20 DIY Couch Cover Ideas

By
Lauren Murphy
Lauren Murphy
Lauren Murphy

Lauren Murphy is a DIY expert and writer focusing on cooking, crafting, and making home decor projects.

Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 05/29/22
White couch with DIY slip covers and throw blanket on top in green living room

The Spruce / Sanja Kostic

Has your couch seen better days? If so, it might be time for an upgrade—but buying a brand new sofa from your local furniture retailer can be expensive. You can give your couch a brand new look for less with a couch cover. And to make a new couch cover even more budget-friendly, you can make it yourself. The process is surprisingly easy, and you’ll be able to customize your cover to perfectly match your living room or decorating dreams.

We scoured the internet for DIY couch covers so you don’t have to: Here are 20 DIY couch cover ideas that will help you refresh your space without buying a new sofa.

  • 01 of 20

    DIY Sofa Slipcover

    A white couch with a plaid blanket on it.

    The Crafting Nook

    In this tutorial, learn how to make a beautiful slipcover for your sofa that includes individual covers for the frame and the cushions. This way, you won’t have to worry about constantly adjusting your cover every time someone sits down. It may take some extra work, but the end result is worth it.

    DIY Sofa Slipcover from The Crafting Nook

  • 02 of 20

    No-Sew Bench Cushion

    A seating bench with lots of pillows on top

    Designed Simple

    Bench seats always make an area feel cozy and relaxing. You can DIY your own bench cushion and customize it to your liking with a few simple tools—no sewing machine necessary. This DIY is great for beginners, and the tutorial linked below will swiftly guide you through the project.

    DIY No Sew Bench Cushion from Designed Simple

  • 03 of 20

    DIY Drop Cloth Slipcovers

    A white couch with a grey striped blanket over the arm.

    The Simple Farmhouse

    This tutorial will guide you through a $100 DIY project that will help you turn any couch into the couch of your dreams. This project utilizes drop cloths, which can be found for a relatively low-cost at almost any department store or home improvement store. The covers will extend the life of your couch by a number of years and give your home the look you’ve always wanted.

    No Sew Drop Cloth Slipcovers from The Simple Farmhouse

  • 04 of 20

    Easy Sofa Slipcover

    A grey sofa with pillows on it in a living room with lots of decor.

    Postcards From the Ridge

    Use this simple tutorial to create your own quick, cheap, and easy slipcover for your sofa. It’s a great looking temporary fix that will transform any couch from drab to fab.

    Quick, Cheap and Easy Sofa Slipcover from Postcards From the Ridge

    Continue to 5 of 20 below.
  • 05 of 20

    IKEA Couch Makeover

    A tufted brown sofa and picture frames on the wall.

    My So-Called Handmade Life

    Tufting is a great way to add character to a plain sofa. Essentially, you will have to sew through buttons and maybe add extra stuffing in your couch cushions. The DIY is very budget-friendly and the end result will blow your socks off. 

    DIY Tufting Comfort Works Slipcovers For Ikea Sofa from My So-Called Handmade Life

  • 06 of 20

    Dyed Sofa Slipcover

    A dark blue sofa with blue throw pillows.

    All For the Memories

    Want to give your living room a bold new look? Try dying your couch your favorite color. The process is relatively simple, as outlined in this blog, and it doesn’t take long. Plus, dying your couch cover can help cover up any old stains or signs of wear.

    How to Dye a Sofa Slipcover from All For the Memories

  • 07 of 20

    Puppy-Friendly Couch Cover

    A tan and yellow couch with a chevron seat cover.

    Robb Restyle

    New puppy? No problem. Make this adorable DIY puppy couch cover. With this DIY, you can customize your couch (use fabric with whatever color or pattern you like) while also protecting your sofa from any damage done by your newest furry family member.

    DIY Puppy Couch Cover from Robb Restyle

  • 08 of 20

    DIY L-Shaped Couch Cover

    A red L-Shaped couch.

    DIY Danielle

    Couch covers for uniquely-shaped sofas can be expensive. Cut costs by making your own. Follow the steps laid out in this tutorial to create your own budget-friendly DIY couch cover. (Sewing skills are necessary.)

    How to Sew an L-Shaped Couch Cover from DIY Danielle

    Continue to 9 of 20 below.
  • 09 of 20

    DIY Outdoor Cushion Covers

    A patio chair with floral fabric next to a yellow plant stand.

    Oh Yay Studio

    When the weather begins to warm up, it’s time to take it outside. And since you’ll be spending a ton of time on your patio or deck, you’ll want to make sure everything looks great. Faded cushions aren’t a good look. You can upgrade them by re-covering them using this tutorial as a guide.

    How to Re-Cover Outdoor Cushions from Oh Yay Studio

  • 10 of 20

    DIY Tufted Cushions

    A big grey couch behind a glass coffee table.

    Oh Everything Handmade

    This easy-to-follow tutorial will walk you through how to tuft or button your IKEA Karlstad couch, which will allow you to transform a budget-friendly sofa into a stylish anchor piece for your living room. In just 20 minutes, you can change this couch’s entire look.

    How To Tuft/Button Your Ikea Karlstad Cushions from Oh Everything Handmade

  • 11 of 20

    Couch Reupholster DIY

    A brown comfy sofa with red throw pillows.

    Do It Yourself Divas

    If a brand new sofa isn’t in your budget, that doesn’t mean you can’t get your hands on your dream couch. Try stripping the fabric from your current couch and reupholstering it with any fabric that catches your eye. This tutorial will help you as you go through the process. Add some cute throw pillows once you’re done, and you’ll feel like you have a whole new piece of furniture.

    DIY Strip Fabric From a Couch and Reupholster It from Do It Yourself Divas

  • 12 of 20

    DIY Sectional Slipcover

    A birds eye view of a cushion-y white couch with white pillows on it.

    Confessions of a Serial DIYer

    Sectionals are the ultimate big, comfy couches, and they seem to only get more comfortable as time goes on. Instead of getting rid of it when you redo your living space, change its look. You can DIY a sectional slipcover with a few supplies and some elbow grease. And yes, you will need to break out the sewing machine.

    How to Make a Sectional Slipcover from Confessions of a Serial DIYer

    Continue to 13 of 20 below.
  • 13 of 20

    DIY Settee Slipcover

    A light-colored sofa with dark brown legs and a floral throw pillow.

    Centsational Style

    A settee is a long, upholstered seat. It’s often used interchangeably with the word couch, used as a fancier form of the word. If you’re ready to makeover your couch or settee but you’re not ready to pay a fair amount for reupholstery, you can DIY your very own slipcover. The settee makeover in this tutorial instantly brightens up the space.

    Slipcovered Settee from Centsational Style

  • 14 of 20

    Ercol Studio Couch Cover

    A fun blue couch with lots of colorful pillows.

    Andy Greenacre

    Whether or not you have an Ercol couch, this wonderful tutorial will teach you a thing or two about upholstery. Learn more about what type of fabric to use, where to work, and how to create a template for your sofa cover DIY project.

    How to Sew New Sofa Covers and Cushions For an Ercol Studio Couch from Cassiefairy

  • 15 of 20

    DIY Faux Fur Chair Covers and Cushions

    Faux fur chair covers at a dining table.

    A Beautiful Mess

    If your dining area needs a boost in the style department, this DIY is for you. While these DIY covers aren’t necessarily for couches, they’re just as cozy. These fun faux fur covers are meant for chairs. Purchase any chairs you like (or use the ones you already have) and give them a unique makeover with faux fur. Complete the look with DIY cushions.

    DIY Faux Fur Chair Covers and Cushions from A Beautiful Mess

  • 16 of 20

    DIY Slipcovers With Piping

    A close up photo of a white chair with piping on the arms.

    She Holds Dearly

    Make your slipcover pop with added piping, whether you make your own piping or purchase it at the store. This DIY keeps costs low without compromising on looks. Be prepared for endless compliments from your visitors!

    DIY Slipcovers With Piping from She Holds Dearly

    Continue to 17 of 20 below.
  • 17 of 20

    DIY Armshair Slipcover

    A white armchair covered in fabric.

    Thistle Key Lane

    As you're making over your living room or sitting area, why not include your favorite armchair in the fun? Here, learn how to make a DIY slipcover for your armchair. To make this DIY even cheaper, use drop cloths. Drop cloths are cheap, but that doesn’t mean they’re not comfortable.

    Armchair Slipcover from Thistle Key Lane

  • 18 of 20

    Couch Pet Protector DIY

    A white couch with a reinforced backing.

    Faunamade

    Cats and dogs can wreak havoc on couches, especially if they have sharp nails. They love to climb all over sofas, which can cause some serious damage. Thankfully, you can DIY a durable couch cover that runs along the back and arm of your sofa to protect it from pets.

    Couch Cover DIY: Keeping the Couch Safe from Dog and Cat Nails from Faunamade

  • 19 of 20

    DIY Pom Pom Ottoman Slipcover

    Ottomans with white slipcovers with pom poms.

    In My Own Style

    Big, fluffy pom poms give this DIY a whimsical feel. Bonus—the pom poms can be easily removed so you can wash the DIY slipcover. If pom poms aren’t your vibe, you can add a pleated skirt to your ottoman slipcover instead.

    Ottoman Slipcover with Removable Pom Pom Trim from In My Own Style

  • 20 of 20

    Patio Furniture Covers

    A patio chair with a blue fabric cover.

    The Ruffled Purse

    Transform your outdoor space with these adorable DIY outdoor cushion covers. Head to your local fabric retailer to pick out your favorite pattern to customize your patio furniture so the space looks just the way you like it. Follow along with this tutorial to learn just how to make these cute cushions yourself.

    How to Make Cushion Covers for Outdoor Furniture from The Ruffled Purse

FAQ
  • Can you use a sheet as a couch cover?

    You can revitalize your couch by creating a slipcover made from king-sized sheets. Flat sheets work best, but you can cut away the elastic edges if all you have is fitted sheets. If covering an armchair, a full-sized sheet should be suitable.

  • Can you use a blanket as a sofa cover?

    Wool, textured, or patterned throw blankets are an inexpensive way to cover a couch, making it look intentional instead of like you are trying to cover up a dingy couch. Common ways to drape a throw include over the back, tucked into the back crease and hanging down over the seat cushions, or casually draped in a corner or folded over armrests.

  • Are slipcovers worth it?

    Slipcovers can bring new life to a couch instantly. Prefabricated slipcovers are your easiest option, but the DIY realm has many viable designs if you're handy with a sewing needle. Some no-sew options might appeal to people with little needle and thread experience.

The 11 Best Slipcovers of 2023
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