How To Use IKEA Curtains To Upholster Furniture Like Queer Eye's Bobby Berk

If you have ever watched an episode of Netflix's "Queer Eye" — and we hope you have! — you've probably been shocked at how much the team accomplishes within a brief one-hour episode. You might think it takes weeks to transform the homes of guest star "heroes," but in reality, the team can usually make their changes within three days. How do they get everything turned around so quickly and nail the perfect big reveal? Sometimes the "Queer Eye" team must devise creative solutions to help their hero transform their life without wasting too much time. For designer Bobby Berk, that means stocking up on furniture and décor essentials before the crew even meets their hero or sees their home. To make these basic pieces fit into the makeover participant's home and lifestyle, Berk makes sure to create something lasting and meaningful. He has even admitted to using curtains from IKEA to reupholster sofa cushions in season six!

"Queer Eye" is a touching show that proves you can do anything when you believe in yourself, but it also helps to know some affordable hacks, tips, and tricks along the way! Here's why IKEA is a go-to store for Berk and how you can use IKEA curtains to reupholster your couch, dining room chairs, and more. 

While the show is completely sponsored by Netflix and its partners, the "Queer Eye" team still works within a limited budget and must act quickly once they arrive at the filming location. For Berk, shopping at IKEA for the majority of the show's home transformation pieces is a no-brainer.  "I think IKEA is great, especially if you're able to make things your own and do the IKEA hacks," Berk told CNBC Make It. "Not only is IKEA great for people who are just starting out who like style but don't have a huge budget, but it's also great to mix and match even if you do have a big budget." 

One way to get really creative with IKEA hacks is to use curtains as material for reupholstering sofas, chairs, cushions, throw pillows, and more. The average cost to professionally reupholster a furniture piece is $715 but can range into the thousands. However, at IKEA, you can get a pair of sturdy velvet SANELA 55 by 98-inch curtains for $70 or woven VILBORG 57 by 98-inch curtains for $55. One panel of SANELA velvet curtains will give you over 5,000 square inches of fabric or over 10,000 square inches if you use both. Compare that to a regular craft store like JOANN, where similar velvet upholstery fabric can cost around $75 per yard at full price.

If you're eager to follow in Bobby Berk's clever footsteps, using IKEA curtains to upgrade furniture you already have can save you hundreds of dollars. Reupholstering may seem daunting, but for this hack, all you'll need is a sharp pair of scissors, a measuring tape, and a hand-held or electric staple gun. First, trim the hems and grommets off your IKEA curtains so you're left with a smooth sheet of fabric. Overall, you'll still be gaining more fabric for the price than you would at a typical craft store. Gently steam or iron the fabric on low heat if needed to smooth out bumps and folds. Next, carefully measure your furniture and cut your fabric, leaving a few inches to spare so there's room for error.

A video shared on TikTok by creator @hopelonginglife shows exactly how to attach the IKEA curtain material to your old sofa. First, they drape their new velvet green fabric around the furniture piece, tucking and pinning it tightly around seams and corners. Next, they flip the sofa on its back and secure the edges of the velvet by stapling it to the wooden sofa frame. Finally, they disguise visible seams with a string of faux upholstery nails.