Newer slipcovers offer better fit, wider color choice

After Sonya and Jeff Jones redecorated a bedroom, one piece of furniture stood out like a sore thumb.

A loveseat with a fall, floral pattern wasn't really meshing with their revised navy and white color scheme, Sonya Jones says. After they painted the walls navy and switched out the drapes and bedding, "the couch didn't work at all," she says.

But getting rid of it was out of the question. "My husband loves this little loveseat. It's just an old, comfy favorite."

Their solution came in the form of a soft navy slipcover with a subtle floral motif. "It's a little bit lighter blue than our walls. It was quick, and we get to keep the loveseat without having to reupholster it."

The increasing versatility of slipcovers has made them a popular choice for quick decorating makeovers, whether for a season or an occasion, say retailers and interior designers.

"I think it's a classic look. I don't think it's a trendy look per se," says Laura Cochran Moffatt, owner of LPC interiors in Greenville, S.C. "It's a great thing to do if, say, your sofa is a darker color and you want to lighten up your house. And they're not super expensive."

In the past, they were used most often to hide worn or damaged sofas. Today, they're used more for style and fashion, says Hugh Rovit, chief executive officer for Sure Fit Inc., a New York-based manufacturer and marketer of slipcovers and other home accessories. "It's now a protective measure for not getting (furniture) damaged and, more importantly, it's become much more of a decorating concept."

Along the way the concept migrated from the traditional love seat and sofa to other pieces such as dining chairs, wingback chairs and recliners, Moffatt says. "They are very versatile."

Choices for materials can range from suede and faux leather to chenille and twill. Sure Fit, for instance, carries a line of eco-friendly organic cotton slipcovers, Rovit says. "It's very popular. Green is in, and here's the ability to capture that market."

Microfiber slipcovers are particularly popular with young families, Moffatt says. "You can clean it up, wash it off and it doesn't show wear and tear. It's very durable."

The fit of slipcovers has improved dramatically. A main concern in the past was that slipcovers didn't fit properly and were difficult to maintain, Rovit says. Today, you can purchase machine washable fabrics that have a better fit and are much easier to put on. "You can use them regularly and change them out regularly."