A swivel chair can be a great addition to any office space. They are more comfortable and offer better ergonomics for long hours of sitting.
However, if you don’t have the budget for a new chair or want something different than your current stationary one, then you should try turning it into a swivel! This is an easy how-to guide that will show you how to turn your old stationary desk chair into a swivel.
Steps on Turning a Stationary Chair Into a Swivel
Step 1. The first thing you’ll need is a Phillips head screwdriver.
Step 2. Next, remove the seat from your chair by unscrewing all screws on the back of it with your screwdriver and set them aside for later use. You can also just detach the fabric if no screws are holding it in place – this will take a little more time.
Step 3. Next, locate the bolts around the perimeter of your chair and unscrew them with a Phillips head screwdriver as well. You should be left with just four big bolts that attach to two metal plates on either side of the base – this is what will keep us from taking apart our chair at any point in its life.
Step 4. With your hands, bend the metal plates so they’re flat against either side of the base and screw them back in with a Phillips head screwdriver until you can’t use it anymore. Now flip over the chair to make sure that those bolts are screwed tightly into place!
Step 5. Next on our list is fabric – we’re going to need two pieces of fabric that are four by five yards.
Step 6. Lay the first one down on your floor and drape it over the backside of the chair, leaving a few inches hanging off either side – we’ll be trimming those later. Take care not to pull too tightly or you won’t have enough room for adjustments.
Step 7. Lay the second piece of fabric over the front side of the chair. Now take one end and thread it through those loops on either side – you’ll need to find a way to secure them at both ends, like how we did with our leather straps earlier.
Step 8. Once you’re sewed, flip over your chair so that it’s facing the way you need it to be. Put your feet on either side of the chair and use them as leverage to push down hard, which should help pull those loops together.
Step 9. Finally, get out a ruler or measuring tape so that you can cut off any extra fabric hanging from the edges.
How to Replace Swivel Chair Base Replacement
Step 1. Unscrew the seat from the bottom of the chair.
Step 2. Pull off any staples that are holding it to the wood frame underneath, and then remove all screws or nails for you to take out both pieces separately.
Step 3. Use a saw blade (a jigsaw would work best) to cut an “X” shape into the wood frame.
Step 4. Place one piece of the chair over top and secure it with nails, screws or staples to keep it in place.
Step 5. Start by connecting two opposite corners with a screwdriver before inserting any other pieces. This will prevent you from having to turn your body around for you to connect the chair’s pieces.
Step 6. Secure all corners with screws, nails or staples and then place an extra screw at each connection point to make sure it is secure.
Step 7. Make any adjustments as needed before securing them in their final positions. Place a new rubber seat onto your old frame for comfort!
How to Convert Swivel Recliner Chairs
Step 1. Take the screws out of a swivel chair’s arms. They are typically located in each corner and can be unscrewed with a screwdriver, or by using an Allen key if there is one provided by the manufacturer on your specific model. Remove all pieces that make up the armrests so they don’t interfere with how the chair is going to be converted.
Step 2. Put a straight wooden dowel in one of the armrests, this will serve as the new swivel point for your chair.
Step 3. Screw or nail it into place on each side so that you can turn around freely while seated.
Step 4. Replace all screws and nails with new ones to make sure the furniture is sturdy.
Step 5. Place a piece of plastic in between the seat and backrest so that it doesn’t scratch up your floors or table.
How to Replace Wood Swivel Chair Base
Step 1. To replace a wood swivel chair base, you’ll want to measure how far the screw holes are apart. Then drill a matching size pilot hole in your new seat and attach it with screws or bolts. And finally, use paint or stain for protection from water damage.
Step 2. Drill corresponding size pilot holes into the replacement wood swivel chair base.
Step 3. Attach the new seat using screws or bolts and paint or stain for protection from water damage.