I choose to work from my sofa instead of a desk. It's comfier, sure. But the real reason I haven't set up a proper home office space? I can't find a good-looking desk chair that fits my more-pauper-than-prince budget. But after glancing at these inexpensive & ugly desk chair makeovers, I'm armed with inspiration for turning a clunker into a stunner.
We've rounded up a bunch of DIY ugly desk chair makeovers from around the web. Some changed a little, some changed a lot. But they each have some inspiration to offer you if you're struggling with your efficient-but-unsightly gray roller.
If you're curious about how any of these stellar makeovers pictured above was done, hit the links below from around the web:
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TOP ROW:
- Office Chair Makeover Tutorial from To Be Charmed
- Office Chair Makeover from Songbird is Nesting
- Reupholstered Craft Room Chair from Remodelaholic
- Before & After: Energy House Desk and Chair from Tobi Fairley
- Nicey Jane Chair Makeover from Greenleaf Goods
- Another Desk Chair Makeover from Sincerely
- Desk Chair Makeover from Chez Nous
- Makeover Monday: A Desk Chair Facelift from Happy Cake
- Extreme Rattan Chair Makeover from Pretty Handy Girl
- Simple Chair Makeover from Homebody Holly
BOTTOM ROW:










Shaw's Original Fir...
I should re-do my home office chair. I currently keep it covered with an old bath towel, which is extremely ugly but so comfy. Rather like a lazy-man's slip cover.
I like the painted office chair - it's hard to find an attractive one. My first thought was, Won't the paint chip? But the post indicates it didn't, using spray made for plastic. Since my chair is a cast off from my work office (cost me nothing) and it's hard to imagine it could get uglier, I may give it a try.
Loving #6! We have a couple chairs kind of like that (without the arms) in our shed waiting to be redone, and one armed chair one legs that we painted yellow. All of ours we picked up from the neighbor's trash. You can see the before here and the painted chair here, before we put it in the room.
Nos 4&6 are the only ones that really look better afterwards. 1&2 are horrible...
I love these ideas, but I didn't even have an ugly chair to start with, and we're not as DIY-savvy right now. Plus, I have an odd injury that requires a specific height and a very functional pneumatic chair lift (those tend to wear out as chairs age, so used chairs are a bad choice for me). I was super excited to find this Paisley Pop Airgo Chair from PTteen. Not my usual shopping spot, but I got the blue armless one as its measurements are perfect for my ergo needs and it looks like an adorable Amy Butler/Etsy job!
#3 and 5 look awesome, and fit the "office chair" (as opposed to "dining room chair I brought into my office and call an office chair now") definition. #3 was absolutely awesome, I am in love...
What kind of paint did you use? I am very interested in this kind of makeover.
These chairs all look so good with their makeovers! I hope the day never comes, but if it ever does, I'll make sure my Aeron chair is as pretty as it is comfortable when I give it a makeover!