Procedure to Upholster a Bench
If the user is looking to create a customized upholstered bench, he doesn't need to worry because creating an upholstered bench is easier than it looks. An upholstered bench can be used for outdoor as well as indoor seating due to its rectangular shape. The procedure to upholster a bench is divided into three parts as mentioned below:
Make Necessary Preparations
The first part of the procedure is to make necessary preparations starting from preparing the bench to purchasing the required materials for the process. The steps to follow in this part of the procedure are given below:
- Select The Bench:
First, the user needs to decide whether he wants to reupholster an existing bench or the new one. If the user chooses to reupholster an existing bench, he needs to unscrew its legs first followed by removing its foam, fabric, and batting by taking off the staples from the base of the bench using needle nose pliers. The fabric removed from the bench can be used as a template for the fabric bench cover. - Measure The Frame & Purchase Plywood:
The next step is to measure the frame of the bench in inches. After that, the user needs to visit a home improvement store and purchase 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch plywood sheet that must be cut in similar size as the bench frame. - Buy Thick Foam:
After purchasing the plywood, the user needs to buy a thick foam core that should be greater or equal in size to the plywood piece. For better comfort, the user can purchase foam with 3-inch thickness and in order to cut the foam core as per the plywood size, it has been recommended to use an electric knife. - Clear Large Workplace & Drill Holes In Plywood:
The next step will be to clear a large workplace or table as the process gets easier if the user is able to slide the batting and fabric along the smooth surface. After that, the user needs to drill holes in the corners of the plywood through which the legs can be attached. It has been recommended to try attaching the legs through the plywood with screws in order to be sure about the holes before beginning the upholstery process.
Prepare Upholstery Base
The second part of the procedure includes preparing upholstery base by following the below-given steps:
- Buy & Cut The Batting:
First, the user needs to cut a batting roll from the craft store that should be two and a half times more than the size of the foam core. After that, the user needs to cut that batting as per the size of the plywood piece and foam core. - Attach Foam, Batting, And Plywood:
The next step will be to attach foam, batting, and plywood. First, the user needs to place a plywood sheet on a flat place followed by gluing the foam to the plywood by using foam glue. It has been recommended to apply a thin layer of foam glue on top of the plywood and let it sit as per the label instructions. After that, the user needs to glue the batting piece on top of the foam by using foam glue. - Staple Upholstery:
After that, the user needs to pick up the prepared piece and place it over a large piece of batting spread over the flat surface. The user needs to place the prepared piece at the center of the batting with plywood facing upward as the batting has to wrap around the plywood & foam in order to create an upholstery look. The wrapped up batting needs to be affixed to the plywood with a staple gun. The user needs to staple every inch of the batting and cut the excess batting with a pair of scissors.
Cover The Bench
The last part of the procedure is to cover the bench with the prepared upholstery by following the below-given steps:
- Prepare Fabric:
Once the stapled piece of foam & batting is ready, the user needs to lift it and spread a fabric sheet over the flat surface. The right side of the fabric should be facing downward after which the user needs to place the prepared piece over it at the center with plywood facing upwards. - Staple The Fabric:
After that, the user needs to wrap the fabric around the prepared piece and staple it by using a staple gun similar to the batting step. The excess fabric should be cut down with a pair of scissors as well. Also, the user can cover the bench base with a piece of fabric that should be cut one inch smaller than the bench base. The base cover of fabric should also be affixed with a staple gun. - Reattach Legs:
The last step in the procedure will be to reattach the legs with the bench base. The legs can be reattached by screwing them to the bench base through earlier made drill holes.