Kitchen and breakfast bar stools get used on a daily basis and over time their upholstered seats can show signs of wear and tear. If your bar stool seats are worn, torn, faded or stained, why not treat them to a makeover? Making new fabric covers is a relatively easy project and can give your kitchen bar stools a whole new look. It’s best to use a durable, thick fabric that will stand up to lots of use, such as denim. To be really frugal you could make your covers from old blue jeans, or see what material you can find in thrift stores.

Step 1 – Remove the old cover Unscrew the seat from the bar stool frame and use a flathead screwdriver to take out all the old staples, in order to detach the old fabric and padding.

Step 2 – Make the seat pattern Place your seat upside down on a piece of cardboard and carefully draw around the outside of the seat. Cut out the template using scissors or a utility knife.

Step 3 – Cut your cotton batting to size If you want to replace the padding on your seats, use the cardboard pattern to cut a piece of cotton batting to size. Alternatively, if you find it easier, you can place the batting on the seat and cut around the edges.

Step 4 – Fit the fabric With your bar stool the right way up, place the batting on the seat and drape your fabric over the top. Pull and smooth it so it fits snugly, and use a rubber band to hold it in place in the middle of the underside of the seat.

Step 5 – Staple the fabric Using a staple gun, begin stapling the fabric to the outer edges of the underside of the seat and work your way all the way around, at the same time holding the fabric tight for a snug fit.

Step 6 – Secure the fabric with cardboard Once you’ve stapled all the way round, cut off the excess fabric held in the rubber band and then remove the band. Cut a piece of strong cardboard to size, to fit underneath the seat to help keep the fabric in place and give a tidier finish. Staple this over the top of the fabric, stapling in the middle and around the edges to make sure it’s secure.

Step 7 – Treat with fabric protector With your seat the right way up, spray the fabric with a fabric protector such as Scotch Guard, to help prevent staining. It’s best to apply two coats or more for maximum effectiveness. That’s it. As soon as the fabric spray is dry you can screw the seat back onto the frame and your bar stool makeover is complete. Making new covers for your bar stools is a cheap and simple way to add your personal style to your decor and improve the appearance of your whole room.

2008 Simon Phillips. Visit Getbarstools.com for a great selection of cheap bar stools, including custom bar stools in a huge choice of fabrics.