Fixing a flat office chair cushion is easier than you may think. In this article, I’ll guide you through the steps required to revive or replace your office chair cushion to ensure long-lasting comfort.
Office chairs are great, but if you’re sitting on them for long periods, you will find that sooner or later, the cushion starts to flatten, which can lead to discomfort and the possibility of hemorrhoids.
To avoid this discomfort, you can revive or replace your existing chair cushion through a set of simple steps.
First, remove the seat from the office chair, then separate the material and foam from the backing. Give life to your existing foam or replace it with a new layer, and piece your chair back together.
As you continue reading this article, I will guide you through each of the above steps in detail, along with tips to simplify the process and increase the comfort of your chair. Additionally, we’ll explore the best range of foams for your office chair, along with tips to protect your chair in the future.
Table of Contents
Before You Begin: Are you going to revive your foam or replace it?
Check your foam for signs of disintegration. Using the back of your thumbnail, push the foam down ¼ inch and run your thumb along with it gently. If pieces of foam break off or the pressure leaves permanent indentations, it’s advisable to replace the foam.
However, if the foam is quick to regain its shape after being pressed and no visible pieces are missing, you may be able to reuse the existing foam by a simple process of reviving it.
What You’ll Need
- Foam (optional available at most craft/fabric stores)
- Batting (optional)
- Staple gun and staples
- Flathead screwdriver
- Pliers
- Allen key
How To Fix A Flat Chair Cushion – Step By Step Guide
Read more:
1. Remove the seat from the chair.
The majority of office chairs will allow you to remove the seat without disassembling the entire chair.
Turn the chair upside down.
Remove all screws and bolts that are holding the seat to the chair.
Lift the seat away from the chair.
Tips
- Place any small pieces you remove into a ziplock bag.
- If you’re struggling to disassemble the chair, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Separate the fabric and foam from the backing.
Once you have removed the seat, you should see staples attaching the material to the base.
Remove all of the staples and separate the material and foam from the backing.
Tips
- Use a flathead screwdriver to pry each staple away from the base.
- Use pliers to remove the staples once loosened.
3. Measure and cut the foam OR Revive your flattened foam (see tips below)
Place the wooden base onto your new piece of foam and use it as a template to draw out the dimensions for your seat.
Cut the foam to shape. Don’t worry too much about messy sides as they will be covered with material.
Tips
- To cover the edge of the wood, add half an inch of foam to every side.
- However, if your seat has a plastic casing, you may need the foam to be flush to snap it back in.
- Optional: add a layer of batting to increase the comfort level of your chair.
4. Piece the chair seat back together.
Layer with the base, then foam, optional batting, and material to cover.
Wrap the material around to encase all components and stretch the material sides to the bottom of the base.
Flip the base upside down and staple the material into place.
Tips
- You can use spray glue or fabric glue to hold the foam to the base.
5. Reassemble the chair.
Reassemble the chair by placing the seat back onto the frame and screwing it into place.
How Do You Revive Flattened Foam?
The simplest method to revive flattened foam is to use a steamer. By gently applying the steamer to one section of your foam at a time, you will see that it begins to swell.
Repeat this process across the entire piece of foam to revive your seat.
What Is The Best Foam For Office Chairs?
There are two main types of foam used for office chairs: molded foam or block cut foam.
In essence, it comes down to cost vs. quality, depending on the purpose of your chair.
Molded foam
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Durable and resilient | Expensive |
| Optimum for ergonomic support due to its consistent shaping | |
| Less waste during production making it more environmentally friendly |
Block cut foam
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Cheaper alternative to molded foam | Less durable |
| Offers less support and possesses inconsistent shaping | |
| Less environmentally friendly due to the waste produced when shaping |
Conclusion
Replacing your office chair cushion can be a simple process if you follow the steps outlined above. To extend the life of your chair, engage in maintenance every three to six months.
Clean your chair, avoiding harsh chemicals. A vacuum cleaner is a great tool to remove dust and dirt particles without damaging the seat covering material. And regularly tighten the screws and bolts, along with cleaning and oiling the wheels for smooth usage.
By looking after your office chair and carrying out a little maintenance work, you can extend its life, avoid waste, and provide your body with optimum comfort.
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