I personally do not use mine except when I know I am having guests over who are particularly hard on my furniture. I keep them in zip lock baggies in an upstairs bedroom so I will remember where they are if I need them.

We don't ever use the arm covers on our clients furniture. . It is not very attractive. If you want to use them, I would always remove them when you have company.

If family are messy or someone likes to lie on the sofa with their head on the arm, then use them. You can always hide them when entertaining, as they are kind of utilitarian and often ruin the lines of the sofa.

I finally took my arm covers off.....I was always straightening them. Decided to store them in a closet and when the arms of the furniture started to wear...THEN I would use them. In my family if someone reclines on the sofa, they usually have a pillow covering the arms anyway...so no need for covers.

Prefer not to use, unless you're particularly rough on furniture :)

I only have mine on the end of the sofa the dog uses. Whip the arm cover and dog's blanket off the sofa when company comes.
gcoffey, is that a photo of your room? Lovely sofa & leather chair style, color, and beautiful rug...well done.