Easy DIY Update: Replace Your RV's Upholstery
04-25-2018
Author: in RV Repairs / Maintenance / Upgrades
Blah, blah, blah—many of the options for RV upholstery and window treatments are fairly mundane. The year ours was made, there were four options for décor. The year before, the style for our model was very similar. Like many floorplan options, the designs are often beige or off-white to match whatever you intend to include without offending anyone. Regardless, at some point, you may want to personalize your living space. This is why it's a good idea to consider reupholstering your dining chairs or benches, or even your sofa. In fact, with a bit of effort, you can even re-upholster your dash board. Basically, if you can wrap a present, you can probably change the fabric of your furniture.
One of the ways to learn how to re-upholster your seats is to check out the various YouTube videos about the topic. Re-covering any of your pieces—inside or out—can totally update your RV's living space.
Choose the Right Fabric
Of course, the multitude of color and pattern options are exciting, but picking out a fabric that is likely to last and is easy to keep clean helps extend the life of your new upholstery. Consider the following characteristics:
One of the easiest options is to use the existing fabric as the template and then cut your materials to size. Otherwise, you'll need to measure the space. Although this allows you to leave the current fabric on your furniture until you replace it, measuring the furniture is much more difficult than taking the measurements of the fabric. Of course, if you don't want to remove the existing material, you can always just reupholster over it.
Easy Upholstering Without a Singer
Fortunately, there are several ways to re-upholster your furniture without the use of a sewing machine. Using glue, staples, or safety pins helps you get an updated look with little effort.
To make the no-sew cushion cover: pretend the foam is a gift box and wrap it as you would a gift, using fabric instead of wrapping paper.
Use large 2- inch safety pins instead of tape. I got mine at the dollar store.
Fold over the raw edge of the fabric and pin every few inches along this no-sew seam to hold the fabric onto the cushion.
Wrap the corners neatly and pull taut and then pin. The width of my foam was almost the width of the fabric. Normally I would like to have a bit more fabric to pull over the side edges, but this works. No one will see the pins.
Flip it over and then it is ready. I placed it on my freshly stained swing. I wanted this cushion to be easy to take on and off. I didn’t want any ties to deal with, so I made sure the foam fit very snugly, so it stays put when I sit on it and easy to grab to take inside when it suddenly starts to rain.
Once your material is trimmed to fit around the cushion & board, work with a partner - one will pull and one will staple. We started on the ends because we needed to be careful that our pattern wouldn't go wonky-crooked.
Staple in the center and work your way out...Center, right, left of center, right of that right, left of that one to the left of the center...etc. You get it. :)
One of the ways to learn how to re-upholster your seats is to check out the various YouTube videos about the topic. Re-covering any of your pieces—inside or out—can totally update your RV's living space.
Choose the Right Fabric
Of course, the multitude of color and pattern options are exciting, but picking out a fabric that is likely to last and is easy to keep clean helps extend the life of your new upholstery. Consider the following characteristics:
- Is the fabric fire retardant? This is also referred to as flame retardant. Although it is currently required, it didn't used to be. So, it's a good idea to purchase from a contemporary fabric store rather than a flea market or thrift store. Newer materials are chemically treated to slow down flames and minimize the risk of fire.
- Is the material durable? Since you're liable to be sitting on these pieces of furniture, you want the fabric to be sturdy. Although lighter-weight materials may be pretty, they won't hold up as long.
- Is it easy to clean? The more durable the fabric, the easier it is to clean, and the better options are treated to prevent staining. Top choices include commercial-grade fabrics, such as upholstery fabric, which resists moisture and bacteria.
Related Read: 5 Easy DIY Updates for Your RV Kitchen
Use the Original Fabric as a TemplateOne of the easiest options is to use the existing fabric as the template and then cut your materials to size. Otherwise, you'll need to measure the space. Although this allows you to leave the current fabric on your furniture until you replace it, measuring the furniture is much more difficult than taking the measurements of the fabric. Of course, if you don't want to remove the existing material, you can always just reupholster over it.
Easy Upholstering Without a Singer
Fortunately, there are several ways to re-upholster your furniture without the use of a sewing machine. Using glue, staples, or safety pins helps you get an updated look with little effort.
To make the no-sew cushion cover: pretend the foam is a gift box and wrap it as you would a gift, using fabric instead of wrapping paper.
Use large 2- inch safety pins instead of tape. I got mine at the dollar store.
Fold over the raw edge of the fabric and pin every few inches along this no-sew seam to hold the fabric onto the cushion.
Wrap the corners neatly and pull taut and then pin. The width of my foam was almost the width of the fabric. Normally I would like to have a bit more fabric to pull over the side edges, but this works. No one will see the pins.
Flip it over and then it is ready. I placed it on my freshly stained swing. I wanted this cushion to be easy to take on and off. I didn’t want any ties to deal with, so I made sure the foam fit very snugly, so it stays put when I sit on it and easy to grab to take inside when it suddenly starts to rain.
Once your material is trimmed to fit around the cushion & board, work with a partner - one will pull and one will staple. We started on the ends because we needed to be careful that our pattern wouldn't go wonky-crooked.
Staple in the center and work your way out...Center, right, left of center, right of that right, left of that one to the left of the center...etc. You get it. :)
Related Read: Refresh Your RV’s Decor for $20 or Less
Use a hot glue gun, staples, or even safety pins to affix the corners and back. Since much of these areas will be out of sight, whatever method you use to fasten them won't be seen.Comment
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Author: Carrie Todd
