Refresh Tub Chairs with Slip Covers

Do you have some tub chairs that are looking a little tired and worn? Before you throw them out and buy new ones, consider giving them a makeover with slip covers. Adding slipcovers is an affordable way to protect your chairs from further wear and stains. You can also instantly give your chairs and your room a new look just by changing the fabric.

Slipcovers are a perfect solution for upgrading old, faded chairs without having to pay for expensive reupholstering. By measuring your tub chair properly and selecting the right slipcover fabric, you can customize the look you want. In just an afternoon, you can outfit drab chairs with stylish new slipcovers.

Reasons to Use Custom Slipcovers on Tub Chairs

Slipcovers for chairs have many advantages over fixed upholstery. Consider these excellent reasons to use them on your tub chairs:

Protect Upholstery from Wear and Stains

Over time, chairs accumulate dirt, spills, pet hair, and more. These can stain, tear or degrade delicate upholstery fabrics. Adding a removable slipcover protects the actual chair material underneath.

Since slipcovers can be removed and machine washed, they preserve your investment in the more expensive fixed upholstery. They also make chairs easier to keep clean day-to-day without having to vacuum and spot-treat the chairs themselves.

Update Old Tub Chair Style Affordably

Reupholstering chairs or replacing them altogether can be very costly. Slipcovers provide a simple and affordable way to update the look of old, worn out chairs.

You can find slipcovers ready-made or custom sewn for a perfect fit. With some basic sewing skills, you can even make DIY slipcovers out of new fabric to match your latest decor. The end result costs a fraction of true upholstery replacement.

Change Decor When You Want a New Look

One of the best things about slipcovers is that they are changeable. As you update your home's style, you can inexpensively change your chairs too. Switch out fabrics with the seasons or completely transform rooms without buying new furniture.

Changing fixed upholstery requires hiring an upholsterer and paying for expensive fabric and labor. With slipcovers, you avoid these high costs. Simply switch fabrics or styles whenever the mood strikes.

Fit Unique Tub Chair Shapes and Sizes

Tub chairs come in distinctive shapes with low backs, inward-sloping arms, and round profiles. Their unique size and form can make it much harder to find ready-made covers that fit properly. With custom-fitting slipcovers, you can fashion covers specifically sized for your particular chairs.

Made-to-measure slipcovers follow the exact contours of any size and shape of chair. This allows them to fit better and look more integrated than loose generic covers. Achieving a professional upholstery look is much easier.

Tips for Measuring Tub Chairs for Slipcovers

Getting accurate tub chair measurements is crucial for finding or making slipcovers that fit like a glove. Follow these tips to measure tub chairs for perfect slipcovers every time:

Record Exact Chair Dimensions

Use a cloth measuring tape to quantify the tub chair's key dimensions. Important measurements to capture are:

• Total chair height
• Chair width across widest point of arms/back
• Chair depth from front edge to back
• Inside width between chair arms
• Inside seat depth from front to back
• Height of chair back from seat to top
• Height of chair arms from seat

Write down all measurements accurately for reference. Precision is vital for covers that don't gap or sag.

Allow Extra Length and Width for Perfect Fit

Fabric slipcovers require extra fullness ease so they can stretch over chair frames smoothly. Make sure to add several inches all around when taking measurements or ordering slipcover size:

• Add 4 inches to chair width
• Add 4 inches to chair height
• Add 2 inches to chair depth
• Add 1 inch to inside seat width and depth

This overage ensures slipcovers have enough ease for a wrinkle-free fit. The fabric can spread smoothly around curves and angles without pulling or gaping.

Mark Arm Height, Back Length and Seat Depth

Note key reference points like the top of the chair back, ends of the armrests and front lip of the seat. Capture these details when measuring for slipcovers to ensure perfect coverage on all sides.

This avoids issues like slipcovers that are too short on chair backs or don't fully cover chair arms. Accurately conveying this dimensional data helps tailor covers to your tub chair's unique shape.

Shopping for Fabric to Make Tub Chair Slipcovers

Choosing the right slipcover fabric is essential for covers that are durable, easy to clean and coordinate beautifully with surrounding decor. Consider these factors when selecting fabric for DIY tub chair covers:

Match Existing Decor Colors and Patterns

Look at current furniture and accent pieces in the room where refurbished tub chairs will be placed. Select slipcover material that integrates well with room colors and motifs for a cohesive designed look.

Bring home fabric swatches to view colors next to items like window treatments, area rugs and accent pillows. Coordinate patterns for a harmonious style.

Select Durable, Stain-Resistant Fabrics

Since slipcovers must withstand considerable wear and cleaning, sturdy washable fabrics are smart choices. Medium weight cotton twills, denims and canvas wear well and launder beautifully. For stain resistance with families and pets, microfiber is virtually indestructible.

Outdoor fabric is another excellent slipcover choice that resists water, fading and mildew while standing up to heavy use. Classic crisp cotton duck cloth is durable, textured and tailor made for slipcovers.

Estimate Yardage Needed from Measurements

To calculate how much slipcover fabric you need, add together the vertical and horizontal dimensions you measured earlier. Remember to add ease overage to these numbers. Then check fabric width to see how many inches/yards you require.

Order extra yardage for matching repeat pattern motifs or to allow for fabric flaws and cutting errors. Leftover material can be used for cushion covers, pillows or other projects to decorate chairs.

Sewing DIY Slipcovers for Tub Chairs

With some basic sewing skills, you can stitch custom slipcovers yourself adapted to your chairs. Follow this easy process for sewing tub chair covers at home:

Cut Fabric Pieces Using Measurements

Lay out fabric yardage right side up on large flat work surface. Smooth out any creases. Then use a fabric marker and yardstick to measure and mark cuts for the following panels:

• Full front piece
• Separate left and right back pieces
• Two arm/side chair pieces
• Seat cushion cover

Mark spaces for seam allowances before cutting fabric to exact sizes needed. Cut along marked lines with fabric scissors.

With coordinating thread, sew front, sides and back pieces together at corners and edges using a 1/2" seam allowance. Finger press seams open. Topstitch for added strength if desired.

For cushion covers, sew side and top panels first. Turn cover right side out before slip stitching opening corner seam edgesclosed. Insert seat cushion once finished sewing.