Easy Vintage Chair Update

I love a good furniture makeover so a few weeks ago when I stumbled upon a fantastic set of side chairs at an estate sale— I knew I’d found a true hidden gem. Despite the upholstery being in impeccable condition and relatively new, the overall style felt a bit outdated. However, I held a secret card up my sleeve—a discovery that marked these chairs as prime candidates for my easy vintage chair update.

Before

The hidden charm I’m referring to lies beneath the skirt, which ironically is also the detail that gives these charming chairs a dated appearance. When inspecting vintage chairs, I’ve made it a habit to look underneath, revealing the potential treasures concealed beneath. While an exposed swivel base might not be the most visually appealing, unveiling a set of elegant tapered legs can work wonders, injecting beauty and swiftly infusing a modern touch to a chair.

See what I mean? Now let’s show off these sexy legs and give these chairs a whole new look.

Revealing those elegant legs is a straightforward process—simply remove the skirt. All it takes is a screwdriver or upholstery tool to loosen the initial staples, and the rest will follow suit with a gentle pull at the fabric. In case any stubborn staples linger, a pair of needle-nosed pliers will make quick work of twisting them out

I ran my steam iron over the area where the skirt was removed to help close any holes left behind by staples and release any creases.

Once you have the skirt off you can inspect the finish on the legs, if you see any scratches or wear. If needed a quick scuff sanding and a touch of the stain will have them looking as good as new.

After

This easy vintage chair update not only breathes new life into the furniture but also provides a unique and personalized twist to each piece. It’s amazing how a small change like showcasing tapered legs can make a significant difference in updating and revitalizing vintage furniture.

And it’s Daisy approved!

Looking for instant gratification and don’t have time to shop vintage? Check out some of these retail options. (affiliate links)