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Run for Cover
It's easy to camouflage
a crummy couch
By AMY DILUNA
Nothing makes a good living room go bad faster than a lousy loveseat. For those who feel the urge to nest but can't afford a new sofa, the lowly slipcover is becoming a smarter option than ever.
In addition to being practical (try throwing your couch in the washing machine), slipcovers are still cheap and come in a trendy array of colors, fabrics and patterns. How did this simple solution go from granny to gorgeous?
In 1989, Rachel Ashwell started a line of home furnishings called Shabby Chic. Her washable slipcovered couches made fashion statements out of an unfashionable look. The style caught on, and today, companies like SureFit, the giant brand that outfits stores like Linens 'N Things and Macy's, is doing a $130 million business. Here's a quick guide to temporarily transforming your own digs.
A custom-made slipcover will fit your couch best, and is available through companies like Shabby Chic, Bloomingdale's and Todo Es, a small but reputable California-based online business. Depending on your budget, however, a custom-fit cover can cost almost as much as a new couch. Todo Es' version, for a loveseat in cotton duck, costs $400-$700. We tested their custom service to be sure the price is worth it. First, we carefully measured our couch. If your measurements don't match theirs (ours didn't), the company calls you to work out the kinks, then makes a careful pattern and cuts your cover to fit.
Was it worth the money? Ours fit so perfectly, we were tempted to buy one ourselves. That is, until we realized the $700 cover was sitting atop a $70 used couch.
Another suggestion is to purchase matching couch cushion covers, for about $50 each. The cushions then sit on top of your slipcover, further securing it in place (marathon TV-watchers will appreciate this extra measure).
Do It Yourself
There is, however, another, more cost-effective approach: Ask your slipcover company to provide you with extra fabric. SureFit sells three-yard pieces for $20-$40. Take the fabric and your cushions to your local tailor, who hopefully will create zip-up sheaths for very little money.
By far, the cheapest option is a ready-made slipcover, one that is cut to fit any shape couch. We tested three versions, one from Todo Es ($119), another from Pottery Barn ($149-$249) and a third from SureFit ($99-$179). All can be ordered online; SureFit and Todo Es (todoes.com) send, for $3-$5, about five swatch samples of the fabrics you'd like to try.
All the loose-fit covers we tried proved their name true. But with some careful tucking, they fit pretty well, and though they're not as tailored as the custom version, all transformed our living room.
And for the fickle, ready-made covers are a dream come true. "You can decide on Saturday morning to buy a yellow slipcover, a can of apple-green paint and some fresh tulips and by Sunday morning, you've got a new look," says Liana Toscanini, vice president of SureFit. "Six months later, you can change it again."
To be a savvy slipcover searcher, follow these tips: