How to Upholster Walls

Staple it

Much like upholstering a chair seat, this method uses staples to adhere fabric to the wall. This is the easiest approach for covering drywall. If you have plastered walls, you’ll need to attach lath strips to the wall first, so you can staple into the softer wood. For an extra plush look, cover your wall with batting before adding the fabric.

What you’ll need:

• Fabric
• Staple gun (electric is best) and lots of long staples
• Bias tape or other trim
• Glue gun and glue sticks
• Utility knife
• At least one pair of extra hands

Here’s how!

Step #1 – Prepare your fabric

• Determine square yardage you’ll need (add 5% just to be safe)
• Iron seams from fabric
• Get help (for entire walls, you’ll need at least one other person – two is even better)

Step #2 – Attach the fabric

• Start at top corner & work horizontally, pulling fabric taut and stapling every 2″
• Keep staples in a straight line, so it’s easier to conceal them later
• After the top, move to center of wall and work out, stapling just above baseboard
• Follow the same procedure up & down corners and around windows & doors
• When the entire wall is finished, trim excess with utility knife

Step #3 – Add your trim

• Use bias tape, cording, welting or coordinating fabric to cover your staples
• Adhere trim with glue gun, making sure you keep a nice straight line

Tags: bedrooms, chair, curtain, drape, fabric, fabrics, muslin, paint, rooms, stylish, tulle, upholstered, wainscoting, wallpaper