Vintage Home Furniture

Would you spend $1,000 on custom slipcovers for 18 year old furniture?

I have two cats and need something washable but I want it to look nice. I would really like new furniture but I can't stand the cat hair all over it. Does anyone have the sure fit covers? How do they look?

Public Comments

1. i would if the furniture was really good furniture. I do have a sure fit cover and it's great, they have many different styles. also, use a fabric dryer sheet and wipe it over the cat hair--it will pick up a lot of it.
2. I love mine they work great especially if you got kids and cats.
3. Doesn't sound like a good investment. Look around for a local seamstress who can make slip covers.
4. I don't think the slipcovers are worth it. I understand your issue w/ your cats - I have two myself. However, that's just a part of having pets. What type of couches do you currently have? For that amount I would suggest getting new couches - with microfiber fabric. This is the most durable and liveable fabric for pet owners. All you would have to do is occassionally run a lint roller over the couch and every once in a while maybe vaccum it - but it's not much more work and slip covers are just a hassle. They don't stay on well, they slip - hence the term slip cover - they are overrated and don't make your furniture look good at all. Get new couches for your money - microfiber. Running a lint roller over your couch isn't much work - it's probably less work than washing and drying and ironing your slipcovers and having to put them back on your couches.
5. I guess I would have to consider the condition of this furniture. If the sofa is sagging, smelly, and the cushions are misshapen, I think I would rather have new furniture with less expensive slip covers. On the other hand, if the furniture is in good condition and you just want to update the look of it, maybe it would be a good idea to splurge on nice covers. Are they washable? I have a long haired cat and I usually vaccuum my sofa and chairs once a week and run an adhesive lint roller (just a buck or two at WalMart and the like) over them every couple of days to keep them looking nice.
6. No, unless the furniture was valuable. Now if you are talking about a mansion of furniture, say, 4 sofas, and a couple of dining tables worth of seats, than sure. If you are talking about a normal sofa, or sofa and loveseat, that is way to much to spend. You may be able to get a new sofa that has removable covers. Unless you want the cats on your furniture, you could get new furniture, and train them to stay off. Everyone in the house has to be onboard with that, though, and I can understand if it's not an undertaking you want to go through. Another option would be getting furniture that matches their coats, so the hair is less noticeable.
7. you could buy new furniture for $1,000 at jennifer convertibles and they come with the slip covers!
8. Nope. I would not. I would buy new furniture... and don't get really expensive stuff, that way you can buy new later on down the road and not feel bad about it.
9. OK CK, Here's an answer from an experienced custom slipcover maker. Probably you like the SIZE of what you have. (and style). THAT's why you're dis-inclined to "buy new". the alternatives are "sure fit" (which I always think means "no-fit") or CUSTOM, which is where you got the $1,000 figure from... It is legitimate for a custom item to seem expensive, the custom maker has only two hands to earn a living with. They need to make as much per hour as you do, with benefits. Their work takes time and that's why it costs... that being said: The value of slip covers are greatly enhanced if they are washable. THAT is accomplished if you WASH the fabric you intend to use FIRST (before making the slipcover) THEN: Tell the custom maker you use that you would almost accept a "sure fit" type cover. That frees them up to cut a few corners and saves you a little on their fee. They can design it to Tuck into place rather than needing to "tailor" each corner! Happy Hunting! Alternatively, add a throw pillow that says: "What's a couch without Cat Hairs?!" http://throwmeapillow.com/pro949528.html and get one of those Masking Tape, type lint removers (grocery store or Dry Cleaners), like my wife uses on our cat's hair! : )