Expert: Jamie Yocono - 3/26/2007

Question
Hi.  I have two 1968 era wingback chairs with cabriole legs and I'd like to change the leg style as well as make them taller.  They will also be reupholstered.  Can this be done?  Do you know of any sources for wooden chair legs?  Thanks!

Answer
Hi Barbara,

I have a few suggestions and some websites for you. First- I think that what you want to do- raise the height of your seat by using taller legs- is quite possible. The only problem might be finding legs in the exact length that you want. Most legs are manufactured at industry standard lengths, and the ones you might find could possibly be the same height as what you currently have.

So my suggestions start with this- when the upholsterer takes the chair apart, he or she is going to remove the top fabric, as well as all the under padding and everything down to the bare springs. If you want to increase the height of this chair slightly, you might ask about installing more padding to the chair, to make the seat top higher. Obviously, there are many types of upholstery, but if it's simply a matter of using 3" foam rather than 1 inch, that might be an easy solution.

Also- on the bottom of the legs, you might consider installing adjustable levelers. Even at their lowest height, levelers can add a minimum of a half inch. These are usually installed into a T-nut that's installed in the bottom of the leg. The T-nut is a threaded insert, and will allow you to raise the height by unscrewing the leveler. Most levelers that I install give me about an inch of adjustability.

Remember- there are industry standards for everything from furniture to architecture. Most chair seats are 18" off the floor for a reason. That measurement "fits" with everything else, from ottomans to tables, and so on.

Finally, these sites sell chair legs:

http://www.tablelegs.com (Probably your best bet to find what you're looking for.)

www.adamswoodproducts.com (Their catalog is better than their website, so you might want to request one.)

These sites are fairly helpful, too, and probably more user friendly:

www.vandykes.com
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=10124&filter=chair%20legs (Ouch! Expensive legs!)
www.constantines.com (do a search for chair legs and you'll see a decent selection)
www.vandykes.com

OK, good luck, I hope this helps. Please feel free to write back if you have any further questions after reading this. And if this answer was helpful... please take a minute and rate my service. Thanks!

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
Las Vegas, NV
www.wooditis.com