Slipcovers are a great way to protect your sofa or give it a new look without buying a whole new piece of furniture. But, for a slipcover to fit well, you need to measure your sofa properly. A poorly fitted slipcover can look messy and won’t stay in place. With the right measurements, you’ll get a snug, stylish fit that enhances the overall look of your space.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to measure your sofa for a slipcover step by step. Accuracy is key to getting a slipcover that fits like a glove.
Why You Need Accurate Measurements
Slipcovers should fit your sofa well to ensure a clean, tailored appearance. When you measure correctly, you avoid the issues of loose or tight slipcovers, which can affect comfort and durability. Here’s why proper measurements are essential:
- Proper fit: The right slipcover will fit snugly and stay in place.
- Clean appearance: A well-fitted cover looks smooth, without excess fabric.
- Comfort: When the slipcover fits right, it doesn’t interfere with the feel of the couch.
- Protection: A good fit ensures full coverage, protecting your couch from spills, dirt, and wear.
Now, let’s walk through the process of measuring your sofa for a slipcover.
Tools You’ll Need
Before starting, gather a few simple tools:
- Flexible measuring tape
- Paper and pen for notes
These are all you’ll need to measure your sofa accurately.
Step 1: Measure the Width of the Sofa
The width is one of the most critical measurements. It’s the distance from one armrest to the other. This measurement will help ensure that the slipcover can wrap fully around your sofa.
- How to measure: Stretch your tape measure across the front of the sofa, from the outside edge of one armrest to the outside edge of the other.
- Tip: If your couch has curved or wide arms, make sure to follow the contour to get an accurate measurement.
This width measurement ensures the slipcover has enough fabric to cover the entire width of the sofa without leaving gaps or pulling too tightly.
Common Sofa Widths:
- Loveseat: 48 to 70 inches
- Standard Sofa: 70 to 96 inches
- Large or Sectional Sofa: 96 inches or more
Step 2: Measure the Depth of the Sofa
The depth of the sofa is the distance from the front of the seat cushion to the backrest. This measurement helps make sure the slip cover covers the seat cushions and doesn’t leave any extra fabric hanging.
- How to measure: Start at the front edge of the seat cushion and extend the tape measure toward the backrest.
- Tip: Make sure to measure over any attached seat cushions, as these contribute to the couch’s overall depth.
Accurate depth measurements help ensure the slipcover fits the seat and back cushions without bunching or pulling.
Common Sofa Depths:
- 30 to 42 inches
Step 3: Measure the Height of the Sofa
The height is another important measurement. This is the vertical distance from the floor to the top of the couch’s backrest.
- How to measure: Place the tape measure on the floor next to the sofa and pull it upward to the highest point of the backrest.
- Tip: Include any attached cushions in this measurement since the slipcover needs to cover the entire height.
The height measurement helps ensure that the slip cover covers the back of the sofa completely.
Common Sofa Heights:
- 30 to 40 inches
Step 4: Measure the Arms of the Sofa
Sofa arms come in many shapes and sizes. You’ll need to measure both the height and width of the arms to ensure a good fit for the slipcover.
- Arm height: Measure from the base of the arm (where it meets the seat cushion) to the top.
- Arm width: Measure across the widest part of the armrest.
These measurements are especially important if your couch has oversized or uniquely shaped arms.
Common Arm Measurements:
- Arm Height: 6 to 9 inches
- Arm Width: 4 to 12 inches
Step 5: Measure the Cushion Sizes (If Needed)
Some slipcovers are designed to cover individual cushions. If yours is, you’ll need to measure each cushion separately.
- Cushion width: Metering across the cushion from one side to the other.
- Cushion depth: Metering from the front of the cushion to the back.
- Cushion height: Metering the thickness of the cushion from top to bottom.
These metering ensure that the cushion covers fit snugly.
Step 6: Measure the Sofa’s Back
Depending on the style of slipcover you choose, you may also need to measure the back of the sofa. This is especially important for sofas with a high or low back.
- Back height: Measure from the top of the backrest to the point where it meets the seat cushions.
- Back width: Measure from one side of the backrest to the other, at its widest point.
These measurements help ensure that the slipcover fits over the back of the couch smoothly.
Step 7: Measure the Skirt or Floor Clearance
If you want the slipcover to reach the floor, or if your sofa has a skirt, you’ll need to measure the distance from the base of the couch to the ground.
- How to metering: Start at the base of the couch (just above the legs or feet) and extend the tape metering to the floor.
- Tip: Some slipcovers have adjustable lengths, so check the product details to ensure you get the look you want.
This measurement ensures that the slipcover covers the legs or touches the floor if desired.
Types of Slipcovers and Their Fit
Slipcovers come in different styles, each fitting differently based on the couch’s shape and dimensions. Here are the main types:
- One-piece slipcovers: These cover the entire sofa with one piece of fabric and usually have ties or elastic for adjusting the fit.
- Stretch slipcovers: Made from stretchy fabric, these slipcovers conform to the shape of your couch and provide a snug, sleek fit.
- Separate cushion slipcovers: Some slipcovers come with individual pieces for each cushion, offering a more tailored look.
- Custom slipcovers: If your couch has an unusual shape or size, a custom-made slipcover is the best option for a precise fit.
Choosing the right type of slip cover depends on the shape of your couch and how tight or loose you want the cover to fit.
Tips for a Perfect Fit
Here are some additional tips to help you get a slipcover that fits well:
- Use slipcover grips: Grips or tucking tools can help secure the fabric in place, preventing it from slipping.
- Adjust ties or elastic: Many slipcovers come with ties or elastic that allow you to tighten the cover for a snugger fit.
- Smooth wrinkles: After placing the slipcover on your couch, smooth out any wrinkles or bunches to ensure a clean look. A fabric steamer can help remove stubborn wrinkles.
- Consider the fabric: Stretchy fabrics, like spandex blends, are more forgiving and can adjust to slight variations in couch size. Non-stretch fabrics like cotton require more precise measurements.
Common Slipcover Mistakes to Avoid
While metering your couch, try to avoid these common mistakes:
- Skipping the cushions: Don’t forget to meter any seat and back cushions separately if your slipcover has individual pieces for them.
- Ignoring the arms: Failing to meter the arms can lead to a slipcover that’s too tight or too loose in that area.
- Not considering curves: Couchs with curves, slopes, or oversized arms need extra attention to ensure the metering is accurate.
- Forgetting floor clearance: If you want your slipcover to drape to the floor, make sure to measure from the base of the sofa to the ground.
Conclusion
Metering your couch for a slipcover may seem daunting, but following these steps will make the process easy and accurate. With the right measurements, you can find a slipcover that fits well, stays in place, and enhances the look of your couch.
Whether you’re covering an old couch to give it new life or simply protecting a new one, taking the time to metering properly will ensure a successful and stylish outcome. Once your slipcover is in place, your living room will have a refreshed and polished look, all without the cost of buying a new couch.