Find the Right Slipcovers for Your Sofa

Budgeting

3. Settle on a Budget

Custom slipcovers, like couture dresses, are made to order and are predictably pricey. At the other end of the spectrum, ready-made covers can be surprisingly affordable. Prices vary widely, depending on the fabric and the vendor, but "for a standard-size sofa, expect to pay at least $600 for a custom slipcover, not including the 15 to 20 yards of fabric it will require," says Karen Erickson Rea, owner of Slipcover America, in Snohomish, Washington. A semicustom slipcover for the same sofa will run about $400 if you opt for a standard fabric, such as cotton duck, while a ready-made cover can cost as little as $50. (See Ready-Made Slipcover Fabrics for ready-made-fabric sources.)