If your furniture is in good condition, but in need of a little updating, then consider slipcovers. Once upon a time, the sole purpose of slipcovers was to protect the upholstery fabric of precious furniture. Today however, slipcovers are an easy way to make a new statement within a room. Whether you purchase one off the department store shelf, or have one custom made, slipcovers can be a beautiful addition to your home’s decor.
Ready Made vs. Custom Fit
These are the two types of slipcovers you have to choose from. Before you can decide if a slipcover is right for your furniture, you should know more about them. Let’s take a closer look at each type.
In a nutshell, ready-made covers are a “one size fits all†design, which really have no defined shape. The fabric covers the entire piece, leaving you with excess that needs to be adjusted (i.e. tucked in) in order to fit. Corkscrew pins are also available to help make the slipcover fit better.
Custom fit slipcovers will cost more, but if you want it to look as though it was made for your furniture, then this is the way to go. Rather than having excess fabric from one large cover, you’ll have sections that can be removed individually. Another great thing about custom fit covers is that you’ll be able to get the exact look you want because you get to pick fabrics, colors and patterns personally.
Best Fabric Choices
Choosing a slipcover is basically the same process you’d use if you were buying a new piece of furniture entirely. Some key things to consider would be:
- Where the furniture will be located
- How it will be used
- Ease to clean
- Its purpose (protection, design, or both)
Cotton, polyester or blends are durable and easy to clean, making them wise choices for slipcovers. Other fabrics that work well are twill, denim and faux silks. If the piece you are covering will be in a high traffic area, be sure to take color and pattern into consideration as well.
What Can Be Slipcovered?
Practically anything, really. Even though recliners have too many moving parts, they have been known to get custom fit covers. Sofas tend to be the most popular pieces to cover, but other furniture that can benefit from them are loveseats, chairs, ottomans, footstools, headboards, and even lampshades.
Whatever your motivation is for updating something in your home, consider a slipcover. They are a wonderful option for giving an update without having to replace good pieces throughout your home.
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