Instantly update your dining chairs

Bring some colour into your dining room with this simple DIY project

Firstly, if your chair has an upholstered seat, turn it upside down to remove it and put this to one side. Next, deal with any wobbly frames by tightening screws and mending any loose joints with wood glue. Rub over old wood with fine sandpaper to remove flaking paint or varnish and provide a smooth base for painting. Use

a brush dipped in chalk paint to coat the wood, leave to dry, add a second layer and then leave to dry. Apply clear wax and, once dry, buff with a soft cloth. For a new seat cover, place the seat pad face down on top of a piece of fabric (also face down). Wrap the material over and use a staple gun to secure along one side. Pull

fabric taut and secure on the opposite side. Continue on the remaining two sides, folding neat pleats at the corners. Carefully trim any excess material with scissors then fit the seat back into the frame. For extra detail on a plain fabric seat, mask off a portion of the fabric and paint this with a contrasting chalk paint.