The Easy Guide to Upholstery

The key to successful DIY upholstery is to pick a piece with a simple shape and a fabric that has a sturdy weave and a forgiving texture, and that is easy to match. Beyond that, if you can cut out a pattern, sew a straight seam, and wield a staple gun (and we know you can), you're well on your way to a speedy recovery of just about anything you choose.

Our three easy projects will turn you into a pro upholsterer in no time. Start with a tailored tufted wall (easiest), move on to a knockout upholstered headboard (still easy), then culminate your skills with an elegant slipper chair (will be easy with our step-by-step guide).

A padded wall feels cozy in a bedroom, keeps the room warmer, and muffles sound. We used an electric staple gun to attach quilt batting to the wall and then stretched 54-inch-wide fabric panels over it, stapling at the edge of each panel.

We cut the headboard from plywood, then padded it with foam. A tight-fitting slipcover is stapled to the bottom of the frame. Piping (also called welting) accentuates the shape of the headboard and adds extra strength to seams.