How To Reupholster A Stool - DIY Instructions (With Photos)

Reupholstering a stool is one of the easiest and most beginner friendly DIY projects you can start with. It does not require advanced skills, expensive tools, or a huge time commitment. When I first tried it, I was surprised by how simple the process was and how dramatic the results looked. If you have an old stool at home that feels worn out or outdated, this is a great project to try. 

I happened to acquire an old red stool which had worn out leather on the top. The leather was cracked, damaged and in awful condition. The owner actually gave me the stool for free, as it was in such poor shape. 

Take a look below at how I transformed an old stool, and hopefully you can all try this out for yourself. 

Before (photo)

This photo showed the state of the stool before I embarked on this DIY stool reupholstery project. It used to be covered with a red cowhide leather, and looked really unique and interesting. However, the previous owner used the stool for over 10 years and by the time he gave it to me, the leather has faded to an awkward, disenchanting brown. 

DIY Reupholstery Instructions

Duration: 45 minutes- 1 hour

Cost: around $26-30

Step 1: Buy your equipment

You will need a few items to get started on reupholstering your stool at home. I purchased the following items on Amazon or Taobao for a really low price:

1) Staple gun (for wood) - $5

2) Scissors (for fabric)- $5

3) Staple remover (for wooden staples)- $3

4) "U-shaped" staples - $3

5) Fabric- $10

These tools are very basic, and once you buy them you can use them for many future projects. I chose a manual staple gun because it was affordable and easy to control. Fabric scissors are important because dull scissors will make your cuts uneven and messy. The staple remover may seem optional at first, but trust me, it makes the job much easier and prevents damage to the stool frame. 

Step 2: Remove the old staples

The first real step of the process is removing the existing upholstery. I started by flipping the stool cushion upside down and examining how the old leather fabric was attached. Most stools are simply secured with rows of staples along the wooden base. 

Using the staple remover, I carefully pried each staple out one by one. This part requires patience. Some staples come out easily, while others are stubborn and may break or bend. 

I found it helpful to work slowly and avoid forcing the tool too aggressively. If you rush this step, you may accidentally damage the wood or tear the foam underneath. 

Once all the staples were removed, I gently peeled away the old fabric. Removing the original upholstery also gave me the chance to inspect the condition of the cushion. If the foam is still firm and comfortable like mine was, you can reuse it. If it has flattened over time, this is the perfect opportunity to replace it with new padding. You'll have to purchase these separately and wrap them on before you attach the new fabric.

I was pretty horrified by the condition the old leather upholstery was in! The leather was extremely damaged and looked discoloured. The previous owner told me that he used the stool for over 10 years. It's about time that this handmade stool deserved a new skin. 

Step 3: Cut your fabric for the new upholstery

Choosing the right fabric is one of the most exciting parts of the process. I personally like to pick materials that are durable, easy to clean, and trendy. Cotton blends, leather, and synthetic upholstery fabrics are all good options as they are stretchy and can be easily stapled onto wood. If the stool will be used frequently, thicker fabric is usually a better choice. 

I chose this beautiful yellow mustard boucle fabric that was made of 90% wool and 10% elastane. I purchased this for around $10 on Taobao, and shipped it to Hong Kong. 

I traced the shape from the old leather upholstery to make sure that it's roughly the same size. Before cutting, I placed the old stool cushion on top of the fabric and made sure there was enough excess material on all sides. 

A good rule of thumb is to leave at least 4-5cm of extra fabric around the edges. This extra margin makes it easier to stretch and secure the material neatly. 

When cutting, I tried to keep my lines as straight as possible. It does not need to be perfect, but clean edges will make the final result look more professional. I also paid attention to the direction of patterns or textures. If the fabric has stripes or prints, aligning them properly can make a big difference in the final appearance.

Step 4: Staple the sides of the fabric

This is the hardest part of the process. I installed some U-shaped metal staples into the staple gun (pictured below). Make sure you use this type of staples, as the other T-shaped ones are not suitable for reupholstry. 

I placed the cushion face down onto the center of the cut fabric. Then I pulled one side of the fabric over the wooden base and secured it with the staple from the staple gun. 

After that, I moved to the opposite side, pulled the fabric tightly, and stapled it in place. Working with opposite sides first is best as you can do parallel sides first, and I even had to use my feet to anchor the cushion downwards as I stapled to help distribute tension evenly. 

I maintained a good tension to keep the fabric smooth and wrinkle free. The key here is to maintain firm but not excessive tension. If you pull too hard, the fabric may distort or tear. If you pull too lightly, the surface may end up loose and uneven. 

Corners can be slightly tricky, especially for beginners. I treated them like wrapping a gift, folding the fabric neatly and stapling it down in small increments. As my fabric here was stretchy, I pulled really hard in the edges and anchored some staples diagonally in the corner. 

Taking your time with this step really pays off. Once all the edges were secured, I checked the top surface to make sure everything looked smooth and symmetrical.

Overall, I'm pretty happy with my attempt at making the corners smooth. As this is my first time, I wasn't expecting perfection but it looked pretty decent to me. There were some minor areas in the base of the wood which I could have done better. However, on the whole, I'm really impressed with how lovely the fabric looked and how smooth the corners are!

Step 5: Install the new cushion onto the stool

After the upholstery was complete, the final step was to reattach the cushion to the stool frame. My stool was handmade by the previous owner, so it was easy to put back together. The cushion area simply slotted back onto the wooden frame and legs. 

Once everything was assembled, I flipped the stool upright and took a moment to admire the result. The difference was immediate and incredibly satisfying. What used to look worn (and would have been thrown in the bin) and outdated now felt brand new and stylish. 

Reupholstering a stool is not just about saving money. It is also about sustainability, one of my core values and reason why I love thrifting instead of buying new. Instead of discarding old furniture, you are giving it a new identity. Each project becomes an opportunity to experiment with textures, colors, and styles that reflect your personal taste.

If you are hesitant to try reupholstering a stool or a chair, I would encourage you to try it and follow my guide. The first attempt may not be perfect, but the process itself is super fun and educational. In the end, reupholstering a stool taught me that home improvement does not always require professional help or large budgets. Sometimes all it takes is a few simple tools, a piece of fabric you love, and the willingness to try something new.