Terrie Gives Slipcovers a Big Thumbs Down

There’s nothing I like about the look of slipcovers….the idea of them, maybe.  But the execution, definitely not.  The idea of a removable, washable upholstery cover in theory is appealing – who wouldn’t like to be able to toss their sofa in a washing machine and have it come out sparkling clean?  The problem is …. wrinkles. I hate the mussed, wrinkly, unpressed look of something that laid in the dryer for days (even if it didn’t, it always seem to look that way!).  And who wants to have to iron their sofa?!

via Easy Style by BHG

Two other pet peeves are:  fit and maintenance.  Unless your slipcover is custom made, it rarely fits the furniture well necessitating lots of tucking and pinning and clips to hold the look together.  (I’ve even read tips like tucking rolled magazines with rubber bands down between the pillows to hold the fabric in place!)   Standard slipcovers purchased at your local big box store are designed for “average” sizes and have elastic or extra fabric for tucking so that the slipcover can fit the most styles of furniture.  As you can imagine, if your size/style is just a little out of the ordinary, it will be a challenge for you to find a good fit. 

As for maintenance, I don’t mean the ease of washability.  I’m talking about the fact that every time someone sits on your perfectly tucked and groomed slipcover, it will pull loose, come untucked, shift on the cushions so that upon standing up, the chair looks like someone slept on it.  Therefore, you have to maintain it and tuck everything back in so it’s nice and smooth. 

via Decorate4Less.com

Pressed and tucked, with gathers, bows and elastic, this photo makes slipcovers look feasible.  I’m here to tell you it will never look like this again!  Slipcovers seem most suited to a country or shabby chic decor style.  The colors, prints and patterns available generally fall in those categories as well, making it difficult for someone with a more modern aesthetic to find a look (other than white) that will work.

The slipcover look shown most often in magazines is white and the rooms look lovely.  You’ll see casual coastal rooms beautifully done in crisp white slipcovers, pretty blue pillows and billowing sheer drapes.  The magazine copy extols the virtues of ‘wash and wear’ care so white furniture is no problem even with children.  Huh. Have you seen kids ‘white’ t-shirts after a few wearings and washes?  Not so white.  I don’t care what miracle cleanser you use, the white slipcover is not going to look good as long as a medium toned neutral leather or microfiber fabric will.  

I would NOT want to iron all those ruffles. (via Country Living)

So, you’ll never see a slipcover in my home.  I’ll stitch up a tear, toss a throw over a stain, pile on pillows to cover upholstery I’m tired of, but I won’t resort to slipcovers.  But that’s just me….. 

Cindy Gives Slipcovers a Thumbs Up

I think slipcovers are fun. Many years ago I owned a living room sofa and loveseat with black and taupe cabana style stripes.  They were great for fall and winter but come spring and summer I found myself ready to lighten up the room so I purchased slip covers in cream and camel.  This was 15 years ago and “in the good ol’ days” the only ready-made slipcovers were giant fabric sheets with a pre-made elastic ruffle that you could add to the bottom of the furniture.  The big rectangle sheet of fabric had to be tucked and folded and formed to the shape of the sofa or love seat and then held in place with cork screw upholstery pins.  It took several hours to get both the sofa and the loveseat covered nicely but the payoff was the big change in the looks of the room - the furniture was lighter and brighter for the warm months and I could change out my gold accessories for turquoise items which added a bright watery feel to the room.

Today slipcover options include ready-made styles that are more fitted, new furniture that comes with a set of slipcovers, and custom made slipcovers.  In addition to the usual sofas and loveseats, slipcovers are also now available for chairs (including wing backs and recliners), ottomans, dining chairs and even bed headboards and footboards.

Slipcovered headboards from RosenberryRooms.com enhance the clean look of this room while allowing easy decorating changes.

 Whether your furniture is brand new or old, slip covers have something to offer: 

First – slipcovers encourage reuse and recycle.  You can simply cover up tired, faded, torn or stained upholstery – giving a fresh new look to your room without having to throw out your current furniture.  This is environmentally conscientious.

This Stretch Velvet Mesquite Wing Chair Slipcover is offered by Amazon.com.

Second-    you don’t have to deplete your savings buying new furniture – even high end slipcovers cost a fraction of what you’d spend to replace your furniture.  Plus, if you need furniture, you can spend less by buying it second hand and slipcovering it to suit your room.  Slipcovering is also generally less expensive than reupholstering a piece of furniture. 

Even a bench can be slipcovered as Pottery Barn shows here with its Lewis Bench - slipcovers available in a variety of fabrics and colors.

 Third – if you invest in new furniture a slipcover helps you protect it from kids and pets, increasing the longevity of your investment.   Simply toss the slipcover in the washer when jelly finger prints, pizza sauce or muddy paw prints appear.  Did you know slipcovers can be more sanitary too because they can be laundered regularly?  This can help prevent the spread of cold and flu germs through fabric during the winter – while upholstery cleaning is expensive and seldom done more than once a year.

Pottery Barn offers the slipcovered Brooks Chair and a variety of sofas with slipcovers - protect your furniture investment and change your color scheme easily.

 Fourth – slipcovers let you change your decorating mind to suit your mood or the season.  You’ll continue to love your current furnishings longer and won’t be tempted to toss them over just because you’re bored with them.

Stretch leather slip cover from SureFit.com on the same sofa as pictured left.

Sage stretch slipcover form SureFit.com allows you to change sofa colors in minutes.

I think slipcovers offer so many great decorating options and opportunities to save both money and resources that I’m going to continue discussing them in my post tomorrow – check back for more great info and how-to’s regarding slipcovers. 

What Do You Think About Slipcovers?

Do you give slipcovers a thumbs up or a thumbs down?  What do you like or dislike about them?  Have you used them or would you ever give them a try?  Share your opinions with us – we’d love to hear what you have to say.  Click on “Comments” below or email us at solutions@yourdecoratinghotline.com .