How to Make a Cardboard Chair That Holds Weight & Looks Chic
In today’s DIY project, we are going to make a cardboard chair. Not only does this cardboard chair hold weight, but the design also looks chic and modern. It’s easy and cheap to make, and only requires a few materials (including a lot of cardboard!).
You can apply this technique while making any piece of furniture or home decor. In fact, you may have seen my DIY cardboard couch that I created using the same method. Follow along with this step-by-step tutorial, as I show you how to make a chair out of cardboard.
Best heavy duty glue!
Tools and materials:
- Cardboard
- Marker
- Measuring tape
- Electric scissors
- Glue
- Roller
- Masking tape
- Spray glue
- Foam
- Fabric
This is the chair I am using as inspiration for my project.
1. Measure & draw parallel lines
Cut out a piece of cardboard approximately 20 x 30 inches. Down the shorter sides, measure intervals of 2 inches, then connect them together with lines, as shown. This will be the base for our chair.
2. Cut out L shapes
Next, take another piece of cardboard of the same size, and measure approximately 7.5 inches inward, then draw a line.
On the opposite end, measure 14 inches up.
On the line you just drew, measure 12 inches up.
Connect these marks together.
Cut the smallest piece out using electric scissors to create an L shape.
Trace and repeat until you have 33 L shapes.
3. Glue 3 pieces together
Next, we’re going to glue the pieces together, grouping them into 3s. Apply glue to one side of the cardboard and spread the glue out evenly.
Then, stick one piece of cardboard to another. Repeat so that 3 layers are stuck together.
Add tape to the edges for extra stability.
Repeat until all the cardboard pieces are stuck together in groups of 3.
4. Glue the connecting pieces to the base
Apply hot glue along the lines of the base piece.
Then, stick the L-shaped pieces to the base with connecting pieces between them. The connecting pieces should be approx. 2 x 20 inches for the back and 2 x 12-14 inches for the seat.
This is what you should have so far.
5. Make the seat, back, and front
Place a new sheet of cardboard where the seat will go, Measure the size you need with a marker and cut it out.
Apply hot glue along the top edges of the connecting pieces, then stick the seat down.
Repeat the same for the back of the seat…
…and for the front. Add tape where needed.
6. Cover the cardboard chair with foam
Spray the cardboard chair with spray glue.
Then, drape the foam over the top.
Fold the foam around the sides and glue it in place.
7. Upholster
Cover your cardboard chair with your chosen fabric, and neatly fold the edges in.
Hot glue the edges in place.
Glue the hanging bottom pieces to the base of the chair, too.
Cardboard chair
Here’s the finished cardboard chair!
It goes great with my decor, including my pool noodle couch.
For those wondering, yes, a cardboard chair really can take a lot of weight!
What do you think of this DIY cardboard chair design? Let me know your thoughts and feedback about this project in the comment below.
Resources for this project:
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Comments
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I am trying to remember, I don't seem to get their email anymore, but it was a newsletter specifically for re and up cycled items. Come to think of it, I haven't seen it in some time, but I will keep an eye out for it.
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I love your ingenuity, very inspiring. I made a “garden stool” from 10x10x3 cardboard boxes I rescued from a life of trash and discard… I stacked 7 of them and taped them together using packing tape. Inside each box were foam inserts for shipping small gifts items sold at the store I found these boxes at. I am in process of wrapping this with natural jute rope. I’m deciding on a pattern to give interest to the piece. Since this would be ruined using it on my patio, I’ll be using this as a accent piece indoors with a plant on top and/or as a small table for company adding an additional place to set their beverage. The only thing I purchased was the rope for approximately $15.00.
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Wow, what a great idea!
Frequently asked questions
Have a question about this project?
Why not put foam padding down before the batting?
What kind of glue gun are you using?
Where do you get all of your cardboard