Find the Right Slipcovers for Your Sofa

Follow these steps for a quick and easy living room makeover.

Making Choices

1. Know Your Options

Custom slipcovers are ideal for furniture with sinuous, nonlinear shapes―a camelback sofa, say, or a wing chair―or if you want a fitted look that could pass for straight-from-the-factory upholstery. Measurements are done by a pro, who usually orders the fabric, too, which saves you the trouble.

Semicustom slipcovers are sewn by a fabricator to measurements that you provide. To get the best fit possible, choose a slipcover company that gives detailed measuring instructions in its catalog, over the phone, or online.

Ready-made slipcovers, also known as furniture throws, are the way to go if you want a quick, low-cost solution that protects your furniture from spills and wear and tear. They come in standard sizes (usually small, medium, and large), and you can adjust the fit with ties, drawstrings, or straps.

2. Choose a Material

Whether you opt for custom, semicustom, or ready-made slipcovers, pick a fabric that resists stains, wears well, and can be laundered in a washing machine. Also look for a smooth, sturdy weave rather than snag-prone materials (such as silk). “Cotton is usually durable and washable, and cotton-polyester blends also work,” says Elaine Ellis, owner of I Do Slipcovers, in Englewood, Colorado. Spills wipe right off polyester microfibers, including some faux suedes.