Versatility of slipcovers

One of the nice things about slipcovers is their versatility as a decorating aid. They can be use in both traditional and trendy settings. You can create many different impressions and keep changing from season to season, just by giving the same couch or armchair a completely different cover each time. You can change the character not only of furniture but also of the whole room by changing the fabric, color and pattern o the covers.


The original purpose of slipcovers was to protect costly find fabrics on upholstered furniture from wear and tear and to keep them clean. Today we make a decisive point of coupling the practical purpose with a decorative one. If protection to the upholstered furniture is the main concern, dirt and dust must never be allowed to work their way through to ruin the upholstery under the covers. Then you must choose a fabric that is closely woven and easily laundered or dry-cleaned, because the covers will receive all the soiling that would otherwise attack the upholstery. Fabrics that are crease-resistant, fade-proof and pre-shrunk are also ideal for slipcovers.


Trends and changes in slipcover fashions continue to govern the design of slipcovers. Unpiped seams can help to bring an uncluttered and simplicity to a setting, whereas, piped seams make traditional furniture look better and correct.


If you plan to use prints and pattern fabric, choose them wisely. The density of color and pattern can alter the apparent size of the chair or couch quite considerably. Large patterns, bright, intensive colors and rough textures tend to make the covered item appear larger. The opposite is true if the pattern is small or the color is light and the texture is smooth.


Large patterned fabrics require more thought and care than do small all-over patterns or solid one-color fabrics. Large motifs must be well centered on every section of the cover. Seams too, must be matched exactly, and this means you have to buy extra fabric and there will be a certain amount of wastage. Small all-over designs and plain fabrics are the easiest and most economical to use as they don’t have to be matched at the seams and there is no wastage.


If in some cases that the print you want to use seems a bit too overpowering by itself, then tone it down by using a solid color with it. For example, make the main cover in the print but cover the loose seat cushion with plain, solid color that matches one in the print. If the unit has a separate back cushion as well, then cover it in a solid color too. The final effect will be more relaxed. Another way of using a print and plain combination would be to cover the whole unit in the print and the skirt in plain. The skirt could be left either quite plain or trimmed at the hem edge with the print. Usually the nature of the print will inspire you the best method of trimming or mix and match with loose cushions.