Selling your home is quite the ordeal. Once you've found a reliable realtor and have set a schedule, you've got to open your home to strangers. More than just that, your home needs to look like their next home. That can be hard to accomplish given the fact that the average home holds over 300,000 things; from personal collections to quirky furniture, turning your vibrant home into a neutral space can feel like a serious challenge.   Fortunately, furniture slipcovers offer a quick solution to a pressing problem. Forget renting generic furniture to stage your home -- sofa slipcovers, pillow covers, and fitted mattress covers are an easy, affordable, and effective way to freshen up your home. They create a neutral environment that allows guests' imaginations to run wild with possibilities while also offering a clean, tidy look. Around 36% of sofa-buyers expect to keep their new sofa for at least five to nine years, yet constant wear and tear can make a not-that-old piece look well beyond its years. This simple appearance, especially if accompanied with bold or bright patterns, can distract and dissuade potential home-buyers.   They're also perfect for pet-friendly homes: with fitted slipcovers, the dog's favorite couch will be transformed into a brand new piece of furniture, and the cat's scratching post will look like it's never seen a claw in its life. Your guests and potential buyers will be much more focused on the space -- and what it is capable of -- than the current family's style. The need for commercial-grade vacuums and cleaning services vanishes with the concealment of that fur.   Best of all, they're functional! Visitors can sit on the couch slipcover while thinking of where they'd put the TV, or where the desk would go; after the house is sold and you're settled in your new place, you can purchase replacement slipcovers for your own home! The ease of use, low cost, and customizable options make slipcovers absolutely necessary in a staged home, and ideal in a new one.   So, buy a bunch all at once (including a few replacement slipcovers for emergencies) and sit back -- and relax -- in your newfound, reborn furniture.

We know how it can be: you've just dropped a significant amount of money on a brand new couch, and only realized after the fact how chaotic your household is. Whether you've got animals running rampant, a few messy children, or are firmly established in your "eating on the couch" ways, you still expect this major purchase to last a good while -- and you're not alone: 91% of sofa-buyers don't plan on needing to buy another one for at least five to nine years! Luckily, there's nothing to worry about; a sofa slipcover will keep your couch safe and secure without sacrificing its class or style. However, you now face one more decision: to buy custom or pre-made? Here are a few things that may help you narrow it down.

Shape

Both custom and ready-made slipcovers come in just about the same types of fabric (cotton, denim, suede, etc.), so rather than focusing on how you want it to look and feel, you should consider the shape of the piece you're trying to protect. Fortunately, most sofas and couches are pretty much the same size and shape, so finding a suitable sofa slipcover is pretty just left to your personal choice. However, if your sofa is the only one of its kind, a ready-made cover will probably look bulky and unnatural. Use your best judgment when browsing options.

Urgency

Although delivery times have certainly been reduced in this age of instant gratification that we live in, custom covers will always take longer because they need to be designed and crafted first, by real people! If you're throwing a party in three days, your best bet is pre-made; if you just considered that having a slipcover would be wise for no immediate reason, you can absolutely take the time necessary to have a custom cover made just for you.

Budget

Custom anything is going to be more expensive than alternatives that are produced in bulk. If you only have a limited amount of money (or simply don't want to spend above a certain number), pre-made sofa slipcovers are an easy and affordable way to protect your furniture. Otherwise, there's no harm in splurging a little. No matter what you choose, what's important is that your needs are met! Slipcovers are ideal for all types of furniture: from recliner seat covers to pillow covers -- even pet bed covers! -- slipcovers are about protecting your furniture. Ready-made doesn't necessarily mean low-quality, so focus on your own personal wants and desires.

Winter is a paradoxical season. Soft, fluffy snowflakes can create the most dazzling displays of beauty in your yard and neighborhood, yet blustering winds and freezing ice can cause a significant amount of damage. If you're like most people, winter is simply a (mostly) unpleasant period between fall and spring, and you're just waiting for it to pass so you can get out and enjoy your backyard again. Patio furniture is a boon on those warm and breezy days, yet may not always survive the winter weather: here are three ways to improve your odds.  

• Place them in storage. One of the easiest ways to protect your outdoor furniture from the wrath of winter is to remove it entirely. Placing your furnishings in a shed, garage, or even an offsite storage facility guarantees their security from even the most violent storms; unfortunately, it's also the most costly option. Most people like to store their cars in the garage when it snows, removing the possibility of space for a bulky table and chairs, and sheds and storage facilities don't come cheap. Depending on your preferences and the depth of your wallet, storage may not be the best choice.

• Invest in slipcovers. Slipcovers have long been used to protect indoor furniture (sofa slipcovers are a godsend if you have pets or rambunctious children), so it only makes sense that they should be used outside. Regardless of what your needs are -- if you're interested in daybed covers, patio furniture cushion covers, or simple couch slipcovers -- you'll be able to find a prefabricated or custom-made option available online. They're cheaper than a storage unit, and tend to offer more protection than protective coatings.

• Apply weather treatments. Usually the most affordable option, weather treatments are practical if you live in areas that experience mild winters: light showers, hardly any snow, or warmer temperatures for example. If your furniture is completely exposed and you live in the northeast, however, they may not quite do the job. The right choice depends entirely on your personal needs and budget.

  The furniture and home furnishings industry is valued at around $106.8 billion -- it doesn't really need you to contribute to that number by having to purchase new patio furniture each year. With the right protective coatings, patio furniture slipcovers (and patio furniture cushion covers), or storage spaces, your outdoor furnishings will live to see another summer.

As winter quickly approaches, it's nice to think about the comfort and warmth of summer weather. Without an outdoor living space to enjoy it, the beauty of dappled sunshine and soft breezes would be entirely missed. Though you may be forced to watch that outdoor area lie untouched under mountains of snow in the coming months, these three tips to creating a relaxing outdoor space will keep you in warm spirits.  

• • • Introduce a daybed: Daybeds have become all the rage across the country. Providing the perfect area to sit back and take a nap in the afternoon sunshine, daybeds are functional as well as beautiful. With the right design and fitted mattress covers, they'll be comfortable and entirely protected from the elements -- selecting a synthetic suede slipcover resists stains and water damage, so you'll have a classy look that allows you to drink wine while you lounge without fear of damage.
    • Buy new slipcovers: Outdoor furniture, even in the summer, experiences the brunt of nature's moods. Rain and wind can do significant damage if not protected, so investing in patio furniture slipcovers (or patio furniture cushion slipcovers) can guarantee they last throughout the season. Buying daybed covers for your brand new luxury resting area is also smart; you don't want bugs or mold interrupting your summertime nap!
    • Add a splash of color: While whites and linens are favored among outdoor decor, they can get a little boring. If you prefer to walk on the wild side, or are simply looking for a change, include colorful chairs, bold and bright rugs, and even vibrant shade umbrellas. Throw a red blanket on that outdoor twin mattress cover you invested in for your daybed, choose rich pillow covers, or give the nearby fence a re-imagining with your favorite color.
    As you reminisce on your summertime projects, the cold weather and blowing snow will seem to disappear from your life. You've got plenty of time to consider other ideas -- such as the addition of a deck, the introduction of a wealth of plant life, or even the construction of a covered area to fully enjoy that outdoor twin mattress cover you just splurged on. Before you know it, summer will be here!

No one can argue the benefits of bringing home a furry, four-legged friend; they offer companionship, unconditional love, and endless entertainment! However, they also happen to be tiny tornadoes just waiting to be unleashed in a flurry of hair and sharp claws. As a responsible pet owner, you are required to make a few changes or alterations to your home, just like if you were baby-proofing -- except the goal is to protect your house from your pet, not the other way around.   When it comes to the damage that can be wrought by a hyperactive puppy or a bored kitten, your furniture is the most at-risk. Here are the three best, most durable fabrics -- put best to use in the form of slipcovers to provide maximum protection -- available to keep that expensive sofa nice and safe.  

• Outdoor: Outdoor fabrics are usually specially treated to repel water, stains, and even bacteria; this means that your furniture will smell as fresh and clean as it looks. However, if bringing a piece of outdoor furniture indoors doesn't mesh with your decor, you can invest in an outdoor fabric cover -- if your pet owns a certain piece (we all know how pets can be), you can purchase sectional couch covers or pillow covers to keep them safe. Although outdoor fabric can feel less luxurious than the following options, it is one of the strongest types available for fighting against fur and felines alike.

• Denim: Some diehard denim fans may claim that the material only belongs in jeans and jackets, but they haven't seen the versatility of denim couch slipcovers. Offering a material that is able to withstand even the most rambunctious of pets, the informal fabric is easy to clean, vacuum, and comes in a variety of shades and designs -- trust us when we say it won't look like you've re-purposed some old jeans. Denim sectional couch covers will become the new stars of your living room as your pets race all over them and don't leave a single scratch behind.

• Woven: The secret to woven slipcovers (or upholstery in general) is in the tightness of the weave; tighter weaves are more resistant to stains and actually repel dirt, and are also able to keep their shape longer. If your sofa sees a lot of use, both from humans and animals alike, tightly woven sectional couch covers can provide an excellent layer of protection against everyday damage and that caused by wildly bounding and energetic puppies.

  Durable, easy-to-clean fabric is the secret to success when it comes to new pet ownership. Don't let your messy companion rule the household; purchase slipcovers (even pet bed covers!) made from these materials and your pets will know who's in charge.

Purchasing outdoor furniture can be a tricky, sometimes overly complicated process. You have to take in a multitude of considerations: your climate, how much use it's going to see, and how much you're willing to spend. Fortunately, you can cover your bases (and your furniture!) easily by investing in slipcovers for outdoor furniture. These covers help protect the furniture's base material and extend its lifespan by many years. Whether you're looking to spruce up old outdoor furniture or are simply interested in saving money without sacrificing quality, there's a slipcover material and design out there for you. Let's walk through those considerations.  

Climate Conditions

  Patio furniture needs to be able to withstand whatever Mother Nature throws at it. If you live in an area that experiences heavy rainfall, you'll want to choose couch slipcovers that are waterproof, or incredibly water resistant. Tightly woven fabric, such as denim, is particularly good at this endeavor. Fortunately for you, there is also a type of fabric known simply as 'outdoor' -- it resists stains, damage, and water, all at once. However, if you live in a sunny region that hardly ever sees a drop of rain, you might want to consider a lightweight and breathable cotton fabric.  

Extent Of Use

  Are you going to be throwing parties every evening, or casually lounging every once in a while? Obviously, durable material is desired for constant use, while something more simple and comfortable such as synthetic suede can be used if you're outdoor furniture is hardly going to be touched.  

Budget

  Here's where you'll always win! While you may have to spend exorbitant fees on the material of the furniture itself if you're electing not to use slipcovers for outdoor furniture, covers -- whether they're patio furniture cushion covers or outdoor twin mattress covers -- you will be spending less. Always. Best of all, you won't be settling for anything cheap or unattractive: high quality slipcovers for outdoor furniture are still going to be less expensive than the furniture itself.   Now that you have all the information you need, it's time to explore the options available at your fingertips! Work your way down until you find a slipcover that is as practical for your needs as it is beautiful.