If you were around a couple of decades ago, you know that slipcovers were, well, ugly is a good way to put it; most looked like a bed sheet that had been thrown over a recliner, sofa or love seat.  Today, all of that has changed.  In fact, some of the slipcovers you will can now find look as though they are the actual upholstery!

Why use slipcovers?

Some people use slipcovers even on brand new furniture to keep the furniture looking new.  If you have children or pets, or burn wood, slipcovers will help to keep your furniture from becoming stained or worn.

Fireplaces and wood stoves can cause upholstery to become stained with smoke, turning it yellow and imbuing a smoky odor over time.  Dogs and children can be rough.  Even if your furniture isn’t worn, slipcovers are a good idea.

Types of slipcovers available

From one piece to three, you can find slipcovers for every need.  One piece covers usually work if you want a single covering for two to three cushions on a love seat or couch; however, three piece slipcover sets allow you to cover each cushion individually.  They are a bit more costly.

Two piece sets are designed so that you can place a cover over the main part of the sofa or chair (such as the back and arms), while the remaining cover can be used on cushions.  Three piece slipcovers work well if you have detached cushions that form the back of the couch.

Styles and designs suit every decorating need

In the old days, most of the loose slipcovers were designed in what would now be considered a gaudy floral design.  Today, you can find slipcovers that are custom made, so that you can have some designed using nearly any fabric or style necessary to match your decor.

From fresh stripes to elegant damask, today’s slipcovers offer versatility and appeal.  Even if you are only trying to protect your new furniture, your living room can be just as beautiful with the coverings as without.  From pale sage green and ocean blue to jazzy red shades and everything in between slip covers are available in every color.  Not only can you find solutions for your sofa and chair needs, slipcovers are available for ottomans, over-stuffed chairs and even wooden dining room seats.

There are also a variety of fabrics today to meet your decorating needs.  Cotton and polyester, twill, denim and even velvet allow you to create any look you like.  Fabrics such as velvet are more for decorative purposes, and not recommended if the furniture gets a great deal of use.

If you love a shabby chic look, you can often find slipcovers in floral patterns that are ruffled around the edges.  There are even leather varieties available for those who like a western or contemporary theme.

As you can see, the slipcovers you find now aren’t like those in your grandmother’s day!  Whether you are looking to protect your new furniture or give the old furniture a fresh new look, today’s options allow you to create any look you like.

Do you want to change up the theme or style of your living room? You don’t necessarily have to buy all new couches and chairs to match the new look of the décor. You can easily change the style and colors of your furnishings by adding slipcovers to the décor. Here are some helpful hints to help you get started in looking for new slipcovers for your family room furnishings.

Choose Cotton or Polyester-Blend Slipcovers for High-Traffic Areas
For high-traffic family rooms, your best bet will always be a slipcover that’s a cotton or polyester blend. This type of material will hold up the best when it comes to wear and tear. It does tend to wrinkle, but you can run an iron over the slipcovers and the wrinkles come right out. You should be able to find cotton and polyester slipcovers that are relatively inexpensive, although there are higher-end cotton slipcovers available as well.

Buy the Appropriate Size Slipcover
If you find the perfect slipcover for your couch but it’s not quite big enough, do not try to use it. A too-small slipcover on a couch or chair will end up looking too tight and you will probably be able to see parts of the couch peeking out from under it. It’s not any better to use a slipcover that’s too large for a furniture piece. This will only end up making the furniture look very sloppy and unpolished. Be sure to measure your furniture before you go out to look for a slipcover. This will ensure the proper fit.

Decide What Type of Slipcover You Prefer
Some people look for slipcovers that form fit against the couch, so that every line in the couch is visible. The other option is a looser-fitting slipcover, one that simply drapes and hangs loosely off the couch and other furniture. Keep in mind that tight-fitting slipcovers need to be constantly rearranged due to people sitting and moving about on it. This type of slipcover also may rip more easily from being pulled too tight or in a wrong direction. Decide what type of slipcover you want based on your preferences and the style of the room before you go out and buy one.

People choose to use slipcovers for a variety of different reasons. For one thing, they can be used to hide stains or rips on cushions that are otherwise in great condition. They can also be used to change the look of a room when redecorating. Some people even use them to give their room a different look with the changing of the seasons. Whatever your reason, take care to choose your slipcovers carefully. After all, once you slip them over the furniture, they will become one of the main focuses of the room.

Do you want to be able to change the décor of your home to correspond with the changing seasons? Seasonal decorating doesn’t involve any major changes like painting the walls or getting new furniture. With some smaller decorating changing, you can definitely have your home looking like springtime or winter. Here are some simple ways to change your home’s décor so that it reflects the different seasons throughout the year.

Switch Up the Slipcovers
By switching your slipcovers you can create a décor to go with every season. Dark, rich fabrics such as black velvet or dark green chenille work great for the winter. You want to go with a lighter fabric and color/pattern for the spring and summer. Then you can bring in the colors of the outdoors for fall with a brown or brown-and-orange patterned slipcover.

Change Furniture Accessories
When you change the slipcovers on the furniture, you might also add or remove different seasonal accessories. Heavy throws and blankets slung over the back of couches and chairs are a great addition to any décor in the winter and then can be removed in the warmer months. Decorative pillows can also be switched out according to the seasons. As with the slipcovers, lighter fabrics work best in the warmer months and darker, heavier fabrics fit more with a winter theme.

Change the Window Treatments
Window treatments can be used to either block out the sun or allow more light to come in according to the different seasons, depending on your preferences. In the winter, you might want to consider lightening up the window treatments, which will allow more sunlight to come in and warm the house. Then in the summer, shades or blinds can help block out some of the strongest rays that can make the house too warm.

Rotate Area Rugs
If you have area rugs as part of your home décor, they can also be changed according to the different seasons. A great idea to consider is to remove them altogether in the warmer months, simply leaving a hardwood or tile floor. Then you can bring them out again in the fall and winter. It’s always nice during the colder months to have a warm area rug on the ground to warm up the room.

Change Up the Small Accessories
Small accessories that go with the different seasons are a quick and easy way to create a seasonal décor. For instance, in summer you might want to put out vases of fresh flowers and containers filled with seashells. For the fall, you might change things up with some fake gourds or fall flower arrangements in wicker baskets. While winter is always a time for holiday decorations, you can also choose to decorate for winter in general with things like candles and snowmen. New flower arrangements and some bright knickknacks for the shelves can have your whole house feeling like spring. You might even consider rotating the artwork on the walls according to the different seasons.

With a little research and creativity, you can create an attractive and functional décor for each of the different seasons. With some simple changes here and there, you can transform the look of the room more than you might think.