Slipcovers for Sofas

Types of Furniture Slipcovers for Sofas

There are several types of furniture slipcovers for sofas available to suit any budget and need. Ranging from the full on custom made slipcover to the very basic or partial slipcover, prices can vary from under-$100 to the hundreds. Even considering the most extreme cost, slipcovers are still a fiscally viable alternative to purchasing brand new sofas or getting an existing one re-upholstered. Sofas can easily go into the thousands of dollars and not everyone has this kind of budget to spend. Slipcovers are not only economical, they also offer many more benefits than a plain sofa. You never have to worry about stains any longer because cleaning the sofa is just a simple matter of removing a slipcover and tossing it into your washing machine. You can get multiple sets in different colors, textures, and patterns to freshen up your home decor at a moment’s notice. Try swapping sofas or even keeping a spare sofa around, for that matter.

With the many advantages of using sofa slipcovers now evident, the next logical step is to determine the types of furniture slipcover options available for you to use on your sofa. There are four main types and these will fit any budget.

Custom Fit Slipcovers for Sofas

This is the most expensive option, usually starting around $100 and varies depending on the amount of fabric needed and the type of fabric. Custom fit slipcovers give an unprecedented degree of snugness to make the cover look natural on your furniture. These usually require many careful measurements for getting a precise fit but on the upside, placing an order is as simple as an order form submission or phone call. You just need to pass the numbers on to the fabricator. A custom slipcover is still much cheaper than even the cheapest sofa, which might start at several hundreds of dollars. And if your existing sofa is still in great condition, you can make it new again going this route.

Pre-Fit Slipcovers for Sofas

These are the slipcovers commonly found in stores. They usually have a range of sofa dimensions that the slipcover can fit written right on the packaging, so be sure to make a few basic measurements of your couch before you start shopping for these. The pre-fit slipcovers are usually less than $100 but some can cost more. Many fabric options are available. The most common and popular choice is cotton. It’s easily washable and cheap to make. There are more exotic materials like denim, damask, and even faux leather and synthetic suede. These options will easily dress up an older sofa with a new luxurious look. Imagine getting a brand new leather sofa for a fraction of the price! This is the power of a pre-fit slipcover.

Slipcovers for Cushions

If even a slipcover set is too costly an option, you can also buy slipcovers for just the sofa cushions. These include the back pillows and seat cushions. You may not need the full slipcover set which includes a base slipcover and covers for the back and seats, so why pay for what you don’t need? Look for these slipcover cushions to get the same benefits as pre-made slipcovers but only for the necessities.

Slipcovers for Arms

The cheapest slipcovers you can buy simply cover the sofa arms. They are a beautiful way to add a touch of color to an existing couch. Even if you don’t need to protect the arms or your existing sofa’s arms are perfectly fine, you may still want to consider getting arm slipcovers just for the added decorating benefit. Imagine what wonders a beautiful floral print on a while or beige sofa will do for your ambiance. They are so cheap you can buy multiple pairs and still be able to change the look of your sofa as you would with a full slipcover set.

These types of sofa slipcovers each address different needs at different price points. Your sofa, no matter how stained or tattered, can still quickly benefit from slipcovers for sofas. Best of all, you won’t have to spend that much and you have an option for any budget you set.

How to Fit Stretch Slipcovers for Sofas

Instead of throwing away a perfectly good sofa just because it no longer suits your tastes, a popular option nowadays is to look into slipcovers for sofas that are fitted and can instantly spruce up your living space. They are highly durable, give old furniture new life, and are machine washable for care-free maintenance. Despite what you may have heard, sofa slipcovers today are made of great quality at an affordable price. Best of all, the problem of good fit is a thing of the past.

Today’s slipcovers are fitted and stretched to guarantee near-perfect fit on any sofa you decide to cover. The biggest factor in a good stretch fit is in how you cover your sofa. It is always important to start with a smooth flat surface, so if there are any irregularities in your cushions or seats, be sure to fill them with some quilt batting. If your sofa back is made up of two pieces but your slipcover is for one piece, it’s as easy as wrapping the back cushions together with a good double layer of batting. When the back slipcover is put on, the cushions will be held together due to the stretch.

Getting fitted slipcovers for sofas on your sofa is an easy process and most slipcovers that you buy come with simple instructions that you should follow. There are markers to mark the front and back as positioning guides. Make sure the elastic portion is placed on the out of sight sides of the sofa cushions. Any excess fabric can be tucked into your sofa’s natural grooves. Quilt batting is a useful filler and smoother and will be your best friend during this process. This is critical in getting a good stretch fit for loose sofa slipcovers.

Cotton slipcovers for sofas are the most common, but there are many other materials like denim, twill, synthetic suede, chenille, and twill. There are also tons of patterns and color combinations to go with just about any home design theme you can imagine. And of course there is always the custom slipcovers for sofas route which are made to order from fit to swatch. Though the cost is going to be higher with custom made slipcovers, they are a worthwhile option especially if you have an expensive sofa you can’t bear to get rid of or have an unusual shape couch. It will still be cheaper than a brand new sofa which can cost thousands of dollars. Making slipcovers for sofas an option for your decorating needs makes financial sense and there are added benefits that new sofas won’t have.

You will have an even greater fabric selection available to you so you can get exactly the pattern you want with exactly the sofa shape you want. Slipcovers are easy to clean and machine washable. You can even buy a few sets and swap them out as the seasons change for a continual fresh look in your home. Slipcovers for sofas are the simplest hassle-free way to give new life to a tired piece of furniture, with more options and lower costs. Think again before you shop for that new sofa.

Slipcovers for Sofas with Cushions

If your sofa is starting to look a bit faded and old but is still usable, slipcovers for sofas may be a cheap alternative to buying a new sofa or giving it away. First of all, slipcovers cost much less than brand new sofas which start at hundreds of dollars and quickly shoot up to the thousands. Secondly, you’ve got a perfectly usable sofa that just needs a slight touch up and it’s good again. Throwing it out would just be a waste and a hassle. So don’t call the movers in just yet to move that couch onto your driveway, at least not until you’ve explored the options available in slipcovers for sofas.

They are made from a wide selection of materials. The most common is cotton but there are exotic fabrics like chenille, twill, and even suede. Yes, you can turn your old fabric sofa into a sleek leather sofa. Best of all, your guests won’t know what’s hiding underneath is really an old piece of furniture that you nearly threw away. Save yourself the money and energy and go with stretch slipcovers for sofas.

Depending on your sofa, it may be have a single piece back rest in which case you are fine as sofa slipcovers are usually designed as a single cover. However, if your sofa is made up of cushions, then you’ll need to look into slipcovers for sofas with cushions. They are designed specifically for cushion pillow backs but in truth they are not as widely available as the single back sets. You see, most slipcover sets come in three separate pieces: one for the seats, one for the back and one for the base.

If you’re in a situation where you have to settle for a three-piece slipcover, then it’s an easy matter of properly fitting your two or more cushions into the single slipcover, and it’s not as hard as it sounds.

Fitting the Base

As you would normally, remove all cushions including the seat rests and back pillows and use the base slipcover to cover the base of your sofa. If you find the fit is slightly too loose, wrap quilt batting around the arms or wherever it does not fit snugly to bolster the padding and fill the slipcover.

Fitting the Cushions

Once this is done it’s time to move on to the seat cushions. Place them together and use more of the quilt batting and wrap the entire piece and throw in a second layer if it doesn’t fit. If necessary, you can also add a foam cushion between them for more spacing and a better stretch. Do the same steps for the back cushions and don’t worry about using them all if they won’t fit. Simply fill the void areas with more foam padding between the remaining cushions and use batting to smooth out the surface. A smooth surface is the key to getting a snug fit and natural look.

If you can’t find the right slipcovers for sofas with cushions in the right design you like or if they are simply not available, a standard slipcover set will do just fine. You could also opt for custom made slipcovers for sofas which can come with an added price tag but will be a guaranteed fit and less work for you to fit. As you can see, slipcovers are great for all sofas, even the ones with cushions. Using the tips presented here along with the slipcover instructions you will be able to turn an aging sofa into a relevant furniture piece and even make it the center of your next conversation!