Chair Costume
Become the comfiest seat in the room with this hilarious look.
The chair costume is a classic novelty look that is guaranteed to get laughs at any Halloween party or office event. Popularized by viral prank videos and creative office contests, this outfit transforms you into a fully upholstered armchair. The look consists of a wearable foam-and-fabric chair frame supported by hidden shoulder straps, with your legs serving as the front legs of the chair.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~120 min
- Budget
- $30–80
Try it on
See yourself as Chair
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
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What you need for a Chair costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Chair costume — one box instead of 6 pieces.
Large cardboard box
A heavy-duty cardboard box large enough to fit around your torso to serve as the structural frame of the chair.
DIY: Recycle an appliance box from a local appliance or grocery store.
Upholstery foam sheets
One-inch thick green or white polyurethane foam sheets to pad the armrests and backrest.
DIY: Use old foam mattress toppers or thick polyester batting.
Red or brown fabric
Four to five yards of velvet, corduroy, or vinyl fabric to wrap and cover the chair frame.
DIY: Use an old solid-colored bedsheet, blanket, or tablecloth.
Heavy-duty shoulder straps
Adjustable nylon webbing straps to secure inside the box so the costume hangs comfortably from your shoulders.
DIY: Repurpose straps from an old backpack or duffel bag.
Brown or black leggings
Form-fitting dark pants or leggings to make your legs look like wooden chair legs.
DIY: Use any solid dark brown or black sweatpants you already own.
Throw pillow
A small, contrasting decorative throw pillow to attach to the front or wear as a prop.
DIY: Stuff a small pillowcase with fiberfill or fabric scraps.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Chair costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Cut the bottom out of the large cardboard box, and cut a torso-sized hole in the top panel so you can stand inside it.
- 2
Use extra cardboard pieces and hot glue to build up the armrests on the sides and a high backrest panel on the rear of the box.
- 3
Glue upholstery foam sheets over the armrests and backrest to give the chair a plush, rounded, and realistic shape.
- 4
Wrap your chosen fabric tightly over the foam and cardboard panels, securing it on the inside of the box with heavy-duty duct tape or hot glue.
- 5
Bolt or securely tape the shoulder straps to the inside of the box frame, adjusting them so the seat level rests around your waist.
- 6
Put on your dark brown or black leggings to represent the chair's legs, step into the box, and slip the straps over your shoulders.
- 7
Tuck a small decorative throw pillow onto the front lap area or carry it to complete the living room aesthetic.
Makeup & hair
Keep your hair simple, or wear a funny accessory like a small lamp shade or a throw pillow secured to a headband. No specific makeup is required, but a deadpan, expressionless face helps you blend in like real furniture.
Chair for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with someone dressed as a television remote control, a floor lamp, or a couch potato.
- group
- Create a full living room set with friends dressing as a sofa, a television, a coffee table, and a houseplant.
- kids
- Scale down the cardboard box size to fit a child, using lightweight foam and felt to keep the costume easy to carry.
- Plus size
- Use a wider utility box for the frame and lengthen the internal shoulder straps to ensure a comfortable, roomy fit.
- pet
- Dress a small dog as a tiny footstool or ottoman using a lightweight fabric cover with foam legs.
Tips
- Keep the costume lightweight by using foam and cardboard rather than heavy wood or plywood.
- Make sure the leg opening is wide enough so you can take normal steps and walk safely up stairs.
- Wear comfortable, supportive shoes since your legs will be fully visible beneath the chair frame.
- Add a cup holder insert into one of the armrests to hold your drink during parties.
Chair costume FAQ
- How do you sit down in a chair costume?
- Because the costume is bulky and made of rigid cardboard, sitting down in a standard chair can be difficult. It is best to stand, or design the shoulder straps so you can easily slip out of the costume when you need to sit.
- What is the best fabric to use for a DIY chair costume?
- Velvet, velour, or corduroy work best because they have a distinct texture that immediately reads as upholstery fabric under party lights.
- Can I make a wheelchair version of this costume?
- Yes! A wheelchair is a fantastic base for a chair costume. You can build cardboard panels around the wheelchair to turn it into a royal throne, the Lincoln Memorial, or a classic armchair.
Did you know? Wearable furniture costumes gained massive viral popularity online through office party contests and public prank videos where actors pretended to be inanimate lobby chairs before suddenly moving.