Using Slipcovers
An easy and often affordable way to change the look of an upholstered piece of furniture is a slipcover. Not only can you change the color or fabric, these nifty fixes are easy to launder. With a busy household of children and pets, using slipcovers is a great alternative. Welcome to our monthly DIY blog hop and the focus for April is Furniture. At the end of my blog, please continue reading to see what the other talented ladies are contributing.
Yard Sale Find
Last year, I scored 4 fabulous Parsons chairs at a yard sale for $50. The lines and scale of the chairs are exactly what I am looking for in our dining room. However, the yellow buffalo check did not match at all. And the chairs are badly stained.
As you can see in the photo below, this yellow checked fabric DOES NOT go with the color scheme or formality in the dining room.
Since I did not want to go to the expense of re-upholstering four chairs, AND I did want a similar style to the existing chairs, slipcovers are a great option…especially for a dining chair.
Finding the right dimensions and color
You would think there is a standard Parsons chair size, but I can confirm that is not true. Measuring is key here. Make sure you measure, measure and measure again. Since I did purchase the two camelback upholstered chairs from Ballard Design for the ends of the table, I am looking for a similar white fabric. As you know, there are a million shades of white.
Ballard Designs does send fabric samples with the content and care of each. I do not want a fabric I will have to dry clean so I narrow my search to twill, which is 100% cotton.
Looking at the fabric samples in different light during the day, the Super White twill is the winner. Now I carefully watch for sales and discounts (as Ballard Design is frequently having sales) in order to obtain the best price possible.
In the meantime, the yellow checked fabric on the chairs is cleaned with our handy, dandy Bissell Little Green machine (best purchase EVER!). When the slipcovers arrive, I am so happy that they fit perfectly! Now it is time to put on the slipcovers.
Using a hand held fabric steamer I am able to easily get the packing wrinkles out and tightly secure these slipcovers. Amazingly, they fit like a glove.
Cost Savings
Below is a cost comparison of purchasing slipcovers vs. buying new chairs.
Yard Sale Chairs (4) $50.00 vs. 4 newly purchased Parson chair frames $988
Twill Slipcovers (4) $177 (sale) vs. upholstery ?
Total cost: $ 227.00 / $69.25 per chair vs. $291.25 per chair (new)
I love the look of these smart, white, crisp chairs around our dark dining room table.
Laundering
If someone were to spill something on the chair during a meal, I can just take it off and throw it in the washing machine. With twill, I can use a stain remover too. You also have the option of using a Scotch Guard product for extra protection.
We love slipcovers here at Bella Terra because of the wear and tear on our furniture from our family and pets. Do you use slipcovers? Now off to the DIY Blog hop!
If you like this post, please share on Pinterest.
Andrea from Design Morsels shows how to Update Furniture without Paint.
Chas from Chas Crazy Creations is sharing her Reclaimed Wood Dining Table and Chairs.
Kim from Shiplap & Shells makes a 100-year old cabinet into the perfect bedroom built in here.
Niky from The House on Silverado makes an Easy Makeover with Paint on her kitchen bar stools.
Tarah from Grandma’s House DIY makes a custom hickory workbench and shelves.
Kippi from Kippi at Home demonstrated a DIY chair upholstery project here.
I hope you enjoy all these great furniture DIY ideas! If you have time, please leave a comment as we all love those!
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Love the final result! Long a fan of slipcovers — all my living room pieces were bought when I lived in NYC in the 90s. I had all the down cushions and frames slip-covered with white cotton canvas. Six dogs later and at least 20 years since I bought them — they are still going strong! Wash them with a wee bit of bleach and perfect every time. I also use Nature’s Miracle for spot cleaning any spills or accidents. The big overstuffed chair does need new slipcovers — the Brittany Spaniel rescue loved pawing the cushions to make her bed — so when the time is right I’ll get that done.
That little upholstery cleaner looks interesting. It might be something for my office chairs. I’ll have to check that out. Your dining room looks so warm and inviting. I think the use of slipcovers is the frosting on the cake.
Tanya, I love slipcovers too. With 3 children and a menagerie of pets, my white/light slipcovers are still going strong. Now that it appears I may have ruined the linen sofa in the living room with the recent flood, I may just have a slip cover made for that. I like the easy look of them, and of course the easy care. Nature’s Miracle is really good for getting out pet stains, right? We love the little green Bissell….use it all the time. You can’t go wrong with it. Thanks for your terrific comment.
I’m excited to share this beautiful post with my followers tomorrow on my weekend round up post! It’s such a great idea!
Kristin, thank you for sharing my slipcover post. You are the best!
FANTASTIC BUY!
GREAT OUTCOME!
La Contessa, Yes, it was a very good score indeed!
Mary, the slipcovers look amazing! And what a deal. Blessings to you.
Getting a bargain and then having them look good is an extra bonus!
Love your slip covers and how classy they look. I love that they can be removed and washed too. There are always spills right? Thanks for sharing
The best yard sale find Mary! I love how you broke it out by cost. This is such a lovely project and your dining room has my heart. It is so gorgeous, Pinned and pinned again. You always inspire me, my friend.
Kim, thank you so much for your sweet comments. So appreciated!
What a great yardsale find! And I love that you were able to make them work perfectly in your lovely dining room with simple slipcovers! I didn’t even know Ballard had slipcovers! Thanks for this great idea! Pinned!
Niky @ The House on Silverado
PS. I’d love for you to share this great idea at the Sundays on Silverado link party!
Niky, yes, please share any post you’d like! The slipcovers are a great quality too.
Wow! Your Parson’s chairs were a fantastic bargain. I adore white slipcovers!
Happy spring,
Kippi
Those chairs are such a great find. I love Ballard so much and I agree slip covers are the best. We have a slip covered sofa and with pets I feel like it’s a must. I like yours because they fit so well they LOOK like upholstery. Happy Easter to you!