An office chair plays a crucial role in ensuring comfort and support during long hours of work, however, sometimes the appearance of the chair can become worn or damaged because of continuous use. So if your chair is also looking damaged because of long working hours and you want to refresh its appearance. This is the time you need to cover your chair to not only refresh its appearance but also protect it from damage, spills, and stains.
While sewing can be a great way to recover but it includes too much time and having expert skills, and equipment that not everyone may have. There are also more different ways to cover an office chair without sewing, so anyone can easily do it and give their chair a new look. So let’s talk about these!
3 Simple Methods to Cover Your Office Chair Without Sewing
You can cover your office chair with fabric and without any sewing skills or equipment, with these 3 DIY chair slipcover methods:
- Using staple Gun
- Applying Velcro Strips
- Using Fabric Glue
Once you have understood the methods, and are ready to start covering, ultimately you will need to use fabric to cover your chair. However you can use any of your old ones, but make sure the fabric is durable, easy to maintain for a long-lasting cover and the color is matching with your office decoration.
Measuring and Cutting the Fabric
Now it is time to measure and cut the fabric for covering, you need to measure your computer office chair fully. Take a measuring tape and first measure the backrest, you have to add some inches extra, if the backrest of your chair is 24 inches by 22 inches, add two to three extra inches on all sides. Next to the seat, measure the seat from back to front and side to side, and add an extra 2-3 inches, so it will be easier to cover on each side.
Next, if your chair has armrests then it is recommended to cover them as well, whether these are damaged or not, as they are also prone to wear and tear over time. Simply measure the armrests from top to bottom and side to side and add an extra 2-3 inches on all sides.
After taking all these measurements, cut the fabric according to those dimensions with a scissor or fabric cutter and make the fabric ready for covering.
How to Cover through Staple Gun?
Gather Materials:
- Fabric
- Staple gun
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Screwdriver (if the chairs need disassembly)
First of all look at the chair components such as armrests, backrests, and seat. If these are removable, it is recommended to remove them for easier covering. Use a screwdriver to loosen any screws and carefully take off the seat or backrest.
Also Read Full Guide: How to Disassemble Office Chair?
Once you have removed the necessary components, it is time to cover the chair using a staple gun:
Position the Fabric
Once the backrest, armrest, and seat are removed, you need to position the fabric according to the cover pattern. Beginning with the seat, lay the fabric over it and make sure it is centered and not tilted or crooked. You can also use small pieces of tape to keep the fabric in place.
Secure with Staples
Now it is time to use the staple gun instead of a needle. Take the staple gun and place it at one corner of the seat, pull back the fabric tightly with your other hand so that any wrinkles or bumps are eliminated. Then fix the first staple to hold the fabric in place.
Similarly, stretch and pull the rest of the fabric on all sides and secure it with staples. Make sure to keep an evenly spaced distance between each staple, in this way, the fabric will remain tightened and smooth.
Reassemble the Chair
After covering all necessary components, now you need to reassemble the chair using a screwdriver, as you had disassembled earlier.
Read Full Guide: Office Chair Assembly Guide
How to Cover through Applying Velcro Strips?
Gather Materials:
- Fabric
- Velcro strips
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
Velcro strips are a great alternative to using staples for covering your office chair without sewing and these will make the fabric more secure from the seat and backrest, as well as the chair frame. This method works best for chairs with a more simple design without any intricate patterns.
First is to position your fabric as well as you did for stapling. Simply lay the fabric over the seat and backrest, making sure it is centered and smooth. Now take the velcro strips and cut them into smaller pieces, about 2-3 inches in length, and make 4 to 5 pieces that are enough to cover all the edges of the chair.
Attach Velcro Strips
Now you have to attach these with the fabric, as you did the stapling method, place a velcro strip on one corner of the chair and another on the same side of the fabric, and press them together firmly to secure it in place, or another method is you can first staple the velcro strips to the fabric and then staple the fabric to the chair. Both ways will make sure that the fabric stays in place. And, now you need to repeat until all the edges are secure.
How to Cover through Fabric Glue?
Gather Materials:
- Fabric
- Fabric glue
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
This method is similar to using Velcro strips, however, instead of stapling or attaching Velcro strips, you will be using fabric glue. So now you may think about what type of fabric glue is best; there are various types of fabric glue available in the market, and you can use whatever you have, just make sure it is suitable for the type of fabric you are using.
We would recommend using washable fabric glue, so in the future, if you need to remove the cover for washing or replacement, it will be easier to do.
Position and Secure the Fabric
After selecting the fabric, start the process of covering, just like the previous methods, lay the fabric over the chair and cut it according to the measurements. Then apply a thin layer of fabric glue on all edges of the chair and carefully place the fabric onto it, making sure it is centered and smoothed out.
Press the fabric firmly onto the glue to secure it in place, but maybe because of the glue the fabric will be sliding, for this, you can use small pins or tape to hold the fabric in place.
Now your work is done, if your chair is looking good and all the fabric is placed properly, leave it for about 10 to 12 hours, so the glue can completely dry and the fabric will stick firmly to the chair.
Care Tips and Routine to Keep the Cover Long Lasting and Clean
No matter which method you choose to cover your office chair without sewing skills, once you are done and using your slipcovered chair well, we have listed some care tips to keep it looking fresh and clean, so you won’t need to cover it again and again.
- The first and most easy way is to regularly vacuum the cover, or after using it, quickly brush off any dust or debris.
- Try to avoid eating or drinking on the chair to prevent spills and stains. If you do accidentally spill something, clean it up immediately with a damp cloth or paper towel.
- Most of the time, the fabric of the chair becomes dirty because of sweat, so try to use a fabric cleaner or solution specifically designed for your type of fabric.
- Well, there are different types of fabric like velvet, leather, and other materials with specific cleaning instructions. All cover fabrics must be cleaned, for this, you can use cleaning solutions or can make your own using warm water and mild soap.
- Lastly, If your chair has cushions and pillows, then rotate them regularly to avoid uneven wear and tear on the cover.
Now you have successfully implemented a new cover for your office chair, and these care tips will keep your chair looking new and fresh for a long time.
FAQs:
How do I remove the existing cover from my office chair?
If your chair is already covered with fabric, you will need to remove the existing ones, before applying a new one. To do this, turn your chair upside down and locate the screws holding the seat cushion in place. Use a screwdriver to unscrew them and remove the cushion from the chair frame.
Then you can remove the old ones with a needle(If it’s sewn) or staples, depending on how the fabric is attached. Once the old cover is removed, you can proceed with your chosen method.
How to Put Fabric on a Chair Cushion?
Putting fabric on a chair cushion is a straightforward process as you did the cover for the rest of the chair. First, measure and cut the size according to the cushion size, make sure to leave extra inches, and use any of the methods above to secure the fabric in place, either with staples, velcro strips, or fabric glue. Repeat this process for all of the cushions and then attach them back onto the chair frame.
What are More DIY Office Chair Slipcover Methods (No-Sew)?
Aside from using staples, velcro strips, and fabric glue, there are other methods you can use for a no-sew office chair slipcover such as using safety pins or elastic bands to secure the fabric in place. you can also use ribbons that can be tied around the chair frame.
What fabric should I use for seat covers?
When choosing fabric for seat covers, you can choose materials that are both durable and easy to clean. Leather or faux leather is recommended, as these offer a sleek appearance and are also easy to wipe clean.
Conclusion
In conclusion, you have successfully learned multiple methods to slipcover your office chair, whether with staples, velcro strips, or fabric glue. Each method has its pros and cons if you have chosen the stapling method, ultimately you will need to have a staple gun and staples on hand. On the other hand, velcro strips are easy to remove and replace whenever needed. Lastly, you should follow the care routine, we have mentioned.
