IKEA can be a great place to pick up something basic on the cheap and then semi-customize it to turn it into something special. You don't have much money on the line so there aren't high stakes if the customization doesn't turn out perfectly. And some of their pieces have good "bones" that are just waiting for some individuality. Check out these examples:
- Eddie Ross reupholsters an IKEA sofa
- Sweater Chair via Danny Seo
- The Tullsta chair via The Bargain Life
- An upholstered IKEA bed from Manhattan Nest
- A reupholstered IKEA office chair via Re-Nest
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I can see recovering a seat, but it seems uneconomical to reupholster a low quality piece of furniture like a sofa or Tullsta chair. Wouldn't it be better to buy a vintage piece with a sturdy frame?
I painted and upholstered the seats on my Ikea kitchen chairs. It's a good beginner's project idea, cause you won't feel bad if you ruin it. If you paint though - LOTS of primer is needed.
The first link goes to the last picture, not the Danny Seo project...
@ngnerd: I have that sofa model in the first picture. The build quality is fine, but the fabric is awful (wears quickly, holds lint and cat hair). But I bought it because it's a sofabed, and I needed one for guests - and that model is less than half the price of any other sofabed I've seen. So when I get my act together I absolutely will find it worthwhile to recover.
Sadly the antique sofabed market is limited. :)
That office chair is really fun...what a great idea to reupholster one! They tend to be so drab out of the box.
I would have a hard time paying for reupholstery on a cheap piece of furniture. If I could do it myself I would. If not, I would rather invest in a new more comfortabe piece.
Wherever it comes from, if you love these DIY projects, just do it.
I love the sweater dining chairs! Better than sweater patchwork couch pillows because you can use wool without worring about it being itchy against bare skin. (Unless of course, you wear a lot of micro-mini skirts. Or don't wear pants at all. Then you should probably stick with terrycloth or vinyl.)
I agree with Uwe Preul's comment. Now if I could find a codependent man who likes to do these sort of things...
ladykatey..lol, thanks for the laugh.
Two days ago, I finished a new cover for my sister's "Harry" chairs from Ikea. I really love how it turned out; her chairs were blah with spots, now they are crazy (think very bright red, pink, and greens). I didn't spent more than 10 euros on fabric for each chair, and it'll probably last no more than 8 years, but I'm so happy to see how much she loves it !
So, I'm totally onboard, if you can't get any vintage to fit your needs.
Pascal's right, that's Dan from Manhattan Nest's bed pictured, not what you referenced.
I have a horribly visually offensive office chair that is the only thing I find half comfortable. I can see re-upholstering because I've spent a small fortune on chairs that don't work. But I wouldn't start with cheap and ugly.
We have a love/hate relationship with our Manstad sofabed as well. Thank you for the posting and we'll add this to our summer project list.