The Great Slipcover Comeback

by CHRISTOPHER HURTON
A slipcover isn’t a new invention. They’ve been around for decades, gracing the homes of thrifty people everywhere. For awhile, they fell out of favor for some. However, they are making a big comeback in recent years.
At first, a slipcover was mostly a utilitarian device. They were meant to protect your furniture from the spills, dirt, and wear of daily living. People would buy an ugly one to keep their furniture looking like new. To show the designs and colors of their furniture, they would often use a plastic slipcover to guard the couch or chair from any damage that could happen to it. These plastic covers were fairly durable for the purpose they for which they were designed. However, using a plastic cover meant the person sitting on the furniture was bound to be uncomfortable. You would stick to it anywhere your skin touched it. If your home wasn’t air conditioned, which many weren’t in those days, they were even more uncomfortable. They also tended to show wear by becoming opaque where they once were transparent. This cloudy look did nothing for the visual impact of the furniture. They were easily washed, but that was about the only good thing that could be said about them. Then, too, there was a type of slipcover that was made of stiff fabric to go over the couch, loveseat, or chair. This kind of cover was at least made of more attractive material. Yet, the cover didn’t usually fit the piece of furniture very well. This resulted in a bunchy or saggy appearance. So, people decided, for the most part, that slipcover solutions were not for them. They went back to buying furniture more often, or just making due with the raggedly furniture they had. That was before the great slipcover comeback. With the advent of stretch slipcovers, they once again are becoming more popular. This type of cover allows you to get a great fit for nearly any type of furniture. There is no loose material bagging around the edges. What’s more, the new covers come in an array of designer colors and fabrics. The day is past when a slipcover is only used to protect your furniture. Now they are used to cover up worn or stained furniture. They are also used for beautiful home décor. Now that a slipcover is a more attractive purchase to make, many people are ready to get them. When they see the prices, they will be pleasantly surprised, and they will be almost certain to add to the comeback.