How to Reupholster a Coffee Table
Reupholstering a coffee table can help give an old and dull piece of furniture a vibrant, updated style. With a few materials and tools, you can give a tired piece of furniture a beautiful new look in a few hours.
Things You’ll Need:
- Foam padding
- Fabric of your choice
- Staples or upholstery tacks and a hammer
- A staple gun or an upholstery stapler
- Scissors
- A needle and thread
Step 1: Prep the Table
Remove the existing upholstery from the coffee table frame. Do this by gently pulling up on the fabric, which should detach with minimal effort if the table has already been upholstered. If the fabric is too tightly attached and won’t pull off, locate a seam and carefully tear it open.
Step 2: Cut the New Upholstery
Measure the top and sides of the table and cut the foam and fabric to fit. Your fabric should fit the surface area of the table, with a few extra inches for the sides. For the sides, measure for the horizontal and vertical lengths, and subtract an inch in both dimensions to leave room for gathering the fabric.
Step 3: Attach the New Upholstery
Pay particular attention to the edges of your fabric. Gently pull the fabric on either of the short or long edges until the material began to gather, and then use the staple gun or upholstery stapler to attach it to the frame.
Step 4: Secure the Edges
Fold the fabric in each edge and secure it with staples or upholstery tacks and a hammer. This can be a bit tricky if you are reupholstering a rounded edge. If so, try u-shaped pieces or darts along each corner to create a neat finish.
Step 5: Reattach to Tabletop
Place the upholstered surface onto the tabletop, and carefully attach the underside with a staple gun or upholstery stapler. After attaching, you may find that a few frayed edges remain along the bottom of the table; use a needle and thread to stitch these down.
Step 6: Enjoy Your Reupholstered Piece
Your custom-looking coffee table is now ready to be enjoyed! For an added touch of personality, add colorful upholstery tacks or buttons along the edges if desired.
Your coffee table is now freshened up and ready to show off. With proper care, it will last for many years to come.
