How To Measure Slipcovers

Slipcover Buying Guide

Bought a sofa you love only to find the pattern you chose isn’t great at hiding stains? Recently moved and now the furniture doesn’t match your new home? A slipcover is a great solution. With a few simple measurements, you can makeover old furniture for less money than buying new.

Determining Fit

It’s crucial to determine fit before buying slipcovers. They fit best on furniture with rounded arms, but even hard-to-fit furniture (e.g. sofas with winged cushions) can be fitted. It just takes a little extra planning.

There are two main types of slipcovers available:

1. One-piece sets that cover the entire piece of furniture, making washing the slipcover easy and convenient.
2. Separate sets that give you the option to cover all or part of your furniture, allowing you the ability to replace one cushion’s cover without having to replace the entire set, for example.

Measuring Your Furniture

You’ve determined what type of slipcover set you’d like. Now let’s talk about how to measure for furniture covers to ensure the best fit. You just need a tape measure and a few minutes.

How to Measure a Sofa for a Slipcover

It’s used for an extra bed for unexpected guests, a hangout for movie night, and a place to relax when you’re not feeling well, so it’s no wonder sofa (loveseat) slipcovers are the most popular of all the slipcover types available. Here’s how to measure a couch for a slipcover in just 5 steps:

1. Measure the widest part of your sofa, starting from the outer edge of one arm of the sofa to the outside of the opposite arm. Make sure to start and end the measurement at the outermost edge of the sofa’s arms.
2. Measure the depth of your seat cushion. Starting from the front part of the sofa, measure to the point where the cushion meets the back of the couch. (If your sofa has cushions that aren’t equal in depth, make sure to measure each cushion separately.)
3. Measure maximum cushion width. Make sure to measure from the outermost edge of the left of the cushion(s) to the outermost edge of the right cushion(s).
4. Measure maximum width of the sofa’s body. Starting at the front of one of the arms, measure from that point to the back of the sofa, across the back, and to the front of the opposite sofa arm. (Your measurement should create a “u-shape”.)
5. Measure the sofa’s contour. Starting at the back of the cushion(s), measure up and over the back of your sofa down to the floor.

Tip: Wondering how to measure a sectional sofa for a slipcover? Measure each section as you would a regular sofa.

How to Measure a Recliner for a Cover

No doubt the arms of your recliner see the most wear and tear: it’s where hands and arms constantly rub against the fabric, making it thin and vulnerable to tearing. If you’ve decided it’s time for a facelift, you’ll be happy to know that measuring a recliner for a slipcover is as easy as the recliner is comfortable:

• Measure the chair back’s circumference, making sure to place your tape measure around the thickest part of the chair back.

How to Measure a Wingback Chair for a Slipcover

Styles change quickly and the wingback accent chair that you once loved is now out-of-date. If you need to quickly change its style, a slipcover is a great option. Like recliners, wingback chairs are simple to measure:

1. Measure the chair’s back length, from the bottom of the chair leg to the highest part of the chair back.
2. Measure the cushion, starting from the outside of one side of the cushion to the other side.

How to Measure Dining Room Chairs for Slipcovers

With all the stains and spills that can happen to a dining chair, it’s easy to see why using a slipcover is a no-brainer. To measure for the right slipcover, you’ll need to make 2 measurements:

1. Measure the height of the chair back, from just above the top of the chair legs to the top of the chair’s back.
2. Measure the width of the chair back, from one side to the other.

Things To Consider When Measuring

Depending on the type of slipcover you decide to buy, you may have to make an additional measurement or two. For example, if you decide to buy slipcovers with a dust ruffle, you’ll need to measure your sofa or chair from the top of the legs to the floor.

In addition, it’s important to take into account the type of material of your new slipcover. Knit fabrics (such as cotton and spandex) will stretch to fit your furniture, thus allowing for minor miscalculations in measurement. If you opt for a fabric like twill, you’ll need to make sure to take careful measurements since woven fabrics don’t stretch like knit fabrics do.

Ready to Pick Out New Slipcovers?

If you’ve decided it’s time for slipcovers, Country Door has unique and fashionable slipcovers to give your furniture the best possible look and protection for years.