Turn a Thrift-Store Painting Into a Seat Cushion
Revamp old chairs on the cheap by covering the seats with canvas paintings.

Who says paintings should just hang on walls and chairs should just be covered in your typical upholstery choices? You have seen chairs hung on walls, so why not try putting a painting on a chair with this clever DIY recovering project.

Jennifer Perkins
Unless you are skilled at upholstery, to make this project easier, look for a chair with a seat that unscrews. After that, all you need is a large thrifted painted and a staple gun.

Jennifer Perkins
Tools and Materials
- chair
- canvas painting
- scissors
- screwdriver
- staple gun and staples

Jennifer Perkins
When shopping for a chair to recover choose one with a seat that is screwed in place. A quick flip of a chair in the thrift store will let you know what you are working with.
Also from the thrift store, select a canvas that seems malleable. Some older pieces of art are either too nice to cut up or have become stiff and brittle. Choose a piece with a design you like and some flexibility.

Jennifer Perkins
Use scissors or a knife to cut the canvas out of the picture frame. Use the frame for something else or donate it back to the thrift store.

Jennifer Perkins
Unscrew the seat from the chair. The underside will give you an idea about how this process will work. There is no need to remove the existing seat cover or staples.

Jennifer Perkins
Place the seat onto the canvas and trim leaving enough canvas on all sides to wrap around the seat.

Jennifer Perkins
Use a staple gun to attach the canvas to the underside of the seat. Start at the four opposite sides like dividing the circle into a pie. Repeat again stapling the section in-between pulling the canvas tightly as you go.
Be sure to trim off any excess canvas before reattaching the seat to the chair.

Jennifer Perkins
Perfect at your desk or boudoir mirror; this flea market makeover can make any plain chair look amazing. Consider doing an entire set in different canvases.