September 11, 2025 • Updated February 25, 2026

Reupholster a Settee and Create a Stunning Custom Look

The uniqueness of antique furniture can inspire the idea of giving it a second, reupholstered life. Whether you receive something passed down from a relative, or luck out on a find at a thrift store —when you have that inkling to revive it, listen. Reupholstering furniture can be a great weekend project, and the feeling of accomplishment is unmatched. Spoonflower Maker Wendy Conklin of Chair Whimsy shows us how she’s giving a settee a second life. Wendy: Settees make great conversation pieces around the home. You can often find small ones that can be tucked into corners, placed along a feature wall, put at the end of a bed or used at a dining table for extra seating. If you’re a beginner, starting with a small one will be much easier for you to learn.

Two images seperated by a diagonal white line illustrating the before and after of a reupholstered settee.

A green settee chair with floral fabric sits in the middle of a dining room with other upholstered chairs, a checked floor and pink fridge.

What is a settee?

A settee is a small, cushioned chair — similar to a sofa — that sits on wooden legs and accommodates, usually, two people. Settees were popular through the 18th and 19th centuries. Today, you may see settees in powder rooms, sitting rooms and other decorative areas.

Why should I reupholster a settee?

A settee is a beautifully designed piece of furniture. With the right tender love and creativity, reupholstering one can be fun and provide an opportunity to bring your space together. If you want to get into upholstering, a small furniture piece like a settee is a good start.

How to reupholster a settee:

Let’s start with the materials you’ll need to reupholster a settee.

Pliers, a staple lifter, mallet, scissors and electri stapler rest on a floral background

Needle nose pliers
Staple lifter
Mallet
Scissors
Staple gun and a small compressor (you can use a manual stapler, but a staple gun and compressor make the job much easier on your hands)

Cotton, jute webbing, burlap, medium density foam lay gathered on a surface.

6 yards of Cypress Cotton Canvas — I’m using Smells Like Spring Watercolor Floral by ninola-design
1 yard of cotton
1 yard of jute webbing
1 yard of burlap
1 yard of 1″ medium-density foam
1 yard of 2″ medium-density foam
Dust cover
1 roll of butcher paper or 1 poster board to make templates for the settee’s foam pieces and Dacron batting.
(Optional) paint and paintbrush to paint the frame of your settee

Tacks, a tack hammer, gimp, ribbon, pompom trim and double welt cord and a hot glue gun rest on a floral background.

Decorative trim

Choose one of the following to cover your staple line:

Decorative tacks and a tack hammer
Gimp, ribbon, pompom trim or double welt cord and a hot glue gun

Supply Notes:

**Selecting the right trim: **Decorative tacks require a tack hammer and are a lot more time-consuming. Gimp, ribbon, pompom trim or double welt cord require a glue gun and glue sticks and are much easier to apply.
**Fabric estimates: **Your chair may be slightly different than mine. To ensure you order enough supplies, see this post about upholstering to help estimate the amount of fabric you’ll need for your project.

Part 1. Strip the furniture down to the frame

Old furniture is often very telling of its age, so removing materials all the way down to the frame is always best.

Wendy hammering a staple remover into a chair with a mallet to remove the tack.

Step 1. Use your mallet and staple lifter to remove the staples and tacks

Remove the fabric and all the insides by taking out the staples or tacks. Use your staple lifter and mallet. Position one tooth of the staple lifter under the tack or staple.

A close up of the staple remover near where tacks and staples were.

Step 2. Once your staple lifter is under the staple, pull up as you hammer

Use your mallet to hammer the end of the staple lifter until you’ve lodged the staple lifter underneath the staple. Pull up as you hammer.

Step 3. Remove the staple or tack with your pliers

Continue until you have a clean frame. It takes a little time and effort, but think of it like pulling weeds. It’s mindless work and you’ll be glad you did it once it’s complete.

Optional Part 2. Paint your settee’s frame

If you’re satisfied with your settee’s original color, continue to Part 3.

A settee chair stripeed down to the wooden frame on a checkered floor with other upholstered furniture behind it.

A green painted settee chair on a saddleback with folded floral fabric under it.

Since I’m using this Spoonflower floral fabric, I chose green so that the fabric would pop against the paint color. If you want to paint your furniture, now is the time to do it. My mantra is “The fabric always drives the paint color.”

Part 3. How to reupholster the top of a settee chair

This is the part where you’ll be adding several layers onto the wood base to make it comfortable to sit on. First jute webbing, then burlap, then cotton, then foam, then Dacron. The steps below will walk you through all those layers, with photos too! Start by laying the settee down on a table or set of sawhorses so that you can work over top of it.

A close up of the settee top on a sawhorse with jute webbing stapled to the top. A pair of scissors sit near the edge. A checkered floor is in the background.

Step 4. Staple jute webbing to the settee’s back

Position a couple of pieces of jute webbing strategically to help support the fabric. Staple in place and fold over the end pieces.

A layer of burlap is stapled onto the jute webbing of the sette top. Scissors sit on a decorative part of the chair's top. A checkered floor is in the background.

Step 5. Staple burlap over the webbing

After securing the jute webbing, staple a layer of burlap tightly within the settee’s top. Fold in the edges and staple so that none are hanging over the side.

A paper cut out in the shape of the settee chair rests on the layer of jute webbing and burlap.

Step 6. Make a paper template

Lay paper across the top of your settee. Trace around the top — where we’ve placed the jute webbing and burlap — to make a template. This will help us prepare the right amount of foam for this area.

A piece of foam lays on the settee chair with a traced out shape to be cut and fitted to the chair.

Step 7. Trace and cut out your foam

Use your paper template to trace and cut out a piece of 1” medium-density foam. We’re not adding the foam just yet. It’s easier to trace out the template on the burlap rather than the cotton we’re adding in the next step. After cutting out your foam template, place it to the side. We’re coming back to it in step 9.

A layer of cotton on top of burlap on the frame of a green settee resting on a sawtable, with a checkered floor in the background.

Step 8. Place cotton on your burlap

The next layer we’re adding to our settee top is cotton. This will go on top of the burlap.

A foam cutout on the settee top that lays on a sawhorse. A checkered floor is in the background.

Step 9. Place your foam on top of the cotton

Grab your foam piece and place it on top of your cotton layer.

Excess pieces of Dacron is being cut from a settee where it has been stapled.

Step 10: Layer on and staple Dacron

Place a layer of Dacron on top of your form. Staple your Dacron in place, pushing the cotton and foam down firmly as you go.

A finished look at stapled Dacron on the settees top.

Step 11. Trim excess Dacron

Now that your Dacron (and other insides) are secure, trim off the excess Dacron.

A floral fabric is stapled to the top of a settee. The excess fabric lays off the chair.

Step 12. Position and staple your fabric

Arrange the fabric to get the very best look. I always take my time with this step because it matters the most. Once you’ve decided on your ideal placement, staple the fabric tightly into place. Use scissors to cut away the excess fabric.

Part 4. How to reupholster the back

This side is going to go a little quicker than the front but will still be as beautiful and secure!

The back of the settee chair facing up exposing the back jute webbing and burlap.

Step 13. Have the back facing up

Now that we’re working on the back of your settee, turn it so the backside is facing up. Make sure you’re working in a space where it can lay flat.

Burlap stapled to the back of the top of a settee.

Step 14. Attach burlap to the back side

Staple a layer of burlap tightly to the back. Fold back and staple the edges to keep things neat.

Dacron stapled to the back of the top of a settee chair.

Step 15. Add a layer of Dacron

Cover the back with a layer of Dacron and staple it into place.

Floral fabric is stapled to the back of her settee top.

Step 16. Position and secure your fabric

Position the fabric how you want it on the back and staple it into place. Cut off the excess fabric outside of the staple line.

Part 5. How to reupholster the seat

These steps are going to look similar to reupholstering the top of the chair, so you’ve got this!

Strips of jute webbing stapled vertically across the settee seat's frame.

Step 17. Attach the vertical strips of jute webbing

Measure and cut strips of jute webbing that reach from the front to the back of the seat. Individually place each strip on the seat and staple one end. Pull tightly before stapling the other end. Fold back the edges and staple those down.

Horizontal strips of jute webbing weaved throught the vertical strips of jute webbing stapled to the chair's seat.

Step 18. Weave horizontal strips of jute webbing

Measure and cut strips of jute webbing that reach from the left to the right of the settee. Staple one end of these strips to the left side of the seat. Weave the horizontal strips through the vertical strips. Pull tightly on each strip as you staple them down on the right side, and fold back the edges. Now we have a solid base for our seat!

Burlap stapled over the just webbing of the settee' seat.

Step 19. Secure a layer of burlap

Place a layer of burlap across the seat and staple. Next, fold back and staple the edges.

Paper placed on the settee chair's seat indicating a template for the foam covering.

Step 20. Make a seat template using paper

Just like we made a template for the settee’s top, we’re going to do that for the seat. Lay your paper across the seat and make a template. Be sure to mark where the back supporting legs are. Trace your paper template onto the 2” medium-dense foam and cut it out. (Some people like to use an electric knife for this.) Set the foam to the side. We’ll come back to it after the next step.

A thick layer of cotton rests on the settee chair's seating area.

Step 21. Layer cotton on top of your burlap

Pile the cotton evenly across the seat on top of your stapled burlap. Lay a nice, thick layer to make the seat more comfortable.

A piece of pink foam rests on top of the cotton layer on the settee's seating space.

Step 22. Place the foam on your seat

Grab your 2” foam cutout and place it on top of the cotton.

A piece of Dacron is stapled to the seat of a settee. The excess Dacron hangs from the edges.

Stapled Dacron on the seat of a settee.

Step 23. Secure Dacron onto layers

Cover your settee layers with Dacron and staple it into place. Cut off the excess Dacron.

Floral fabric rests on the seat of a settee.

Step 24. Position the seat fabric

Now for the most important part — attaching the fabric. We’re going to take our time on this step, starting with positioning. Lay your fabric on top of your seat and position it to get your desired look.

A close up of the settee seat with temporary staples along the front. Teal circles are around the staples to indicate their location.

Step 25. Attach temporary staples in the front

To keep things still as we work around the seat, place a few temporary staples to hold the fabric in front.

A cut piece of fabric lays design sides facing, at the edge of one of the settee's back legs.The fabric has a V cut.

A close up of the back leg of the settee with fabric around it. The fabric is cut in a V shape with one piece pointing upward. The other piece is hanging from the edge of the leg.

Step 26. Arrange fabric around the back sides

With the design sides facing, make a V cut at the back of each side. Fold the fabric around the wood and tuck the V into a pocket so it can’t be seen.

A close up of the staples along the back edge of the settee.

Step 27. Staple fabric around the back sides

Staple the back sides and fold the end edges underneath to get a straight line.

A close up of staples along the front edge of the settee.

Step 28. Staple from the center to the edges

Undo your temporary staples in front, we’re going to replace them with actual staples. Pull the fabric tightly and staple starting at the center and working your way to each edge. Stop before getting to the edge and leave it open.

A close up of staples along the edge and front corner of the settee.

Step 29. Staple the sides

Staple the sides and come around to the front, pulling the fabric tightly. Place a couple of staples to hold it into place. We’re about to fold this corner over.

Wendy folds a corner of fabric on the set before stapling it down.

Step 30. Fold the edges over

Go back to the front and fold the corner. Staple it into place so that you have a nice, folded edge. Trim off the excess fabric.

Part 6: Apply finished details

Time to add those final details to complete your reupholstered settee!

The bottom of the settee is facing up where a black dust cloth is stapled to the bottom.

Step 31. Protect the bottom with a dust cover

Flip your settee over so that the bottom is facing up. Cover the bottom with dust cover fabric. Fold the edges under and staple to get a nice line around the bottom.

Tacks, a tack hammer, gimp, ribbon, pompom trim and double welt cord and a hot glue gun rest on a floral background.

Step 32. Choose which decorating trim to cover staple lines

Let’s cover those hard-working staples with something more attractive. Decide what trim you want to use to cover over the staple line.

ChairWhimsy_Spoonflower_ReupholsterSettee_CloseUpTrim1

Step 33. Attach trim to staple lines

Glue (or hammer) the trim over the staple line on the seat, top and backside. Tuck the edges under and glue down so you have a nice finish.

ChairWhimsy_Spoonflower_ReupholsterSettee_CloseUpTrim2

A look at the finished settee propped up on the sawhorse.

You’ll be surprised at where you can fit a small settee and the personality it will bring to a space. Don’t forget to share your creation with your world and ours by tagging @spoonflower on your social media!

ChairWhimsy_Spoonflower_ReupholsterSettee_Lifestyle4

ChairWhimsy_Spoonflower_ReupholsterSettee_Lifestyle3

ChairWhimsy_Spoonflower_ReupholsterSettee_Lifestyle2

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I reupholster furniture?

Reupholstering furniture gives it a second life instead of disposing of it for something new. Reupholstering a piece of furniture allows you to make it more personable to your style and space.

Is it hard to reupholster a settee?

Reupholstering a small piece of furniture like a settee is a great project for people new to reupholstery. Dedicate this activity to a day you have unlimited time so you can give your settee the attention it needs for the perfect finish.

What fabric should I use to upholster a settee?

Cypress Cotton Canvas is easy to work with and has a thick, upholstery-grade basketweave texture. It’s the ideal fabric for furniture rehabbers, interior designers and hobby sewists.

See the Tips

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