Pull up a chair…
Are your chairs looking a little lacklustre? Do they no longer fit the look you’re going for? It may be time for an upgrade. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to replace them altogether. Far from it!
From fixing wonky chair legs to adding new seat pads or switching up the colour, there’s a whole host of things you can do to revive your tired old chairs.
Ready to learn how? Read on now…
5 inspired ideas for your beloved old chairs
1. Add sheepskin seat pads for extra comfort
Love the look of your dining chairs but wish they were more comfortable?
No problem. Many wooden, wicker and plastic designs don’t come with cushions or pads included – often to maintain a clean, classic look or to emphasise certain design details. However, sitting on chairs with no cushioning for an extended period of time can be pretty uncomfortable!
One quick and simple solution is to add an extra snug sheepskin seat pad to each of your chairs. Their sumptuously soft texture will make your chairs super comfortable without altering the original design or feeling too bulky. Our sheepskin seat pads can also be dotted along kitchen benches when you’re entertaining guests, and are easy to remove if you want to take your seats outside. Choose from round or square designs to suit your furniture and instantly make your chairs more warm and inviting.
2. Repair damaged frames
When it comes to old chair restoration, you also need to consider their structural integrity. Over time, joints and spindles may come loose and chair legs may start to wobble.
In many cases, these are minor issues that can be fixed at home. A short chair leg can be remedied with an adjustable levelling foot, while strong wood glue and new screws can be used to secure any loose parts. However, if the movement is quite excessive, you may need to consider adding a bracket to the underside.
3. Reupholster to refresh
If your favourite chair is a family heirloom or a vintage piece featuring the original upholstery, chances are the material is past its best. Plus, while retro designs are certainly funky, they’re not for everyone and they often clash with modern decor. To banish outdated patterns and revive your old chair, why not reupholster it in a more contemporary fabric? You can pick any colour or style you like, just make sure you choose upholstery grade material that’s hard wearing and stain resistant.
If your chair gets a lot of use or has visible sagging, it may also be worth upgrading the foam cushioning while you’re at it. We recommend opting for high density foam that’s at least one inch thick for long-lasting comfort and style.
To complement the finished look and give your chair an extra layer of luxury, why not top it off with a replacement sheepskin cover? We have a vast array of sizes, shapes and designs to choose from.
4. Brighten with a lick of paint
Another way to bring your old chairs bang up to date, is to give them a brand new lick of paint. This works particularly well for pieces that have been permanently stained, visibly repaired or have a surface that’s simply past its best.
New to painting furniture? Chalk paint is by far the best option out there, as it’s really easy to apply and fully opaque after just too coats. Many chalk paints are also self-priming, so you won’t need to worry about removing old paint or priming. Simply sand the chair lightly, dust it down and then apply the paint directly from the tin.
This is a quick and easy way to upgrade old chairs or any item of wooden furniture for that matter. You can choose a shade that matches your décor or one that reflects your personality. For something a little different, why not use two paint colours to create a two-tone effect or incorporate a fun stencil for a unique finish?
5. Re-stain antique pieces
Painting your chairs is a great way to bring them back to life or even transform them entirely. However, if you’d like to maintain the original wood grain, it’s probably not the right option for you. Instead, there are couple of ways you can go. If your chairs are still in good condition but the surface has faded, you can clean them up and enhance the finish with wood polish or a conditioning wax to boost the shine.
However, if there are marks or scratches in the wood’s surface, you may need to strip it and start again. The simplest way to do this is to use a stripping solution and a bristle brush to scrub off the previous finish. Once dry, you can then apply a new stain and seal it with a coat of varnish or lacquer. And voilà – baa-eautiful chairs that look as good as they did when first bought!
Time for an upgrade?
If all else fails and your chairs are past the point of repair, we have a range of snuggly chairs and eye-catching baa stools for you to upgrade to instead!
From our stately Lord Baa Baa Chair and dream-like Nancy Armchair to the Lady Baa Baa Chair – which is like sitting on a cloud! – there are so many glorious sheepskin chairs to choose from at Baa Stool.
Browse our full range of sheepskin furniture online or find replacement covers for your existing Baa Stool seating to restore your favourite items their former glory.
