Upholster a stool in no time

A quick and easy way to upcycle your furniture or refresh your space with a new look.

Feb 16, 2025

Friday night, I updated the upholstery on my IKEA Frosta stools (to zebra), and it got me thinking – it might be a good idea to move some of my DIY guides to Substack. So here it is, a short guide on upholstering a stool or any other chair with a removable seat and backrest.

Friday night zebrafying my Frosta stools

The guide

Upholstering is a quick and easy way to upcycle your furniture or refresh your space with a new look. And the best part? It’s super easy to change again, so don’t be afraid to play with colours, patterns, and textures. It’s a fantastic way to experiment with new styles and build your interior confidence.

Here we go:

Tools and materials

A stool or chair with a removable seat
Drill or screwdriver
Upholstery fabric
Batting
Staple gun
Scissors

Tip: You don’t have to use upholstery fabric – any fabric with a high Martindale rating (preferably over 25,000) will work, making it durable for regular use. The striped fabric in this guide is awning fabric, which is strong and perfect for upholstery. I found it at stofkiosken.dk.

How to

Step 1: Disassemble the Stool
Use a drill or screwdriver to remove the seat from the frame.

Step 2: Prepare the Seat
Lay the seat on a flat surface and place the batting on top. Cut the batting to fit the shape of the seat, leaving enough overhang to wrap around the edges.

Step 3: Attach the Batting
Wrap the batting tightly (but don’t overstretch it) around the seat. Start by stapling at four opposite points to evenly secure it, then work your way around, ensuring there are no wrinkles or loose areas.

Step 4: Add the Upholstery Fabric
Lay the fabric on a flat surface with the pattern facing down. Place the padded seat on top, then repeat the same stapling process as with the batting, securing opposite points first before working your way around.