Your Guide to Stylish Slipcovers
Get the Look You Want With Custom, Semi-Custom and Readymade Slipcovers
Gone are the days where your toss a sheet over a piece of furniture to protect it. Slipcovers can now be made far more stylish and completely custom. And when done right, a slipcover can elevate both the beauty and practicality of your furniture piece.
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| There are several types of slipcovers, from readymade to completely custom and from simply white to bold and stylish. For example, take a look at the bold striped slipcovers in this sunroom, which offers high drama with low commitment.
No matter what type you chose, weigh the pros and cons before making the leap. Being aware of the benefits and drawbacks can help you chose the right slipcover for you. |
There are three types of slipcovers: ready-made, semi-custom, and custom. The pricing can range drastically, with readymade sitting on the low end of the scale.
The custom slipcovers pictured here are nicely tailored and trimmed with custom fabrics, making a custom choice a more pricey option.
The custom slipcovers pictured here are nicely tailored and trimmed with custom fabrics, making a custom choice a more pricey option.
Slipcover pros:
1. Protection. You can use a slipcover to protect a beautiful piece of furniture you want to preserve. Here, a striped slipcover protects a chair in the corner of this casual room.
2. Easy cleaning. Slipcovers can be easily removed for laundering. How many times have you just wished you could throw your sofa in the washing machine?
3. Versatility. You don't have to commit! You can change the look of your space with the change of a slipcover. Many people will purchase two slipcovers in different colors or textures to change out their look with the seasons.
1. Protection. You can use a slipcover to protect a beautiful piece of furniture you want to preserve. Here, a striped slipcover protects a chair in the corner of this casual room.
2. Easy cleaning. Slipcovers can be easily removed for laundering. How many times have you just wished you could throw your sofa in the washing machine?
3. Versatility. You don't have to commit! You can change the look of your space with the change of a slipcover. Many people will purchase two slipcovers in different colors or textures to change out their look with the seasons.
Slipcover cons:
1. Style. While they can create a relaxed, cottage style, readymade, "over-the-counter" slipcovers also can be loose fitting and distract from the lines of your furniture, unlike the well-fitting slipcovers in this image.
2. Fit. Over-the-counter slipcovers are designed for standard furniture sizes and created to fit mass-market furniture pieces. This can lead to a frustrating laundering experience, since it requires quite a bit of work to get on and off and may leave you with a sloppy look.
3. Wrinkling. If the slipcover doesn't fit tightly, you may see quite a bit of wrinkling after use due to the loose fit. The image above is a great example of how a well fitted slipcover can reduce wrinkling.
1. Style. While they can create a relaxed, cottage style, readymade, "over-the-counter" slipcovers also can be loose fitting and distract from the lines of your furniture, unlike the well-fitting slipcovers in this image.
2. Fit. Over-the-counter slipcovers are designed for standard furniture sizes and created to fit mass-market furniture pieces. This can lead to a frustrating laundering experience, since it requires quite a bit of work to get on and off and may leave you with a sloppy look.
3. Wrinkling. If the slipcover doesn't fit tightly, you may see quite a bit of wrinkling after use due to the loose fit. The image above is a great example of how a well fitted slipcover can reduce wrinkling.
1. Readymade slipcovers. Several retailers, such as Pottery Barn and SureFit, offer readymade slipcovers. They are designed for standard size furniture and require tucking and pinning to get a good fit. However, they are also the most cost-efficient and, in most cases, they are machine washable.
Readymade slipcovers are great for applications like a relaxed breakfast area, where the the look is casual and the need for laundering is likely.
Readymade slipcovers are great for applications like a relaxed breakfast area, where the the look is casual and the need for laundering is likely.
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by SKD STUDIOS
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| 2. Semi-custom slipcovers. Semi-custom slipcovers are a mix between ready-made and custom. You can take at-home measurements and submit them to a slipcover manufacturer to produce a semi-custom slipcover that fits your piece of furniture. This offers a better fit for your furniture and will help avoid a lot of the maintenance involved in pinning and tucking.
This ottoman is not a standard size, but the slipcover has a snug fit and looks tailored for this space. This leads me to believe that the slipcover shown here is either semi-custom or custom. |
3. Custom slipcovers. Custom is my personal favorite and, of course, is much more expensive. Custom slipcovers are measured by a professional and made to the exact measurements of your piece. As shown here, the cushions and frame are slipcovered separately, giving a more upholstered look. The greatest benefit to the look of your space is that you can select any fabric or trim you desire.
Tip: It's always best to involve a professional when choosing fabrics. It's important to use an upholstery grade fabric and be aware of whether it is a dry-clean or machine washable fabric.
Tip: It's always best to involve a professional when choosing fabrics. It's important to use an upholstery grade fabric and be aware of whether it is a dry-clean or machine washable fabric.
The custom slipcovered chairs above, paired with a bold zebra-slipcovered ottoman, provide both added style and protection, offering residents a chic and comfortable place to relax without fear.
More: Browse photos of slipcovered furniture
More: Browse photos of slipcovered furniture
Ideabook published on July 25, 2011.
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Not everyone has a ton of money. How about suggesting something that is not so pricey. We love the ideas you share with us but how about some ideas for the ones that can afford pottery barn.
http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=19387
She highly recommended the Ikea slipcovers. She was so right! I ordered 2 sets of the Ikea Ektorp slipcovers in white twill and they are wonderful. Two teens and a black lab has me often tossing them in the washer & dryer and they're still wonderful!
I think they are every bit as well made as the PB covers. The heavy piping too gives them a nice crisp edge. I'm getting ready to order a couple more sets for Fall/Winter. Lisa
Remember that if you choose a washable fabric to prewash and dry in the dryer your material before it's used so that you can wash and dry without shrinkage, works like a charm!