No matter how much you take care of your couch, it will eventually get old and out of style. When that happens, you’ll have to rely on reupholstering, which can be quite expensive. Fortunately, couch covers offer an additional solution for homeowners that want to refresh the look and feel of their furniture.
However, despite their many benefits, couch covers have one fatal flaw — they often slip down the couch, especially when somebody sits down or stands up. That will leave your sofa looking like a bunched-up jumble instead of a stunning piece of furniture.
But that doesn’t mean you should give up on your favorite couch cover! In fact, there are many ways you can keep your cover in place. And best of all, some of these methods are DIY solutions that you can implement right away!
What Are Couch Covers?
As the name suggests, couch covers are usually pieces of fabric that go over your sofa, completely covering it. Their purpose is to refresh the appearance of your couch and protect it from damage like stains and scratches. While couch covers are usually used for protective and restorative purposes, some people also use them to fully change the color or texture of their current sofa. As a result, couch covers can help improve the look and feel of your sofa and ensure that it matches your home’s aesthetic.
Best Ways to Keep Your Couch Cover in Place
More often than not, your couch cover is unlikely to fit your sofa perfectly. Thus, the fabric might slide out of place when you sit on it. But don’t let that bring you down — as there are many ways to keep it in place without having to adjust the cover periodically. Here are just a few of the most effective and popular methods:
1. Use Velcro
When it comes to this method, you’ll need to get yourself some high-quality Velcro first from your local supply store or online. Then, you have to remove your sofa cover from its cushion and stick one side of the Velcro on it. Usually, thick fabrics only require a strip of Velcro in the middle. But if the fabric is thin and prone to slipping, you can add more pieces of Velcro in the middle.
Once that’s done, line the arms, bottom, and back of the sofa with a few lines of Velcro too. Place the couch cover onto the sofa, making sure that all sides slot in nicely and easily. You should also put some pressure on the cover to make sure that the Velcro sticks as it should.
TIP: If you want to remove the Velcro, pull it away slowly from the fabric. While regular glue will leave some residue, high-quality Velcro shouldn’t. But you should still make sure to check the packaging before purchasing.
2. Use a Wooden Spoon
Another effective DIY way to keep your cover in place is to use a wooden spoon. Start by hanging the material over your couch and pushing any excess fabric at the arms and back. Make sure that the seams align perfectly with the sofa’s structure.
Next, use a wooden spoon and press the bunched fabric as deeply as you can. You should use a wooden spoon because once you get it out, it won’t also pull out the fabric. Don’t forget to use the back of the spoon to smooth out the middle section before you push the edges into the creases. And lastly, straighten the drawstrings around the base of your couch to make sure that the whole cover is in place.
TIP: It’s best to adjust the couch cover by hand and only use the spoon to push the material into hard-to-reach places and smooth it if necessary.
3. Use a Few Old Magazines
Do you have a few old magazines and some rubber bands hanging around? Then you can use them to make sure that your couch cover isn’t going to slip away. For starters, hand the cover over your couch and push the excess fabric at the back and arms, similar to the wooden spoon method.
Afterward, roll several old magazines and tie them into a tube using rubber bands. Press the tube in between the creases in order to adjust the fabric into shape. Make sure to use a rolling action to not stretch the cover material. Keep pressing the magazines down until the cover aligns perfectly with the shape of your sofa and ensure that it is tight enough to prevent slipping.
TIP: Never use old newspapers for this method. That’s because their ink tends to leave marks that affect the color of your couch. Additionally, don’t forget to roll the magazines in order to avoid stretching the covers too much during the process.
4. Use Sofa Cover Foam Stick
As mentioned earlier, couch covers tend to slip when people get up or sit down. But you can prevent that by using specially designed foam sticks. They are round foam tubes that can increase friction between the couch cover and cushion. These items are affordable and can be purchased online.
When using sofa cover foam sticks, make sure to tuck them into every crease between the cushions and the back of the couch seat. If you can’t get cover foam sticks, you can use a foam pool noodle. All you need to do is cut them into shape and press the small pieces into the couches’ creases.
TIP: Remember that, over time, the foam tubes will start to creep out of the couch. When that happens, you can just push them back down without having to readjust your cover.
5.Use Upholstery Pins
Upholstery pins are an incredibly useful tool that can help keep your couch cover in place. First, install your sofa covers as you usually would and pull the material to get a snug fit. Then, find the resulting baggy portion of the couch cover and use some small upholstery pins to keep it in place. Bigger upholstery pins can also work, however, you should only use them for thicker fabric as they could damage thinner covers.
TIP: You can find a variety of colorful and beautiful upholstery pins that you can also use to decorate your couch. By adding them to the sides of your cover, you improve the style of your sofa while also keeping the cover from slipping. And don’t forget to take the pins off first before removing the couch cover. Otherwise, you risk damaging both your cover and the couch.
6.Use Tuck Slipcover Grips
Slipcover grips are flexible PVC grippers that help prevent your cover from shifting and slipping. They are designed to fit snugly between your sofa’s cushions and hold any type of cover tightly. And best of all, they are very easy to install and remove.
As with previous methods, you need to place your covers over your couch and push the excess fabric at the arms and back. Next, place the slipcover grips between the furniture and the seat cushion to hold the cover securely.
TIP: If the slipcover grip is too long, you can cut it using scissors. That way, you’ll end up with a couple of leftover grips, which you can add to your couch for an even tighter fit or use for other pieces of furniture.
7. Use Sew-On Hooks
This method is a bit more intrusive and requires a bit of needlework. First of all, you’ll need to purchase a few special sew-on hooks. These are designed to attach fabrics together so they don’t move around. Then, just sew one of them to the sofa’s edge and the corresponding piece to the cover and hook them together.
One of the best parts about sew-on hooks is that they are not visible after you place the cover on. As a result, your couch won’t look any different than before, and nobody will suspect that you have used sew-on hooks.
TIP: If you don’t want to sew these on yourself, you can always get a professional to do it. Furthermore, these hooks are best for coverings with taut fabrics. For other types of covers, you should consider any of the previous methods.
8. Use a Staple Gun
Sometimes, no matter how much you try, your couch cover will still slip off. If that’s the case, then maybe it’s time for a more intrusive solution. A staple gun is the ultimate weapon against couch covers that don’t stay in place. But keep in mind that you’ll have to place a soft surface below the couch cover to prevent damage during stapling.
Start by placing your couch cover on the sofa. Then, staple one side of the couch cover at a time. Do this until all four sides are stapled to the couch in order to keep them in place. Once done, remember to smooth out the cover to make it look neat and tight. Voilà, now you can enjoy your couch without having to worry about slipping covers anymore!
TIP: It’s advised to wear protective gloves and glasses when using a stapler, especially if you’ve never used one before. And keep in mind that you’ll have to remove the staples first before pulling off the cover to avoid damaging it.
The Bottom Line
Couch covers can be extremely useful. Not only can they improve the look and feel of your couch, but they can also protect it from stains. And while it’s true that sofa covers tend to slip off, there are many ways you can keep them in place. So make sure to give each one a try, and you’re bound to find one that works best for your couch cover.
