Reupholster the easy way

Cheat-reupholster simple items, such as wooden-armed chairs, footstools or pouffes, using stretchy fabric and a staple gun. "Be inventive about sourcing fabrics," says Furniture Designer Zoe Murphy." Vintage jumpers or woollen or knitted blankets can be fabulous. Knitted fabrics in particular are very easy to work with as they will stretch easily around a piece."

Top tip: Before you start, boil wash wool fabric to felt it, which makes it more hard-wearing, says Zoe. Lay a piece of wadding over the seat to smooth the shape, and cover with a piece of fire-retardant fabric before stretching over your chosen textile. After stapling in place, you can tack another piece of fabric underneath to hide the stapled edges.

Get the look: Visit charity shops to source inexpensive, good-quality cable-stitch jumpers. Buy a Stanley Sharpshooter Heavy Duty staple gun, from £22.58, at B&Q.

Chosen by Housetohome

Photograph by Jon Day