Piano Bench in a Pinch

One of my favorite hobbies is playing piano; it is something I have been doing since I was 6 years old. I have the standard "padded" piano bench that came with my piano when I bought it was few years ago. Basically it is a boring black vinyl seat, and the "padded" part is really just a joke to tease you into sitting down too fast and busting your bum on the solid wood under the tiny layer of what I am convinced is quilt batting. The piano is in my office space which I mostly have decorated in pretty blues/teals with some pink accents.

So I decided that it needed a refresh! This isn't a full "quality re-upholstery" job, I left all the original pleather and padding and was careful not to damage them in case at some point I want to go back to the "standard look." 

Supplies

• Piano bench
  
• 1" foam (from the fabric store)
  
• Upholstery fabric
  
• Staple Gun
  
• Sharpie Marker or similar
  

• Staples (3/4" is fine)
  
• Phillips Head Screw Driver
  
• Flat Head Screw Driver
  
• Pliers
  

Steps

1. Remove screws securing padded portion to bench (save these)
   
2. Pry padded portion off of bench frame (this took some work on mine as there was also glue)
   
3. Lay the old padded portion over the new foam and on the foam draw around the bench
   
4. Cut foam to appropriate size and bevel edges slightly
   
5. Lay fabric, print side down, on the floor, then center the foam and set the original padded piece on top of it so the wood is showing
   
6. Starting in the center, stretch and staple the fabric over the bench until you have a look you like, taking care to tuck the corners 
   
7. When the fabric is secured and stretched how you want it, screw the updated piece back onto the bench frame and admire your work!