Sofas are a big expense when it comes to furnishing a living room, especially since they receive the most wear and tear in a house, second only to beds. It’s pricey to replace a sofa when you’re no longer in love with its look, but a sofa slipcover is a stylish way to update your sofa (and living room) on a budget.

Sofa slipcovers fit right over your sofa and, with some tucks around corners and fastening, before you know it, you have a brand new couch. The possibilities are endless when it comes to materials, patterns, colors, and styles — so whether you’re looking for a quick fix or an affordable makeover, a sofa slipcover is a worthwhile investment. In fact, some people purchase more than one and rotate them seasonally.

You can breathe new life into a faithful old piece of furniture with a sofa slipcover. We’ve assembled a buying guide covering all the styles, options, and materials to choose from so you can pick the perfect slipcover to complement your decor.

Sofa slipcovers are an affordable room makeover option. They’re also ideal protective covers for families with children, as they help minimize sofa damage from spills and messes. Pet owners are also fans of sofa slipcovers, as they keep hair and outside dirt off the surface of the sofa. They’re ideal for those who are housebreaking new pets, too, as bathroom training can take a toll on all household surfaces.

When it comes to finding a well-fitted slipcover, you’ll need your sofa’s exact measurements. The average sofa slipcover is designed to fit sofas between 72 and 92 inches, and there are extra-large styles to accommodate sofas between 95 and 118 inches. Most manufacturers have easy-to-read size tables to help you select the correct size.

Cleaning cost: Some slipcovers are machine washable, but others require dry cleaning. It’s an ongoing expense to consider when choosing a sofa slipcover.

Not waterproof: Sofa slipcovers protect your sofa from spills and stains — but not completely, as they’re made from porous fabric. If you want serious water resistance, you’ll need to treat your sofa slipcover with a water-repellent spray.

Cost of new pillows: Depending on the color or pattern of your new slipcover, you may need to spend money on new pillows or pillowcases to match.

Shifting: Upholstered furniture is naturally taut, but slipcovers aren’t since they’re not permanently attached to the sofa. As a result, there will be some shifting and wrinkling of the fabric when you sit on them.

Sofa slipcovers come in different colors, patterns, and textures. Solid colors are the most popular type of slipcovers, as they’re easiest to match with an already decorated room. There’s usually a smaller selection when it comes to patterned slipcovers, but they still include a decent assortment of florals, damask, stripes, and tapestry prints. Texturized styles are typically seen in solid colors. They have geometric shapes, honeycombs, or stripes to give the slipcover more depth.

Stretchy: Sofa slipcovers made of stretchy material are the easiest to put on and take off. They’re manufactured with blends of polyester, spandex, and Lycra.

Cotton/canvas: Slipcovers made of cotton or canvas tend to have a high level of structure and integrity. These styles often have seams that match those of the sofa, so the fit is better. However, since there’s no elasticity to improve the fit, these styles often rely on buttons, ties, or Velcro straps to be fastened into place around the corners of your sofa.

Upholstery: Upholstery slipcovers are made of the same heavily woven materials as traditional upholstered sofas. They fit over sofas in the same way as cotton and canvas covers, but may have more of a draped style. Upholstery slipcovers tend to blend in more easily with uncovered furniture in a room.

Slipcovers generally come in two styles, single-piece or multi-piece. Single-piece styles are more affordable, as their construction is made up of basic panels that form a single large cover. The fit in these styles can be hit-and-miss, however.

Multi-piece styles are more expensive, as the set covers individual parts of the sofa. These sets are typically made of dedicated covers for the cushions and the main couch section. There could be anywhere from two to six pieces in a set, depending on the shape of your couch and the number of cushions. The fit of multi-piece slipcovers is generally better than single-piece alternatives due to their more intricate construction.

Sofa slipcovers will run you between $30 and $250. Since they’re all roughly the same size, the price variance depends on the quality of the material and the overall fit.

Budget sofa slipcovers cost $30 to $50. Slipcovers in this price range are typically made of stretchy material and are usually machine washable. They’re modest and protect against minor messes, but the fabric is thin and sometimes looks chintzy.

Slipcovers priced from $50 to $100 will be made of better materials. That means they’ll usually require dry cleaning, which is an ongoing cost to consider. Fit is a bit better at this price point, especially in styles that use textiles similar to traditional upholstery.

If you’re willing to spend a little more, between $100 and $250, you’ll find the best fit available. Some slipcovers in this range come with more than once piece for a more customized fit, and they sometimes include matching pillows. There are also value packs available that include more than one slipcover for multi-sofa setups.

• Carefully measure your sofa before buying. Take accurate measurements of your sofa to avoid the unsightly look of an ill-fitting slipcover.
• Update throw pillows to match. When you get a new sofa slipcover, it’s likely you’ll need to update its throw pillows. If your new slipcover has a pattern, opt for bright solids to make accent colors pop. If the slipcovers is a solid color, choose bold patterns for the pillows to add some pizzazz.
• Avoid washing with fabric softener. If your sofa slipcover has spandex or Lycra in its blend, avoid fabric softener and just use normal detergent. Fabric softener causes these materials to retain moisture and attract mold.

We like the fun design of the Subrtex Spandex Slipcover One-Piece Protector. In addition to the quality construction of this flexible, breathable slipcover, the fabric is eco-friendly and suitable for sensitive skin. It’s easy to clean and maintain this machine washable, fade-resistant slipcover. The double stitching detail is attractive, and as it’s in a contrast color, there is a pop of simple elegance in eggshell that plays off the pale leaves of the slipcover pattern.

It’s easy to give your room a makeover with the Home Fashion Designs Printed Twill Sofa Slipcover. Available in six solids and seven damask colors, this cover lets you coordinate and customize any space. This slipcover fits sofas like a glove, thanks to its unique blend of polyester and spandex for a stretchy, tight fit. The material is ultra-durable and holds up to plenty of love and living from families, friends, and pets. It’s strapless and slip-resistant with an elasticized bottom, so it won’t buckle or wrinkle.

Q. Do I need to dry clean my sofa slipcover?
A. It depends on the material. Manufacturers should provide recommended care and cleaning instructions, but if you don’t see fabric care information, ask before you buy. Most heavyweight, shrink-prone fabrics like cotton or canvas may require dry cleaning to retain their size as well as their color. Some lightweight slipcovers made of spandex and polyester are thin and fade-resistant, so they’re usually machine washable. With these slipcovers, you may need to line dry them, however, as not all of them respond well to tumble drying.

Q. Should I purchase more than one sofa slipcover?
A. It’s a smart move, even if you only use the second one as a spare when you’re washing the first. Having a replacement on hand is also a good idea in the event the slipcover tears and needs replacement. That way, your sofa won’t be exposed to wear and tear while you’re shopping for a new one. If you like to have a seasonal set up in your living room, you may wish to buy coordinating slipcovers to match the season or holiday. Spring and summer are ideal for cool shades and patterns, whereas warmer tones are perfect for fall and winter months.