Guest Picks: Freshen Your Furniture With Slipcovers
Make a clean break with fussy, unwashable fabrics. These slipcovered furniture pieces let you keep things spotless with little effort
If you have children or pets, like to change the look of your interiors often or enjoy eating on the sofa, you might want to consider adding slipcovered furniture to your home. Done in machine-washable fabric, they're a snap to clean and can be changed out easily.
Here are some things you should keep in mind when slipcovering furniture:
After having slipcovers, it's hard to go back! — Mary Ann from classic•casual•home
Here are some things you should keep in mind when slipcovering furniture:
- Decide whether your furniture piece is worth slipcovering, as getting slipcovers made often costs as much as reupholstering a piece.
- Check on Houzz for slipcovering professionals and their reviews or check fabric stores like Calico Corners.
- Wash the slipcover fabric before fabrication. Try washing a swatch first. The fabricator may charge $1 to $2 per yard to wash the fabric for you, which may be worth it if you have large quantities.
- Purchase at least 10 percent more fabric to account for shrinkage or to have throw pillows made (or to back expensive designer fabric pillows).
- Look for white, off-white, taupe or oatmeal fabric on sale or at a discount outlet. I use 100-percent linen, cotton/linen blends, cotton basket weaves or cotton twill fabrics.
- Generally stick with solid fabrics so that you can change your look with pillows and other accents. Also, white is good for cleaning with mild bleach and stain removers.
- Consider slipcovers for dining chairs or bar stools (where food and drink stains are prevalent) — they're not only for the sofa.
After having slipcovers, it's hard to go back! — Mary Ann from classic•casual•home
I have custom-made white slipcovers on my sofas. They are great because I can throw them in the washing machine after being lounged on by teenagers and the family dog.
Bayside 3-Seat Sofa
I have recommended this sofa (both in the love seat and full sofa versions) to clients with great results. The slipcovers are machine washable.
Classic Belgian Slope Arm Slipcovered Chair
This chair has a nice slope on its more modern arm. It's shown in Belgian linen but comes in lots of other solid fabrics.
Noir Abacus Relax Chair, Distressed Black
This chair is similar to mine. You can have the seat and back cushion covers made in the fabric of your choice.
Contemporary Armchairs
The ivory, sand and gray pattern on this club chair is subtle and serene. The slipcover is machine washable, too.
Doma Counter Stool, Weathered Oak/Ecru Linen
These bar stools from Halo Styles come with removable covers. They are a cinch to wash when food gets on them.
Here you can see how I use slipcovers on all my dining chairs.
By removing some slipcovers and switching the lumbar pillows, I can easily change the look of the room.
Parson's Armchair Slipcover, Indochine Ikat Denim
Ballard Designs has lots of fabrics from which to choose. I like the modern design of this armchair.
Contemporary Dining Chairs And Benches
With this linen/cotton seat and personalized back cover, you can change the look of your dining chairs in an elegant snap.
'Westcreek' Corseted Dining Chairs
These Westcreek dining chairs have hardwood frames with cotton/linen slipcovers. Notice the tie-back detail.
PB Basic Sofa Slipcover
These slipcovers have a looser, more casual look but will retain their smooth fit.
Bennett Slipcovered Sofa
This sofa is one of Ethan Allen's bestsellers. There are 17 cotton and cotton-blend fabrics, including solids and ticking stripes, from which to choose.
Dominique 89-Inch Slipcovered Sofa
Different sizes of this streamlined sofa are available in natural denim and 100-percent cotton. It has a good updated look.
Ektorp Love Seat, Svanby Gray
I have this slipcovered sofa from Ikea in my mountain condo. It's holding up well.
Oatmeal Linen Swatch for Custom Ikea Slipcover
Knesting can make an oatmeal linen slipcover for an Ikea sofa or chair, and they have other fabrics too. This can make your Ikea furniture feel more custom.
Next: White Slipcovers for Pure Practicality
Next: White Slipcovers for Pure Practicality