When I had been doing custom upholstery for designers and clients, I used to add a tiny complimentary service. Instead of leaving the furniture with its original harsh metal glides, plastic glides or people drippy, sticky felt pads, I would replace them with glossy leather upholstery glides.

We have all experienced that horrible feeling when you notice that big scratch on a brand new timber, tile or slate flooring after you hardly move a new seat. These leather glides hold up much better than the ones that usually come with furniture. There’s a leather shop in my town that sells wonderful, high heeled scraps, but you could also find small pieces of leather on the internet or in craft stores.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Protecting timber, slate, tile or walnut can be a struggle.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Metal glides like these — which come standard on most furniture — can chew a timber flooring. If you’ve got the stuff and 15 minutes to spare, you can protect your flooring from your furniture.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

Materials and resources:
Scrap leatherContact cementScissorsPenFlat-head screwdriver (for eliminating metal or plastic glides)

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

1. Use the screwdriver to pry off any metallic or plastic glides in the bottoms of your arms. Gooey felt ones should peel right off.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

2. Cut out a piece of leather to use for your glide. Be sure you cut it larger than the magnitude of this leg bottom.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

3. Place your cut piece of leather under the leg and then trace the leg outline onto it.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

4. Put a dab of contact cement onto the bottom of the furniture leg.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

5. Put a dab of contact cement onto the tough side of the leather (there should be a smooth side and a tough side). Press the leather onto the leg and hold it in place until it’s stuck.

Upholstery Club’s Shelly Leer

6. Using a pair of sharp scissors, come in near and snip off all the surplus leather. Repeat on all the furniture legs.

More: 29 Home Projects to Make You a DIY Superstar

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