Are you thinking of reupholstering your favorite chair? Reupholstering your chair is a good decision. For one, you are reusing an item of sentimental worth and giving it a new, fresh design with the help of newer patterns and better fabrics. But a common fear you may have is measuring upholstery accurately.
You may have found your favorite material, perhaps a floral printed fabric or something with stripes for a more contemporary look. But how do you get the correct measurements? Fret not; measuring upholstery can be easy if you know how to get the correct numbers.
Get Your Measuring Tape Ready
Before you reupholster your favorite chair, you’ll need to measure each part. Grab your measuring tape and find out how!
Examine the Furniture Piece and Its Parts
Make sure to note its size and shape. You’re not going to cover a flat-piece object; each section of your chair is covered with fabric and padding. For example, it can be a fully upholstered chair or an armless stool. This will give you an idea of how much you’re going to spend on your material.
Measure the Section Sizes
Measure from side by side, then up and down. When measuring the bottom part, take only the visible area. For cushions, measure at the broadest point and consider any border or piping included in the design.
Jot Down the Measurements
Measure these parts and write them down:
- Seat cushion
- Chair arm
- Chair height
- Back support cushion
- The lower portion beneath the cushion
If additional parts of your chair are not included in the list, write them down.
Add Extra Inches
Add an extra three or four inches to the entire calculation. This is especially helpful for padded areas, as cushions have an additional measurement (depth) that states the thickness of the padding. If you’re reupholstering with patterned fabric, adding a few inches will account for repeat patterns.
Scale Your Measurements on Graph Paper
If you have the artistic skill, it helps to scale your chair with the measurements on graph paper. This represents the sections of the fabric, which will give you a more precise estimate of how many yards you’ll be buying. This representation also allows you to see how you’ll be able to put the reupholstery project together.
Add Your Measurements
Take all the measurements you jotted down and add the figures. Then, divide that number by 36 to convert it to yards. Round off the result to the nearest full number. This is the fabric you’ll purchase for your upholstery project.
Getting Chair Measurements Is Easy
Now that you know how to get chair measurements, you can get started on your upholstery project. Remember that having a few extra fabric scraps is always best rather than underestimating the whole project. If you have chosen a fabric with patterns, consider the potential repeats in the design. We have tackled that factor in our previous post here.
Image Source: Honey & Fitz, HGTV