Recliners are one of the most preferred types of seating arrangements around the world. Their popularity is attributed to the high level of comfort that they provide, all thanks to the comfy padding!
Generally, the padding used in the stuffing of your favorite recliner is designed in such a manner to rebound every time after you use it. However, with prolonged usage, the padding will lose this ability. This indicates the necessity to add padding to regain the texture.
With frequent usage, you will notice that the padding begins to wear off gradually. It will cause a decline in the softness and the firmness of the recliner. Hence, you will have to restuff with extra padding to make the recliner more comfortable.
Step-by-Step Instructions to Add Padding to a Recliner
Unlike the general notion that you have to hire professional services to add padding to your recliner, you can do it yourself! You will require the following tools to commence the process of restuffing your recliner with extra padding.
Required Tools
Stuffings
The stuffing for the recliner is the main component that you will require to refill your recliner. The best option under this category is cotton padding. It is known for its resilience and the best comfort compared to other materials used for padding.
Pliers / Screwdrivers
Large industrial stapler pins are used to hold the fabric of the recliner together after filling it with the padding. Therefore, you will require needle pliers or flathead screwdrivers to extract the older pins and remove the flattened stuffing.
Power Stapler
A power stapler, also known as the industrial stapler, is the equipment that you should use to hold together the seams of the recliner once you are done adding the extra padding to enhance the look and add more comfort.
Hot Glue Gun
A hot glue gun will aid you in closing the seams thoroughly after stapling. It will leave the recliner with a finished and even appearance.
Steps to Restuff the Recliner
Step 1: Opening the Older Seams
First, use the plier or the screwdriver to pry open the older staples on your recliner. Ensure that there is no damage to the outer leather fabric of the recliner. If the top layer gets damaged, you will incur further unnecessary expenses.
Another idea that you can implement is taking references from the older structure of the recliner while working with the new padding. It will help you to repeat the procedure step-by-step without any changes or miscalculations.
Step 2: Removing the Existing Padding
The next step in the reupholstery process is to remove the older padding inside the cushion. You should perform this process carefully as protecting the upholstery is of utmost importance.
Staying mindful of this fact and refraining from ripping out the old padding will help you get done with this process in the smoothest manner possible!
Step 3: Marking and Cutting the New Over Panel
Preparing the new over panel is the third step of restuffing your recliner’s cushions. Lay down your older over panel on top of the new one. Mark the outline of the older panel and add some extra inches on all the sides.
Now, cut out the fabric with excess overhang on the sides. This step is vital to ensure that you do not face a shortage of fabric. It will also aid you in handling the fabric easier without any hindrance.
Step 4: Checking the Fabric Requirements According to the Padding
Before you proceed to the following step, make sure to measure the thickness of the new padding that you have purchased. Leather over panels will work great for paddings of 2-inch thickness measurement.
In case your padding is thicker than that, you can opt for readymade covers as they will suit that range of thickness better. Therefore, do not skip this step at any cost!
Step 5: Positioning and Stapling the Fabric
After you finish measuring the thickness of the padding, place it on the back of the recliner and install a temporary tack to hold the fabric in place. This step will enable you to work without any disturbance or misalignments.
Next, tuck the sides of the fabric in place and fold them behind the padding. Staple the fabric over the padding gently. Ensure that no creases are formed before stapling, as it can spoil the overall look of the padding if ignored.
Step 6: Removing Tacks and Gluing the Corners
Once you firmly staple the fabric over the padding, you can remove the tacks you installed earlier as they are no longer necessary. If you feel that the padding requires extra support, you can staple the tacks’ positions.
To increase the firmness of the covering, use a hot glue gun to increase the durability around the edges. It will also aid you in softening the leather considerably and make it stay in place without moving and disrupting the cover.
Step 7: Smoothen the Slack Around Sides
Sometimes, you will notice that there is excess material around the corners that have not been secured tightly. Under these circumstances, you can form small pleats under the padding and secure them with staples to tighten the padding corners thoroughly.
After this step is over, your recliner is good as new and ready for use!
Summing It Up
The steps you have to do are simple and can be quickly completed if you follow the instructions to the T!
You can add extra padding to restuff the recliner and make it more comfortable on your own if you have the necessary tools and materials.
All the methods mentioned in this guide have been tried and tested and work great. Patience and dexterity are the only requirements to make this entire process a breeze! You do not have to rely on anyone else and can finish this task impeccably with the help of this guide.
