These Sofa Slipcovers Can Protect Your Couch from Kids, Pets & More

If you’ve ever bought a brand new sofa, you’ll know these large investments are usually accompanied by months if not years of certain “new sofa” rules which are aimed at preventing any kind of stains, marks or scratches from appearing. And while the sentiment and aims are admirable, the reality of maintaining such rules is often difficult, especially in households where children and pets exist.

Your couch may not be the most expensive couch in the world, but you probably want it to stay as nice as possible for as long as possible. The easiest way to ensure your couch stays clean is to get a sofa slipcover.

The bets sofa slipcovers aren’t the bulky, sheet-like slipcovers of yesteryear. Advances have certainly been made, and today’s slipcovers are capable of hugging your couch so that you’re the only one that knows there’s an extra layer between your butt and the cushions.

But, before you buy a slipcover, there are three things you’ll need to consider, namely fit, measurement and material.

Fit

You’ll first need to think about how you want your cover to fit over your existing sofa. This will vastly depend on the shape of your sofa. Some covers drape over the sofa, while others hug the sofa’s curves using ties or elastic bands. For those that hug your sofa, there are two additional choices. You can have a slipcover that comes in one piece and wraps around every part of your sofa. Alternatively, you can buy a two-piece slipcover and cover the frame in one piece and the cushions in another piece.

Measurement

Once you’ve determined which type of fit is best for your couch, it’s time to take the measurements. You’ll need to measure from the floor to the bottom of the sofa, from the bottom of the sofa to the top of the sofa and from the outside of one arm to the outside of the other arm. The last measurement will tell you whether you need to buy a sofa slipcover, a loveseat slipcover or a chair slipcover. These are the widths associated with each of those types:

• Sofa: 74 to 96 inches
• Loveseat: 58 to 73 inches
• Chair: 32 to 40 inches

Material

Slipcovers are available in a wide variety of materials. Some are more comfortable than others, but you’ll really need to decide which material you need based on functionality. If you’re looking to protect your sofa from pets, kids and stains, try to look for a material that’s water- and stain-resistant and comes in darker colors. For a more comfortable sitting experience, a cotton blend is best. Alternatively, wool, linen and silk offer an elegant look. Finally, if keeping the slipcover tight against your couch without any visible wrinkles is important to you, a spandex and polyester blend is probably the right choice for you.

Ready to start protecting your sofa? Here are the best sofa slipcovers to keep your couch clean and protect it from kids, pets and more.

1. Easy-Going Stretch Sofa Slipcover

BEST OVERALL

With just shy of 2,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, the Easy-Going Stretch Sofa Slipcover Furniture Protector is a well-reviewed and popular answer to keeping your sofa clean and safe. In addition to being available in a range of sizes (from chair to oversized sofa), these covers come in over 20 different colors. That means there’s likely one to match your interiors. Plus, the spandex-polyester mix ensures the stretchy fabric sits close to your sofa, while the anti-slip foam keeps your cover in place when it’s in use.

2. Joywell Linen Armrest Covers

BEST PARTIAL SLIPCOVER

Sometimes you don’t need to cover the whole couch to make it look better. Whether the armrests on your living room seating arrangement have been chewed on by the dog or worn down over time, the Joywell Linen Armrest Covers might be a huge improvement over the status quo. They’re made from a lightweight yet durable linen fabric and come in over 15 different colors to match any couch. As an added bonus, these armrest covers also sport four handy pockets on the outside to hold the TV remote, your phone and other living room essentials.

3. H.VERSAILTEX Stretching Furniture Cover

BEST BUDGET

With nine different colors and a range of different sizes to choose from, there’s definitely an H.VERSAILTEX Stretching Skid Resistance Furniture Cover for you. The elasticated cord on the bottom of the cover makes it easy to fit the thing over the whole couch, while the high-spandex lycra and jacquard knitted material provide a comfortable and taught surface for sitting. The cover also comes with foam inserts for quick and precise fitting. Plus, it’s machine washable, so cleaning and general maintenance are effortless.

4. Kitty Cat Protector Plastic Couch Cover

BEST FOR HOUSEHOLDS WITH PETS

If your cat relentlessly takes out its frustrations on your couch corners, it might be time to give your furniture a little bit of protection. By covering your sofa with the Kitty Cat Protector Plastic Couch Cover, you’ll have a thick and durable cover between your cat and the delicate couch material. In addition to protecting your couch from unwanted shredding, the cover also helps deter your cat from sitting on your couch as the species generally dislikes plastic surfaces. Plus, this cover is also waterproof, making it easy to wipe clean and brush clear of dirt and hair.

5. Great Bay Home Modern Velvet Plush Sofa Slipcover

BEST PATTERN

The Great Bay Home Modern Velvet Plush Sofa Slipover is an ideal choice for people looking for an eye-catching couch cover. Whether you prefer a design covered in snowflakes, toile or even just all one color, there’s a style you’re sure to love. The slipcover is made from a high-quality material that is designed for durability and comfort. It’s also slip-resistant and free from straps for an effective yet attractive answer to protecting your couch.

6. Subtrex Stretch Textured Grid Sofa Slipcover

BEST MONOTONE

Available in more than a dozen colors, including grey, black and brown, the Subtrex Stretch One-Piece Textured Grid Sofa Slipcover is an easy way to protect your couch. It’s made from a spandex and polyester blend which is both durable and flexible, making the fitting process quick and simple. The high-quality material is also textured, giving it a crease resistance to help keep your couch looking clean. Plus, this cover boasts built-in elastic corners for a quicker and more figure-hugging fit.

7. Winston Porter Velvet Plush Slipcover

BEST SPLURGE

Do you want a classy way to protect your couch from spills, stains and tears? Then fit the Winston Porter Velvet Plush Form Fit Sofa Slipcover to your sofa. It’s crafted from a lightweight fabric which is made from a polyester and spandex blend, allowing it to tightly hug your couch while also providing comfort. The one-piece cover is slip-resistant and strapless, helping it look like the natural couch material. Furthermore, it’s machine washable for easy cleaning and maintenance.

8. Alcott Hill Box Cushion Sofa Slipcover

BEST FOR FAMILIES

With its super soft and stain-resistant fabric, the Alcott Hill Box Cushion Sofa Slipcover offers a comfortable and effective way to keep your couch clean and looking new. It’s available to fit a range of sofa types and sizes and is a handy way for families to protect the couch from unforeseen accidents. The cover includes a built-in elastic band which helps to keep the cover in place, while the attractive design makes even the oldest of couches look years younger. In addition, matching pillowcases are available for purchase separately, but we recommend adding a few throw pillows to set off the darker pattern of this cover.

9. AUJOY Water-Repellent Couch Cover

BEST FOR AN INJECTION OF LIFE

If you’re fed up with having a sofa that looks like it’s been through the wringer, use this AUJOY Water-Repellent Couch Cover to breathe new life into it. Whether your couch suffers from old age, hundreds of spills or a pet which won’t quit abusing your couch, this handy cover offers a simple and cheaper alternative to investing in a brand new couch. The all-one-color cover is available in over 10 different colors, meaning there’s a choice to match most interiors, while the stretchy fabric and included foam rods guarantee a form-hugging fit. For easy cleaning, the cover is machine washable.

10. RHF Geometrical Sofa Cover

MOST TEMPORARY

For a slipcover you can easily remove or install in a matter of seconds, look no further than the RHF Geometrical Sofa Cover. Whether you have animals that like to sit on the couch but you don’t want them to ruin the actual fabric or you just want a fresh look every now and then, this blanket-like cover is a great solution. It’s made from 65% cotton, so it feels luxurious against the skin when compared to other sofa slipcovers. It’s also extra-large to cover every part of your couch. And, the slight texture of the weave, as well as the short fringe, give this slipcover a cozy style that invites guests to sit down and stay awhile.

11. Red Barrel Studio Box Cushion Sofa Slipcover

BEST STRAP FITTING

If you’re after a quick fitting couch cover you can add and remove when you need it, the Red Barrel Studio Box Cushion Sofa Slipcover fits the bill. The handy cover fits over your couch in a matter of minutes using the elastic straps which provide a secure hold. This slipcover is also water-resistant and machine washable, meaning you don’t have to worry about spills or stains if you’re having guests over.

12. TAOCOCO Water Resistance Sectional Couch Covers

BEST FOR SECTIONALS

Owners of sectional sofas know how difficult it can be to find slipcovers for such seating arrangements. The TAOCOCO Water Resistance Sectional Couch Covers solve that issue by providing an L-shaped cover in two pieces. The covers are made from a polyester and spandex blend to provide a soft sitting experience and high stretch. In addition, this set is provided with foam rollers and bottom ties to keep the cover in place and prevent any slippage with use. And, as an added benefit, the material is designed to be water-resistant and machine washable for easy cleaning.

13. Sofa Cover Vintage 1-Piece Lace Couch Cover

BEST VINTAGE-INSPIRED

With a completely vintage look, you can be confident it can successfully do the job you need it to. It’s available in 10 different colors and sports a beautiful vintage lace exterior which adds a touch of class to your furniture. The plush fabric is extremely soft to the touch, delivering a sitting experience you’re sure to love. It’s also machine washable and available in a range of different sizes to fit almost every standard couch.

14. House of Hampton Damask Printed Sofa Slipcover

BEST BOX-CUSHION SLIPCOVER

A box-cushion slipcover differs from a traditional slipcover in that it comes in two or more pieces. The first piece is to cover the frame of your sofa, while the subsequent pieces cover your sofa’s cushions. The House of Hampton Damask Printed Sofa Slipcover has two pieces, so you’ll need to cover all the cushions in a single piece. But, this does ensure a better fit and less movement of the cover with repeated use. In addition, this cover is made from a high-quality jacquard damask material which is dyed using a unique technology that prevents fading. It also has great elasticity and an attractive pattern to freshen up your living room interior.

15. CAMZ Stretch Recliner Slipcover

BEST FOR RECLINING SOFAS

Sofas that recline present a unique problem for slipcover manufacturers. In general, slipcovers are not built to allow for a footrest or a movable backrest. CAMZ took on this issue by designing their Stretch Recliner Slipcover, which uses a highly elastic material to account for the various changes in position a reclining sofa may necessitate. Furthermore, the three-dimensional jacquard fabric adds a fun design to the couch, and the included foam sticks as well as the strong elastic band around the bottom of the cover keep it in place, even if you use the recline feature daily.

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