The sofa occupies a central place in the living room design, so its appearance affects the overall impression of the room. To protect furniture upholstery from dirt, abrasions and other consequences of everyday use, special capes and covers are used. The functionality of such accessories is not limited to protection; a blanket for a sofa is also an excellent decorative element that allows you to change the style of the interior and place the necessary accents. In terms of importance, a cape for upholstered furniture is equal to curtains: with its help you can emphasize the originality of the design, create a special mood and a cozy atmosphere, so you need to approach the choice of product responsibly and thoroughly.
Why sofa covers are in demand
A sofa cover significantly extends the service life of the upholstery of its cushions, armrests and back, and it also protects from dust and stains. In addition, beautiful fabric bedspreads with fashionable prints and various patterns can be the finishing touch to the appearance of a room designed in a particular design style.
New bedspreads are presented in the catalog - from a photo of a bedspread for a sofa, made in a certain interior, you can easily understand whether this cover will suit the decor of your own home.
How to choose a quality product
Bedspreads and capes must cope equally well with protective and decorative functions, be durable and wear-resistant. Therefore, the question of how to choose a blanket for a sofa is very important. The main criteria to follow:
- Coloring - matches the color scheme and the general style of the room.
- The fabric is pleasant to the touch, easy to care for, practical, preference should be given to natural materials.
- Dimensions - ideal for furniture parameters.
If children live in the apartment or there are pets, you should choose dark covers made of durable fabrics that are easy to care for and wear-resistant.
It is also necessary to take into account the purpose of using the cape, the time of year, and the characteristics of the room. A luxurious fur throw will look out of place in a small room with tulle curtains. A dark tapestry is not suitable for a Provence style living room. It is better to lay warm throws on sofas made of fur or wool in winter, and replace them with light silk or cotton products in summer. The advantage of using such accessories is the ability to easily change the design to suit your mood or time of year.
Compliance with the overall design style of the room
The fabric is pleasant to the touch, easy to care for, practical
Dimensions suitable for furniture parameters
General rules for choosing sofa covers
Having decided to buy bedspreads for upholstered furniture, you should know how to choose the right bedspread for an armchair and sofa. As for the quality of textiles and fabric patterns that are organic to a specific interior, there will be no difficulties - capes are presented in a wide range.
Capes are purchased in styles, colors and sizes that will correspond to the intended role of the blanket: for example, bedspreads made of silky, smooth fabrics are good as an element of decoration, and if the furniture is actively used, then practical tapestry, flock, acrylic, velor are preferable.
Design nuances
As you can see in the photo of a hand-sewn sofa cover, it usually consists of several rectangular elements that should completely cover the surface of the upholstery.
The role of the retainer is traditionally performed by elastic bands, cords or braid. To add elegance and sophistication, details such as frills and ribbons tied into bows are used.
On the Internet you can easily find a large assortment of patterns for sewing a sofa cover with your own hands.
Therefore, if you decide to start sewing such “protection” of furniture yourself, you will not have problems choosing a suitable pattern.
Basic criteria for choosing capes
To ensure that bedspreads for upholstered furniture fit into the theme of the overall style of the room, do not seem like a visually unnecessary element, and at the same time become an organic and integral part of the design, it is recommended to pay attention to the following criteria:
Color scheme for the walls - to go with bright wallpaper, it is better to buy a plain blanket, or with a pattern that matches them in color; if the walls are neutral and the wallpaper is without a pattern, almost any blanket will do.
In a children's room, where all the interior items are in light colors, it would be appropriate to buy a bright bedspread with a print depicting the child's favorite cartoon characters.
In a classic style, fur capes in natural shades will be harmonious; if the design of the room is colonial, then velvet bedspreads are perfect.
The quality and properties of the fabric - the ergonomics of the bedspread depends on the material, so the fabric is selected based on the purpose of the room.
For the living room and children's room, it is worth purchasing, for example, solid tapestry capes or ones made using the patchwork technique (sewn from scraps) - that is, resistant to shedding, fading under the influence of sunlight and external mechanical influence.
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If small children and pets live in the apartment, capes made of thick fabrics are recommended.
Bedspreads for upholstered furniture should be easily washed from any dirt.
Covers should, if possible, match the size of armchairs and sofas - in order to emphasize their shapes and not visually “clutter” the room. Dimensions are especially important if it is a bedspread for a corner sofa.
Having decided what to follow when choosing covers for a soft set, you can go shopping and choose suitable bedspreads based on their purpose in your apartment.
Cut options
Capes differ not only in color and material, the designs are also different. The following models are popular:
- Bedspreads are rectangular in shape and standard size. They can cover a sofa, armchair, bed, or hide while sleeping. They are made from different materials and come in a wide variety of colors.
- Blankets are one of the options for capes. Such products are sewn from acrylic, fleece, wool, microfiber, in different sizes and colors. If you choose the right blanket for your sofa, it will not only protect the upholstery, but will also become an interior decoration. Soft, fluffy and warm, it can also be used as a rug or blanket.
- Covers with elastic are convenient for active use of the sofa, as well as in a house where there are children. The products do not slip and do not need to be constantly adjusted.
- Stretch covers - designed for corner sofas and furniture of non-standard shape, sewn to order. Most often they consist of several elements: for the seat, armrests, backrest. One of the variations of this model is Euro covers made of elastic fabric. They are universal, suitable for sofas of different sizes, as they can stretch.
Capes and blankets usually cover only the seat and back, leaving the armrests exposed. In some cases, they can partially cover the upholstery, the main thing is that there is harmony in color. If you know how to beautifully cover a sofa, you can choose an oversized bedspread. It will hang down to the floor, cover the armrests or even the back surface of the backrest. Sometimes it is thrown at an angle or diagonally.
Criteria for choosing a sofa in the living room, the best solutions, placement options
Carpets for sofas and armchairs, the so-called sofa decks, are also popular. They are sewn from dense but pleasant-to-touch fabric; they usually use dark colors with patterns, so dirt on such coverings is hardly noticeable.
Carpets are not suitable for all interior styles - they look best in a rustic or ethnic style.
Cover
Plaid
Cape with elastic band
Tension cover
Divandecks
Purpose of sofa covers - nuances of choice
Based on the role of bedspreads for upholstered furniture in a given room, nuances must be taken into account.
So that the furniture does not get dirty, the hair of cats and dogs does not stick to it, and pets do not tear it with their claws - chairs and sofas are protected with capes, therefore - they must be made of dense, durable fabric that can be easily washed and dried in a few hours.
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If the purpose of the bedspread is to decorate the room, emphasize the features of the interior design, or become a bright accenting element of a certain area of the room (for example, in a studio apartment), it should be chosen by color and pattern.
If upholstered furniture is used intensively every day, the covers for armchairs and sofas must be very durable - neither become thin nor have decor in the form of fringe, stripes, etc.
In addition, brocade and silk, for example, are not suitable for these purposes - they are beautiful, but such capes tend to slide off pieces of furniture - they will be extremely inconvenient to use.
Decoration
You can decorate the finished case with the following things:
- frills;
- bows;
- ribbons;
- stripes;
- applique.
It is appropriate to decorate the armrests with a decorative cord. And to focus attention on the lower part of the product, it is optimal to use a wide braid.
Covers can be used not only to preserve the newness of purchased furniture, but also to enhance old ones.
In addition, they also serve as interior decoration. Even a novice needlewoman can handle sewing them. The main thing is to have desire, imagination and patience.What to do when visiting a store
In order to quickly make a purchase and leave satisfied, having arrived for covers for your favorite armchairs and sofa (or starting to order them on an online trading platform), it is recommended to act methodically (step by step) according to the algorithm:
- find bedspreads that suit the size of home upholstered furniture;
- From the models that are suitable in size, note those that you like in color;
- from capes suitable in size and color - select the ones you want by design;
- from everything selected - evaluate the materials from which the capes are made;
- compare the selected models by price (the cost can be “plus or minus”, the main factors here are the pleasant texture of the fabric and the decor that suits your taste).
Patchwork bedspread
Patchwork is a fairly popular modern style in decoration, which involves combining several patches of different colors and patterns into one whole.
A patchwork-style bedspread will become not only a useful thing in the house, but also part of the interior decoration.
In order to sew such a wonderful thing, you will need not one piece of fabric, but several different square scraps. Typically, a set of five to ten pieces is used for sewing.
So, the order of work.
- Imagine what your blanket should look like as a result. Just above is a pattern diagram. The bedspread in this particular example, as you can see, consists of six pieces, laid out in a certain order, which form a diamond pattern.
- For ease of sewing, place the scraps in front of you according to color in a stack, which you place in the order of stitching.
- Start stitching patches 1 to 6 together on a sewing machine in the prescribed order.
- Complete the row following the pattern.
- Sew all rows separately.
- Now you can start sewing them together. Don’t forget to check their order and compliance with the pattern.
- Since the bedspread is large, it will be more convenient to stitch one half of it first, and then the other. Then sew everything together.
- Thus, your upper part is already ready.
- Take a large, single piece of fabric that is slightly larger than the stitched top layer of the bedspread.
- You can use an additional layer of insulation.
- Sew together the top patchwork layer and the bottom layer, as in the case of a simple bedspread.
The patchwork blanket is ready. It will look approximately the same as in the photo.
Options for cape prints offered by manufacturers
There are bedspreads on sale in any color - with traditional tapestry prints, floral and ethnic patterns, children's themes (including for boys and girls, as well as by age categories of children), etc.
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Many models are produced for different design styles - Provence, classic, hi-tech, minimalism, etc., and ordinary plain capes, professionally hemmed - factory-made high-quality products that during use will only require the correct washing and drying conditions.
How to beautifully put a blanket, cape or blanket on the sofa
It is not necessary to use traditional methods of covering furniture. You can place it completely, covering the entire surface of the sofa, or place it only on the seat or back.
A plaid can complement upholstered furniture in any interior style, be it Provence, country, classic, maritime, Scandinavian, boho, ethno-style or others.
Designers offer a new solution that helps place the cape in an unusual way. This is to put it at an angle. If the sofa is corner, then you need to use either two bedspreads or a custom-made cover. If the cape also serves as a blanket or is purely aesthetic, then you can casually lay it on the back and lightly fill the seat with fabric.
In a classic interior, carpets or tapestry, velvet, thin satin, silk bedspreads, embroidered with golden threads or decorated with luxurious ornaments are appropriate.
What style of bedspread do you prefer?
Depending on the age of the furniture, with the help of a cover you can emphasize its elegance, advantages, features or, on the contrary, hide its shortcomings by decorating scuffs and stains that cannot be washed off. Model options:
A traditional cut bedspread is universal: you can throw it over the sofa and cover yourself with it when you want to take a nap. Available in fabrics of different densities.
A tension cover (a cover secured with an elastic band) is a rational solution for corner sofas. The assortment always includes models made from waterproof materials - this is practical in the kitchen, when feeding small children, when the furniture is used intensively (the bedspread does not get knocked down, does not wrinkle).
Blanket blanket - at night you can use it as a blanket, placing it in a duvet cover, and turn it into a decorative cape in the morning.
Sequence of actions when sewing a cover
Here are the standard instructions for “sewing sofa covers with your own hands”:
- Take the necessary measurements of the armrests, backrest, and seat.
- Create a pattern and calculate how much fabric you will need. Don't forget to take seam allowances into account.
- Transfer all the details from the paper to the material and cut it out.
- Connect the elements together using a stitch. Try on the product. Adjust it to the dimensions of the furniture.
- After adjustments, remove excess fabric, leaving only seam allowances. Overcast and sew the edges using an overlocker.
- Wash the finished product in warm water and iron.
- turn it inside out and use chalk to mark the line of the elastic band;
- fix the elastic along the markings using pins;
- sew on a sewing machine, selecting a three-step seam in its settings.
Recommendations for fabrics for sofa covers
Depending on the purpose of the bedspread, choose the fabric:
- cotton – “breathes”, hypoallergenic, absorbs moisture well;
- microfiber – pleasant to the touch, not subject to shedding or deformation, wear-resistant;
- satin – has visual sophistication, is durable, does not wrinkle, is hypoallergenic;
- satin is hygroscopic, durable, but can stretch over time;
- fur is cozy, replaces a blanket, adds luxury to the room;
- linen is in fashion, will not shrink even with frequent washing, is durable, but wrinkles a lot;
- velvet and velor - look luxurious, but collect dust;
- tapestry is an ideal option for any room (even a kitchen, even a living room), is color-resistant, has a lot of weight (does not form folds, does not slide off surfaces);
- flock is soft and velvety, optimal for houses with cats - traces of animal claws will be invisible.
How to care for sofa upholstery?
Take weekly steps to maintain the appearance of your sofa. The most common is dry cleaning with a vacuum cleaner or soft brush. We recommend wet cleaning once every two months (most modern fabrics tolerate moisture well). Go over the surface with a damp sponge (use a cleaner if necessary) and then thoroughly vacuum all parts of the sofa. Regardless of the type of fabric, we do not recommend using folk remedies for cleaning upholstered furniture, such as alcohol, acid, solvent, or gasoline. Experience shows that these substances are better used for other purposes. If a stain appears, blot it as quickly as possible with dry wipes or any fabric that absorbs liquid well. The stain should be removed using light circular movements from the edge of the stain to the center. After cleaning, woven upholstery should dry naturally. Do not use a hair dryer or heater.
Individual care features for certain types of fabric
FLOCK
We advise you not to scrape off dried stains or stuck together pile of material! Remove stains using a foam sponge with soapy foam and blot with a dry cloth. To remove fresh grease stains, treat with a small amount of water and mild soap, wait 2-3 minutes and scrub the stain using a circular motion with a sponge or soft brush. Thoroughly dry the clean, damp surface of the furniture and restore the pile by combing it in the existing direction. Flock is contraindicated in products based on alcohol and solvents. Exclusively water-based and gentle composition.
VELOURS
We advise you not to use cleaning products containing strong chemicals or petroleum-based solvents. Do not squeeze or bleach. General cleaning procedure: treat the contaminated area of furniture with a small amount of water (up to 40 ° C) and mild soap; after 2-3 minutes, wipe off the stain with a sponge; dry the surface; iron with an iron and steamer through the fabric (temperature up to 150 °C). Remove severe contamination using water-based cleaning agents.
Jacquard
Does not tolerate water well, so we recommend dry cleaning. Oily and wet stains are easy to remove if you apply a well-absorbent towel to them.
GOZHKA
Clean with a vacuum cleaner or brush, stains are removed with water. Do not wash the matting or use solvents or bleaches on it.
In order for your sofa to please your eyes, and its upholstery to remain beautiful and chic over a long time, you must adhere to several important rules: follow the instructions specified by the manufacturer, carry out regular maintenance and clean upholstered furniture from dust using a vacuum cleaner, try to remove it promptly To remove stains that have appeared, you should not experiment with the simultaneous use of various stain removers and abuse the chemical treatment of fabric.
Bedspread size options
Depending on the sofa model, you can buy:
- one-and-a-half bedspread (140 x 200 cm);
- double (170 x 210 cm or 180 x 200 cm);
- euro standard (200 (220, 240) x 220 (240, 260) cm - respectively).
Wisely chosen bedspreads for upholstered furniture will make your home cozy, beautiful, and provide a comfortable rest.
Recommendations for caring for the bedspread
Sofa bedspreads are made from textiles of various textures and compositions. The included instructions usually contain all the care information. Along with individual rules, there are a number of general recommendations for preserving the appearance of the product:
- most bedspreads can be hand or machine washed at a water temperature of 40ºC;
- drying of products is carried out in a straightened form, preferably on a horizontal surface;
- It is better to entrust the cleaning of fur blankets to dry cleaning. Tangled fibers will straighten out and remain soft;
- bedspreads should not be ironed;
- to get rid of dust accumulations, textiles are shaken in the air or simply vacuumed;
- for long-term storage, the product is carefully folded and placed in the original packaging or on a free shelf in the cabinet;
- For a pleasant smell, you can place a textile fragrance or an empty perfume bottle in the folds of the bedspread.
