift thru the fabric and cardboard into the wood. That nailed it. ๐Ÿ˜

Step 11 of 12
My first attempt to distress furniture. I feel almost sad the project is done, because it gave me so much fun. Things learned: use gloves when using antique wax, my fingernails are now quiet antique.

My first attempt to distress furniture. I feel almost sad the project is done, because it gave me so much fun. Things learned: use gloves when using antique wax, my fingernails are now quiet antique.

Step 12 of 12
Before and after.

Before and after.

You're Done

Check out other guides by this author!
Brรธnshรธj , Denmark
Hi I'm Danish, 55 years old. Mum and wife, apart from that I'm almost normal

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13 Comments
Supplies
Embed

2 Old chairs

Paint

Paintbrush

Sand paper

Antique wax

Cloth

Furniture fabric

Furniture nails.

Tape

Hammer

Karen Larard

Dear Alyssa. I love them and they are surprisingly comfortable to sit on. I'll add a before and after slide, thank you for your kind words.

(author) yesterday

Alyssa Rae

Karen they look amazing! I love a modern twist on an old piece! You should add a "before & after" slide to this!!!

Alyssa Rae yesterday

Karen Larard

Dear Leah. My husband Chris insist that you are referring to him. I know autocorrect and yes the chairs looks awesome. Thank you for a very fun morning.

(author) 4 months ago

Karen Larard

Dear Maisy. It is amazing what a bit of paint and some fabric can do.

(author) 4 months ago

Leah A

The Chris look awesome

Leah A 4 months ago

Karen Larard

Dear Brittney. As soon as I saw the fabric I knew that it was IT. You have great taste too ๐Ÿ˜„

(author) 6 months ago

Karen Larard

Dear Serene. Thank you for your kind words. I didn't know that I could do it either until I tried. If you can use a paintbrush and a hammer you can do this too. ๐Ÿ˜„

(author) 6 months ago

Brittney Riley

I love that fabric! You have great taste!

Brittney Riley 6 months ago

Serene Snapguider

So admirable that you are able to do this; the chairs look beautiful & it's wonderful to give new life to old things! Well done! ๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿ˜„

Serene Snapguider 6 months ago

Karen Larard

Dear Jeanne thank you for your kind words. Here in Denmark old oak furniture are so cheap because nobody wants them. The colour of oak is not that exciting but it will outlive both you and me. Look for quality and do look at other guides on how to restore furniture. God luck chair hunting.

(author) 6 months ago

Jeanne Rice

They look awesome! Now I need to go thrift store shopping for old chairs.

Jeanne Rice 6 months ago

Karen Larard

Dear Heather. I had fun doing this. It takes time, but for me it was time well spend. The more I worked with the chairs the more respect I got for the carpenter who made them.

(author) 6 months ago

Heather Correia

Very cool. I have a set of dining chairs that I've anted to update. Maybe in the near future.

Heather Correia 6 months ago

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Frances Lin

Love the textiles you chose

Frances Lin 5 months ago

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Karen Larard

Dear Alyssa. It is amazing what a bit of paint can do

(author) yesterday

Alyssa Rae

Astounding!! Great work! Super inspirational!!!

Alyssa Rae yesterday

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