Dining Chair Transformation – Exeter University

What We Did

Project Overview

Exeter University approached South West Upholstery with a large-scale refurbishment project: 800 dining chairs in need of attention. The existing seats were worn and uncomfortable, and the university wanted a fresh, durable, and cohesive solution that would stand up to daily use by students and staff, while minimising disruption to this busy dining and event space.

Our Solution

The project focused on reupholstering existing dining chair bases, which included:

• Creating a pattern template from a single seat board, allowing us to manufacture all new seat pads offsite.
• Replacing foam and boards to restore comfort and structure.
• Upholstering each seat in Chieftain faux leather, chosen for its hardwearing, easy-to-clean properties, perfect for a high-traffic environment.
• Using three complementary colours, Greyfriars, Battleship, and Gunmetal Grey to add subtle variation while maintaining a professional, cohesive look.

The Process

• Template Creation – Only one seat board was sent to our Bristol HQ, where we used it to create a precise pattern.
• Offsite Production – All 800 new seat pads were cut, foamed, and upholstered offsite, allowing the University to keep using the chairs throughout the production period.
• Delivery & Swap – Once completed, the new pads were delivered to the University and swapped over with the old boards, ensuring minimal disruption to this important dining and event space.

The Result

The finished seats transformed the dining area, offering improved comfort, durability, and a refreshed modern look. By approaching the project in a way that avoided taking all chairs out of service, Exeter University could continue using its facilities without interruption.

Project Highlight

This case study is a great example of smart project planning in action. By creating patterns and producing replacement pads offsite, we minimised disruption, extended the life of the chairs, and supported Exeter University’s sustainability goals, all while delivering a cost-effective, high-quality result.