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White Slipcovers for Pure Practicality
With a washing machine and bleach on your side, white slipcovers for couches and chairs keep your furniture looking pristine
I am a Brooklyn-based writer, who writes about all sorts of DIY ventures like cooking, crafts and decorating. When I'm not on assignment, I can be found dreaming up projects for my home, which I chronicle in my blog The Little House in the City (thelittlehouseinthecityblog.com).
I am a Brooklyn-based writer, who writes about all sorts of DIY ventures... More »
Many people would regard a white couch as an impractical choice, and if it is an upholstered model, they'd be right: The poor snow-hued sofa will likely look dingy before its time. However, if that sofa has a slipcover in a machine-washable fabric, it might be the most practical choice of all.
That's right, a white sofa can be easy to maintain.
Fans of white slipcovers know that white is secretly easy to keep pristine. As Shabby Chic founder Rachel Ashwell once told Victoria magazine, "White denim is great when your children are young, and as they get older you can change to white linen. White is always good, as it can be bleached." That's right, the not-so-secret weapon is bleach.
Whether you purchase a piece of furniture with a white slipcover or you add one to an older piece, a white slipcover is a classic look that spans many decorating styles. Slipcovers aren't just for the sofa either: Dining room chairs, headboards and other upholstered pieces can also benefit from a slipcover. Here are 12 rooms to inspire you to give white slipcovers a try.
That's right, a white sofa can be easy to maintain.
Fans of white slipcovers know that white is secretly easy to keep pristine. As Shabby Chic founder Rachel Ashwell once told Victoria magazine, "White denim is great when your children are young, and as they get older you can change to white linen. White is always good, as it can be bleached." That's right, the not-so-secret weapon is bleach.
Whether you purchase a piece of furniture with a white slipcover or you add one to an older piece, a white slipcover is a classic look that spans many decorating styles. Slipcovers aren't just for the sofa either: Dining room chairs, headboards and other upholstered pieces can also benefit from a slipcover. Here are 12 rooms to inspire you to give white slipcovers a try.
by Dreamy Whites
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Would you guess that this living room belongs to a mother of five who lives on a horse ranch? Maria of the blog Dreamy Whites has figured out that white is a practical choice for homes with kids.
by Amoroso Design
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This living room by Amoroso Design showcases two styles of slipcovers: The sofa and easy chair have covers that touch the floor, concealing the pieces' legs. Meanwhile, the armchair beside the fireplace is outfitted in a short cover that shows off its slender legs.
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by Olga Adler
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| White is even a good choice for an indoor-outdoor space like this sunroom by Olga Adler — just be sure to make family members remove muddy shoes. |
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If you worry that white will look too stark, take a cue from Marcelo Brito Design, who jazzed up a pair of chairs with white slipcovers using matching patterned throws. The look is casual yet coordinated.
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by Tamar Schechner
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| A white sofa doesn't have to mean a lack of color. This vibrant room by Tamar Shechner proves that a collection of colorful throw pillows can make even the snowiest sofa look festive. See the rest of this home |
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| If you opt for white-covered pieces, you can still warm things up in winter. This living room by Bosworth Hoedemaker shows how a few cozy textiles can give ivory-hued pieces a warm, autumnal look. |
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by A Beach Cottage
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| White slipcovers are an easy way to give a breezy feel to your dining room in warmer months. This white-on-white space belongs to Sarah of the blog A Beach Cottage. See the rest of this home |
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Love the look of Sarah's beach cottage dining room? Borrow her style with the Henriksdal chair by Ikea with the Blekinge white slipcover option.
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In this country-cute dining room, a set of rounded-back dining chairs have slipcovers with short casings. Short casings are a playful way to change up your dining room without having to change the furniture.
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| While an easy chair in a bedroom is likely to get less wear and tear than one in a family room, white denim is still a smart choice for a child's room. Here an ottoman and a chair are both sheathed in feminine pleated covers. See the rest of this home |
In this elegant bed chamber, a white-covered loveseat sits at the foot of a dramatic bed. When choosing drapes for a canopy-style bed, be sure to choose a machine-washable fabric.
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Headboards are another piece of furniture that can be given the slipcover treatment. In this cute bedroom by Tracery Interiors, each twin bed has a simple headboard with a white slipcover for a casual, crisp finish.
More:
So Your Style Is: Cottage
Your Guide to Stylish Slipcovers
Houzz Tour: Farmhouse Chic in San Francisco
More:
So Your Style Is: Cottage
Your Guide to Stylish Slipcovers
Houzz Tour: Farmhouse Chic in San Francisco
Ideabook published on April 4, 2012.
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Don't use chlorine bleach if your water has high iron content. Combined with iron and hot water, it can yellow fabric. Choose detergent with a bleach alternative and use the maximum amount recommended. Increase the cleaning power of your detergent by adding a laundry booster, such as (20-mule team) borax or (oxy-clean) oxygen bleach to help maintain whiteness.
If you have city water and no water softener, chances are you have semi-hard water.
If you seem to have very few bubbles when you do dishes, it’s because of the iron content. The more soap bubbles, the softer the water.
Particularly hard water may not enable you to get white pristine without installing a water softener to remove minerals.