How to Upholster Bar Stools

Draw a line with pencil at the point to be painted. Use a ruler to measure up from the bottom of each leg to get an even height around the stool. If the legs are not straight, use the rungs as a reference point to mark a line parallel to the ground.

Use painters tape to mask off the area that won't be painted. Place the tape carefully around each side, making sure the edge of the tape is parallel to the ground. Add plastic wrap to the legs and rungs to avoid any splatter from the spray paint.

Use a piece of sand paper to roughen the wood that will be painted. This will help the paint adhere to the surface.

Hold the can of spray paint approximately 10 inches from the stool and spray a light layer to the surface. Allow the first layer to dry before adding another layer of paint. Continue this process until the paint completely covers the wood.

Place the stool upside down on a piece of foam. Trace around the stool to mark the cushion seat.

Cut along the line and pull the extra foam away from the seat at each cut. It is okay if the edges of the foam are rough.

Place hot glue on the bottom of the foam cushion and attach it to the stool. Hold it down firmly until the foam is secure.

Turn the stool upside down and wrap one or two layers of batting around the stool. Use a staple gun to attach one point of the batting to the underside edge of the seat, securing it to the stool.

Pull the batting taught around the stool and add another staple directly across from the first staple. Continue to wrap and staple the batting tightly around the stool until you have four equally spaced staples. If the seat of the stool is square, place one staple on each side of the stool.

Continue to attach the batting until it is fully secured to the stool.

Cut off the excess batting close to the staple line.

Place a piece of plain liner fabric on top of the batting layer. Staple it just past the row of staples that secure the batting layer.

Continue to staple the fabric to the stool. Pull the fabric tightly and evenly around the batting as each staple is secured.

Place the final fabric on top of the seat. Turn the stool upside down and staple it just past the last row of staples.

Pull the fabric tight at each new staple and continue around the stool until the fabric is entirely secured.

Trim off the excess fabric close to the staples. Use pinking shears or a hot glue gun to keep the edges of the fabric from fraying.