Best Sofa Slipcovers
Buy the best best sofa slipcovers selected and recommended by interior designers. By Caroline Patterson.
Is your favorite sofa looking a little dated or old? Well, no need to buy a new one because with quality sofa slipcovers, you can give your furniture an updated new look without having to spend a lot of money. Sofa slipcovers are designed in many different styles to meet the construction and shapes of a wide variety of sofas. These covers will also add another durable layer of protection to your sofa. They will slow down the sofa’s aging process and protect it from everyday stains as well. Although the covers come in many different sizes, it’s always advisable to pick something that fits perfectly with your specific sofa.
Best Sofa Slipcovers
Buying Guide
Caroline Patterson
Interior Design Expert
Caroline is a young, New York-based interior designer and home decor writer, obsessed with textiles and designer furniture. Backed with rigorous training from a prestigious design school, as well as a profound understanding of material quality and fabric care, she offers spot-on advice on how to furnish your place with reliable, functional, and aesthetically pleasing pieces.
Do you have kids jumping all over your couch? Or pets that would stop at nothing until they claw and deposit a lot of fur on your couch? All you can hear at this point is your couch screaming loud for help. Now, you're thinking about changing your couch, but the cost doesn't fit your budget.
Well, your answer is sofa slipcovers (they are durable, cost-effective, protective, great with kids and pet). But, they could be tricky to implement as their practicality often trumps style. The only exception is that it looks as good as it functions.
In this article, you'll learn about how to choose the best slipcovers and implement them correctly.
There're six significant types of sofa slipcovers based on features you'll find on the market:
Pet-friendly
If your pet is giving your sofa a tough time, the pet-friendly slipcovers will come to its rescue. They are quite sturdy. Plus, they protect from the smell, claws, and fur of your pets.
These slipcovers are usually machine washable - so you don't have to get them professionally cleaned when the fur piles.
Custom-made
Custom-made slipcovers are quite easy to deal with as long as you know two things: your sofa dimensions and the fabric you want.
Once that's settled, it would look perfect. And there won't be any issues like fabric sagging or a distorted look. But it's an expensive option.
Skirted
Do you want a very romantic, breezy, airy, and light look in your home? If yes, then the skirted slipcovers will deliver that reality. When you use them, they cover the floor. So, underneath your furniture can pass for storage space.
No doubt, this option may make your sofa look bulky and heavy if you're not careful. It's always safer to choose a light fabric with neutral colors.
Form-fitting
A form-fitting slipcover always looks natural in the home. And it saves you the stress of tucking the excess fabric into your furniture. These slipcovers fit snugly over your piece of furniture because the fabric is stretchy.
Slipcover Grip
It looks appealing and more professional to have a strapless slipcover going on. But, it gets frustrating when it shifts as people sit. In this case, you need a slipcover grip to hold it in place. It's ideal for homes that have a lot of adults and children that use the sofa often.
We have three types of slipcover designs:
Furniture Throw
The furniture throw doesn't offer protection down the sides and the back of your furniture. But, it's still a great way of protecting your furniture from damage. It's quite easy to put on and take off. It's great for senior citizens since it's easy to handle.
One-piece
If you want a modern look, the one-piece will do the job. It's easy and fast to wear on as it comes in one piece. The only snag is that if there's any spill or stain, you'd have to remove the whole slipcover for cleaning.
Two-piece
The two-piece slipcover is a fantastic option if you want a tighter and more natural-looking fit.
If you have a traditional sofa or armchair, it's quite easy to get a slipcover that will fit. But, if you have a couch with a curvier arm like the Belgian or English roll, it's tougher to find slipcovers that will fit perfectly.
In this case, you can go for several pieces or one-piece slipcovers. The several pieces offer a more seamless look while the one-piece is easier to remove for washing and provides a broader variety of sofa sizes.
Of course, the key to the perfect fit is measuring your furniture.
For you to find the right size of the slipcover, it's vital to measure your sofa. Here're steps to measure your sofa accurately for slipcovers with a tape rule:
Measure the length of your couch from the outside of one arm to the outside of the other arm. This part is the most extended length of the slipcover. The sofa length ranges for four, three, two, and one-seater slipcovers are 235-300cm, 195-230cm, 145-185cm, and 90-140cm, respectively.
Measure the seat cushions (below the sofa arms). One tip here is to measure the widest point to get a better fit.
Measure the width of the sofa by placing your tape rule at the front outside edge of one sofa arm. Then, extend your tape rule to the back corner and continue to the backside of the sofa. Finish up your measurement at the front outer edge of the other sofa arm. For accurate results, ensure that you bend your tape rule.
To get the cushion height, measure from the floor to the top of the seat cushion.
You can measure the full height of the sofa from the floor to the top back edge of the couch.
Here are four slipcover fabrics you can pick:
Linen
This material always looks great, fresh, and neutral. It also comes with a charm: it wrinkles more than other fabrics.
Pros
- It's durable
- Available in different colors, patterns, and weaves
- It's non-allergenic
- Has natural resistance to moth
Cons
- Requires professional cleaning
- It can soil if not sprayed with a stain-resistant product
- Wrinkles easily
Polyester
Polyester slipcovers are cost-effective options that offer easy cleaning, resistance to fading, excellent strength, abrasion, and wrinkling.
Pros
- Cost-effective
- Durable
- Anti-wrinkling
- High abrasion resistance
- Easy care
- Resistance to fading
Cons
- Not environmentally friendly
- Poor resistance to grease
Velvet
Velvet is a woven fabric that stands out for its vibrant color, comfort, and texture. But, it's most suitable during winter because it provides heat and a creamy feel that'll keep you warm.
Pros
- Has a rich color
- Comes in sophisticated styles
- Good insulation
- Ultra-soft and luxurious
Cons
- It's expensive
- Difficult to clean
Microfiber
Microfiber is an excellent choice if you have pets and young kids. This thick fabric is stain-resistant and easy to clean.
Pros
- Comfortable
- Quite easy to clean
- Durable
Cons
- Poor resistance to sunlight
- A light color can fade
The slipcover comes in different materials like cotton, linen, velvet, polyester, suede, spandex, etc. Your choice of fabric should be subject to the frequency usage of your sofa.
If you want to hide stains, you should go for dark-colored slipcovers or one with one pattern that can hide stains easily.
Durable slipcovers like canvas and heavy cotton are perfect for sofas that encounter heavy traffic.
The micro-suede, spandex, or polyester blend are ideal if you want a more form-fitting cover.
Silk, linen, and wool give your sofa an elegant and luxurious feel. But, this option requires dry cleaning.
Faux-suede or corduroy is ideal if you want a slipcover that provides the most options in terms of texture and looks.
Now, you can go ahead and give your furniture the makeover it requires with the perfect sofa slipcovers that suit your home.