How To Measure A Chair For A Slipcover? Best Ways

To properly measure a chair for a slipcover, one should use a tape measure and refer to the specific recommendations provided for each type of seat. Chairs come in a wide range of sizes and designs, so familiarizing yourself with each type is essential for finding the right fit while covering them.

What Is A Slipcover?

Have you ever thought about how to prevent stains on your chairs? Is it possible that you’re planning on painting the walls and worried that your current chairs won’t look good against the new color scheme?

A slipcover, which you can drape over your chair, is the perfect solution to your dilemma. Slipcovers are adaptable, easily removed, and cozy.

The use of these covers can extend the useful life of your furniture and protect its original finish. Outdoor use, even in modest amounts, will not dull the color of your furniture. Easy to put on and take off, slipcovers are a must-have for any household.

4 Home Benefits of Using Slipcovers

1. Easy to Clean

Couch slipcovers and pet bed covers are simple to launder compared to bulkier couches and pet beds. Taking them off to wash them is as easy as taking them off. Just throw them in the wash if there is a spill or the dog hair builds up to an unacceptable level. Cleaning your couch or dog bed is not necessary, and neither is trying to fit them both into the washing machine.

2. They’re Decorative

Slipcovers are a fantastic option for giving your home a brand new look quickly and easily. As your tastes change, you may easily update your living room with a new set of decorative accents. Simply switching the duvet covers will transform your room’s look from flowery to geometric in seconds. Even if you already have plenty of pillows, you may make them look brand new by purchasing pillowcases.

3. Easy to Use

Slipcovers for couches and other types of covers are a breeze to put on and take off. They can be simply slipped on and off of your furniture thanks to their ergonomic shape. Taking them off to clean them won’t be a source of worry or frustration, nor will you have to fight to get them on.

4. Blend Mismatched Furniture

From time to time, we are fortunate enough to acquire couches from friends and family or find bargains at local thrift stores. It’s possible this could result in furniture that doesn’t go together very well, which would ruin the overall aesthetic of your home. Slipcovers are a great way to give your mismatched furniture a unified look.

Slipcovers are the magic bullet for your furniture’s problems. They streamline the process of maintaining a neat and attractive living space. With so many options available, it’s easy to give your home a facelift whenever the mood strikes.

What Materials Are Slipcovers Made Of?

Slipcovers can be made from several materials with different textures and colors. It’s important to think about how often and what kind of chair you use.

Microfiber

This is a thick but comfortable fabric. It can be used to construct an excellent chair that is safe from the elements. In addition to being resistant to stains, microfiber can also be cleaned quickly and easily.

Cotton

Cotton is another lightweight and breathable fabric that is nice to the touch. Nonetheless, it wrinkles easily, therefore care must be used when installing and removing it.

Denim

Strong and casual, denim is the perfect material to upholster your chair in. In comparison to cotton, it’s on the rough side in terms of softness.

Linen

When worn, linen’s coolness and softness are immediately apparent. It also wrinkles readily, but this flaw can be used to your advantage by creating a more lived-in look.

Polyester

This synthetic fabric has excellent durability, low weight, low care, and resistance to wrinkles. Consequently, Polyester has been a popular option for use in slipcovers.

Faux leather

Faux leather is an eco-friendly and cost-effective substitute for real leather. It may be easily cleaned with a damp cloth and holds up well.

Chenille

Chenille is a luxurious fabric that is both soft and textured. These intricate designs not only make the cloth seem great, but also serve to conceal any stains it could pick up.

Essential Things To Remember When Measuring

Because of your newfound knowledge of slipcovers, you can now move forward with the construction of your own. However, before you get started, there are a few things you should keep in mind regarding chair slipcover measurements.

You should start by identifying the specific type of chair you’re trying to quantify; Is it a sofa with pillows or a recliner that needs to recline?

Next, decide on a fabric and style for your slipcover. What kind of durability are you looking for in a cover? Do you prefer a stretchy one or a solid one?

Fabrics with stretch, such as polyester, are simpler to work with than cotton, which can be difficult to shape. Cushions have a big impact on the overall dimensions of a chair, so it’s best to use one-piece slipcovers for connected pillows and two-piece slipcovers for removable cushions.

Then, take the shape of the cushions into account when you measure. Which, standard pillows or T-cushions, do you have?

Finally, it’s a good idea to round up rather than down while measuring. If you go to the trouble of getting a new slipcover, only to find that it is too tight, it can be a major nuisance.

Step-By-Step Process On Measuring A Chair For A Slipcover

Now is the time to begin measuring! The many kinds of chairs call for correspondingly varied techniques.

Method #1. Measuring a sofa

Because sofas are so versatile, whether as a place to relax or an additional sleeping space, it is recommended that you protect yours with a slipcover.

First, measure the width of your sofa between its longest sides.

To begin with, locate the front edge of the seat cushion and measure all the way back to where it meets the back of the sofa.

Third, determine the widest point of the cushion. Take special care to inspect the perimeters.

Measure the full breadth of the sofa from front to back and side to side, beginning at the arm.

Step #5: Examine the shape of your sofa from the floor up, beginning at the rearmost cushion.

Method #2. Measuring a recliner chair

Protecting the arms of your recliner from daily use is easy with a slipcover. Please consider the length of the recliner before ordering.

Take the circumference of your back. The next step is to measure the broadest part of the chair’s back. Due to the frequent relocation of these chairs, one-piece slipcovers are the norm.

Method #3. Measuring a wingback chair

The width of a wingback chair is a simple matter of measuring tape. These vintage chairs can be modernized with slipcovers.

First, determine the length of the back. Begin from the feet and work your way up to the neck and shoulders.

Second, measure the width and length of the cushion.

Method #4. Measuring dining room chairs

Chairs used in the dining room are the most likely to become stained. A slipcover is your best defense against permanent marks and scuffs.

The first thing to do is get a height measurement from the person’s hips to their shoulders.

Step 2: Determine the horizontal distance between two points.

How Long Will My Slipcover Last?

1. Choose a tightly woven denim, canvas, linen or hemp fabric in a weight that matches the function of your slipcover.

• Ultra-light, “drapery weight” at only 7 ounces: Ideal for slipcovers that won’t be used often and washed less frequently.
• The 8- to 10-ounce range is a suitable option for slipcovers that will get regular wear but will only need to be washed once or twice a year.
• The best choice for high-traffic slipcovers that need to be washed every few months is a heavy weight, 12-ounce fabric. Ideal for households with children and/or animals.
• The term “heavy duty weight,” or “#12” (11.5 ounces), is used to describe 2-ply cotton duck. This #12 canvas is made with twice as many strands per inch as standard canvas. Weave density and tightness are both higher than that of standard 12 ounce canvas. Creates a slipcover that is durable enough to withstand frequent washings and rigorous use.

2. Have realistic expectations about your fabric’s performance and longevity.

Even if a fabric can withstand repeated washings and is deemed durable, that doesn’t mean it will last forever.

A washable slipcover will age and wear similarly to other everyday textiles made from natural fibers, such as your favorite pair of denim jeans, canvas cargo shorts, or cotton sheets and towels.

If you bleach your furniture frequently and allow pets on it, it will eventually become stained, faded, shrink, have broken seams, and have threadbare places.

3. Extend the life of your slipcover with proper care.

How well you care for your slipcover will determine not only how long it lasts but also how well it resists the various types of wear it will experience. For the best outcomes, try the following:

• For the best results with your slipcover, preshrink the cloth before you begin working with it.
• If you need to clean your slipcover, do it in a cold water washing machine cycle. Put the load in the dryer and set the temperature to warm. Avoid overdrying. Reduce exposure to extreme temperatures. Take your slipcover out of the dryer when it’s still moist. Spread it out on your furniture to dry completely.
• Don’t use chlorine bleach. Over time, it degrades natural fibers. Instead of using dangerous chlorine, try something like OxyClean.
• Do not use optical whitener-containing washing detergents. They have a discoloring effect.
• Never apply a new stain-repellent or stain-removing product directly to your slipcover without first testing it on a large scrap of the cleaned fabric. Be wary, as some of these items may cause dyes to run.
• Slipcovers can be shielded from soil and wear with the help of arm covers.

Conclusion

Your chairs will be protected from filth and wear with slipcovers. Recognizing how to measure a chair for a slipcover is the first step in giving your furniture a fresh new design that is both durable and chic.