What to do when you don’t want to paint your dining room chairs, but you don’t love them as is:
There is a lot of talk about painted furniture around this place. I truly love it.
But every once and a while there is furniture you’re hesitant to change so dramatically. I always have to laugh when purists get downright upset when you put paint to wood. On occasion you will take a verbal beating on some websites if you showcase a piece of painted furniture! People are serious about the situation. I usually say to each his own and you can always strip furniture back down to the wood, right? Lately though the purist in me has been rearing it’s head and I’ve found myself wondering what to do for a change when you don’t want to paint your furniture?
I really like our dining room furniture, but I am a little tired of all the wood. It’s just to much. BUT…I don’t feel strongly enough to commit to painting it. So I decided to come up with an alternative solution!
Easy little chair covers completely change the look in a heartbeat.
There are a few reasons I am loving this change up.
First: They are easy to make. Simply measure the width of your chair and decide on the length. Cut two pieces of fabric. Be sure to make the cover wide enough that it easily slips on and off, not to tight. Turn right sides together and sew, much like making a pillow case. Turn right side out and iron your seams for a professional looking finish. This idea is universal. If your chair has a curved back try laying the chair down and trace it as a pattern.
Second: They are fun to change up for holidays or seasons. You can add a variety of trims, finishes or monograms to make them unique. 
Using fabric glue I secured this little stretch of sparkle for added glam to the chair cover.
Third: When most people add fabric to a chair they go for the cushion/seat area. I have done this multiple times, but it is always hard to find a perfect fit for your chair. The shape is off, if they don’t tie on they slip. Even if they do tie on they slip. Grubby hands seem to use them as a napkin at my house. They quickly become an eye sore. With a back cover they stay put and my children don’t even know they are there! WIN!
Fourth: I don’t have to paint my furniture to get a whole new look! When I grow tired of this look it will be easy to move on to the next.
So if you find yourself in a similar situation of wanting a non-permanent change to your dining or breakfast room table try this out and let me know what you think.
The dining room is coming along…just a few more little projects. If you’d like to see the progress, check out the painting and damask antique mirror makeovers! Do you have other ideas on how NOT to paint furniture? I’d love to hear them!
Great idea! The back covers look perfect on your chairs and with your room.
thank you! I think they add a soft touch!
I’ve been in this same dilemma. I love my table but occasionally think I need a change. You have given us the best solution. I am new to your site, glad I came across your blog.
I’m so glad you came here too 🙂 Hope you can use this idea at your home, looking forward to having you around!
Brilliant…..love this.
Thanks Toni – I love an easy change!
I love these. They are elegant, love the little beaded trim. Awesome! You always have the coolest ideas! Thank you for brightening our homes and lives Kim. God bless you.
I was sure I wasn’t going to like it-whatever it was, but that it the best little idea for a chair I have ever seen. I am not fond of those whole cover things but your chairs vest is perfect.
lol…Isn’t it the little things that make the biggest difference! Glad you like it!
What a great idea! Dresses them up a bit too. Love this! (Of course, your selection of fabric and sparkle was perfect!)
Thank you, so glad you like it!!
I love those!!
Thanks Stacey
Very sweet idea! I love the fabric and embellishment you used.
Thank you. I thought the beads were so sweet
Could I ask what type of material did you use.
You can use any type just about! I have used burlap, suit material, decorator fabric and cotton. I shop ALL the aisles at the fabric store and look more for pattern and color that fabric! Hope that helps.
I love them! I have been looking at my table and chairs and hutch, and thinking brown has taken over my dining room! The hutch is an antique, so that is a no to paint zone, but and the table and chairs were fair game, until I saw this. Thank you!
I know, that’s a big project to undertake, these little covers are MUCH easier!
Very pretty and I like the simplicity! Softens the all wood look.
thanks, I love that I can change them out so easily!
I had to smile! Your chair toppers resemble the peekaboo shoulder less tops so popular right now! I guess it’s a case of home Art mimicking fashion! lol!
that cracks me up, they totally look like that!
Such a great way to have a change and you could make different ones for each season. Thank you so much for not painting that beautiful table .
yes – seasonal change in a minute!
Great idea!!
Thanks Jackie!
So creative… and classy! Less truly is more in this case. Thanks for sharing inspiration for an easy DIY that yields a dramatic change and can be readily adapted to multiple styles and seasons. You are gifted.
Thank you for you the nice words, they are easy and fun and yes, super adaptable so I love them!
Love love love these little chair toppers, Kim!! I’ll be doing this for certain very soon! Thanks so much for all of your great ideas!
You are so clever! Love everything about this idea! Thank you.
I love the simplicity and style of this! I have similar wood table and chairs, and dark colonial blue painted corner hutch and small side buffet. I would value your or anyone’s, actually, thoughts on my “mixed” decor. My decor is “getting a look I like at an affordable price” at the time I find or want it!
I am a big fan of mix and match decor – I believe you should surround yourself with what you like, what speaks to you and your style. Don’t let anyone feel you should look a certain way and if your decor is working with you then own it! If you want to make some simple changes, paint is a miracle worker and can bring things together though!!! Hope this helps 🙂
Do you have a tutorial on how to make the covers please?
I don’t exactly, basical trace the size and shape of your chair on paper and use it as a pattern. Turn the fabric wrong side out, good sides together and sew up like a pillow case!
How did you finish the edges on the two top corners that you cut out? Seems like you would have to finish those in some way to avoid raw edges. They are lovely! A great way to use fabric to break up the dark wood!!
yes – you need to fold the edges and run a stitch to finish them before you place the two pieces together and sew them together!