Give Your Old Furniture a Facelift: Shopping Guide for Seriously Stylish Slipcovers

Dressing a shabby-looking sofa in a slipcover is undoubtedly one of the quickest and cheapest ways to refresh a tired piece of furniture, but drapey, sheet-like versions have given the slipcover a bad rap. Fortunately, there are some options out there working to reverse the slipcover’s reputation and show how sleek, fitted, patterned, and colorful it can be. Less expensive than re-upholstering or buying new, machine washable, and able to be changed in a matter of minutes—these modern slipcovers are the perfect furniture revamp.

Bemz specializes in custom covers specifically for IKEA furniture. Personalize your EKTORP couch in stripes, or outfit your ABELVAR headboard in a palm pattern.

The artists at Print All Over Me offer a few more options to dress up your IKEA EKTORP, including this funky style designed by Alex Proba.

The Australian company Comfort Works offers stylish covers for both IKEA and Pottery Barn couches and armchairs. You can also order a custom cover with your choice of contrast piping, pleats, and a relaxed or snug fit.

Ballard Designs has a variety of slipcover options for all of their dining chairs, couches, and ottomans. Buying a cover for each piece can get pricey, but if you have stained or worn-out pieces, it’s much less expensive to give your furniture a second life than buy brand-new. The pleated dining chair cover above is available in 30 different fabric options.

Pottery Barn is a popular source for slipcovers, and if you search through their selection of fabric, you may be surprised to find options that fit a variety of decor styles. Check out the loveseat above, outfitted with clean lines and high-contrast blue piping, and look at their “York” furniture collection in a bright poppy pattern set against a dark background.

If you still have a futon floating around from your college days or first apartment, incorporate it into your grown-up home by ordering a slipcover from Tonic Living, available in teal, gray, bright red, and a bunch of different patterns.

With its huge range of colors and fabrics, Sure Fit is one of your best bets for a secure cover. Our readers have found that the stretch fabric covers provide the snuggest fit, like the stretch suede cover above.

If you have an old POANG or HENRIKSDAL chair from IKEA sitting in your basement, give them a modern makeover with Rockin Cushions’ patterned covers. Styles range from adorable elephant motifs that march across the child-size POANG to elegant floral designs for your sophisticated dining room.

Another source for upgrading your well-worn IKEA staples, the UK-based shop Hipica Interiors sells SOLSTA sofa bed covers in 24 different hues.

And if none of the off-the-rack or IKEA-custom options are exactly what you’re looking for, find a local upholstery shop that also sews slipcovers. Bring in the piece to get measured beforehand, or be sure to provide exact measurements to ensure the best fit. It’s also helpful to show inspiration images of the style you want—like the tailored look above from Traditional Home—especially if you’re not sure of the industry terms for the exact pleats or piping you like.