Stunning Personalized Map Chairs
One of my favorite ways to transform an old piece of furniture and to give it meaning is to use old maps of special places. You can see my most popular map upcycle my IKEA map table here).
Here I transformed some plain wooden chairs I acquired from my local scout hut. They are like the ones you used to have in school. I've made them into something special by covering them in maps that mean something to us as a family.
These unique chairs have become talking point piece of furniture in our dining room.
All you need is an old chair, some maps, scissors and PVA glue (or Mod Podge glue) and varnish.
You can use any maps you like, from roadmaps to big maps from an atlas. You can download lots of free vintage maps here.
Firstly lightly sand your chair to provide a key. If you can easily remove the seat and back do so.
Once you have decided on what maps you are going to use. You cut these to the size of your chair back and seat.
Using PVA (Mod Podge) glue you stick the maps to the seat and back.
Once the maps are dry, then cover them with a layer of waterproof PVA or acrylic varnish to provide a protective layer. Once this is dry screw the seat & back onto the chair.
I love these map chairs, they are also extra special, as I made them with maps that have great sentimental meaning. The one above is made with a Hong Kong street map, I was born and brought up in Hong Kong.
These are the other 2, I made. One has a map of Norway on it as that is where my Husbands family are from. The other is a vintage London tube map (Cavallini), I was living in London when I met my husband.
What maps would you use for your chairs?
Enjoyed the project?
Suggested materials:
- Old wooden chair
- Mod Podge
- Maps or Map Gift wrap
- Acrylic varnish
Comments
Join the conversation
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Fran on Jul 13, 2021
They look lovely, I’m thinking of doing a small circular table, but not sure if I’ll use Kent , where we live , or special holiday destinations … now I keep looking around the house to see what else I can “map” out!
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Claire at Pillarboxblue on Jul 13, 2021
I think a table would look lovely, I have made a couple of map tables myself before. One with a map of the world and another with a map of Hong Kong. With the Hong Kong map I show you how you can print a map of anywhere in the world for free.
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Rene on Sep 24, 2022
Have plenty of maps. North Carolina Tennessee and Kentucky. Now I need the chairs.
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Claire at Pillarboxblue on Sep 25, 2022
I’m sure they would look lovely!
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Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
What did you do on the backside of the back ?