Round Back Dining Chair Slipcover Styles
Finding the perfect chair to match your table and cabinets can be difficult. Once you've settled on the ideal round back dining chairs for your space, protecting them with stylish yet functional slipcovers is key.
Slipcovers designed specifically for round back chairs provide a close fit to keep your chairs looking pristine. Aside from guarding against spills, stains, and scratches, they allow you to customize the look of your dining set with beautiful fabrics and colors.
Benefits of Using Slipcovers on Round Back Dining Chairs
Investing in high-quality dining chairs can get pricey, so making them last is important. Round back dining chair slipcovers offer many perks:
- Protect against everyday wear and tear, spills, scrapes, and UV damage
- Easily remove for washing to keep chairs fresh and clean
- Option to coordinate with table linens or existing decor
- Customize look without replacing chairs (just buy new slipcovers!)
- More affordable than reupholstering or buying new chairs
With routine care, your slipcovers can help your dining chairs withstand years of mealtimes and gatherings without showing their age. Choose slipcovers in stain-resistant fabrics like easy-clean polyester or durable cotton.
Measuring Round Back Dining Chairs for Slipcovers
Achieving an exact fit is crucial for slipcovers to look seamless on your round back chairs. Taking accurate measurements before ordering will ensure they hug every curve for a glovelike fit.
Taking Precise Measurements
Have a tape measure, soft measuring tape, fabric ruler, and notebook ready. For each chair, carefully measure:
- Seat width (side to side at widest spot)
- Seat length (front to back at longest area)
- Seat depth (front of chair seat to back cushion)
- Inside height (floor to top of back cushion)
- Outside height (floor to top point of back)
Note the widest, longest spans rather than narrowest. Capture both inside and outside back heights to determine slipcover length. Measure twice to ensure accuracy.
Ordering Fabric Based on Measurements
Most slipcover companies provide yardage estimates to allow ample fabric for your dimensions. There should be 6-12 inches of overage circumferentially so the covers fit snugly over foam and corners without pulling or tearing seams.
Keep extra yardage on hand for alterations or future repairs. Streamline ordering by purchasing covers and fabric from the same vendor.
Patterns and Fabrics for Round Back Dining Chair Slipcovers
With round dining chairs serving as a focal point, take care in selecting both fabrics and patterns for your slipcovers. Go for materials that can withstand plenty of use while complementing your design aesthetic.
Common Slipcover Fabrics
Look at performance specifications when choosing slipcover fabrics, and how they align with your lifestyle, family size, and home environment:
- Cotton: Breathable, durable, easy to wash, wrinkle resistant, fade resistant over time
- Linen: Casual texture, breathable weave, durable and strong, may require professional pressing
- Polyester: Stain resistant, machine washable, fade resistant, retains shape well, affordable
- Microsuede: Soft hand, durable construction, moisture resistant, machine washable
- Velvet: Luxurious look and feel, prone to crushing, dry clean recommended
Patterns and Designs
Choose slipcover patterns based on the mood you want to set in your dining space:
- Solid colors project an elegant, seamless look
- Subtle tone-on-tone textures add dimension with a uniform finish
- Small and midsize prints infuse personality into the room
- Ditsy florals convey quintessential cottage style
- Classic stripes offer a tailored, timeless pattern
To make a design statement, opt for piping or contrast welting on seams. This frames slipcovers nicely while complementing print and solid color choices.
Consider Durability with Fabrics
Evaluate slipcover fabrics based on durability factors like:
- Regular exposure to food, liquid spills, UV light
- Kids or pets adding wear and tear
- Intend to machine wash covers or dry clean only
More durable fabrics include cotton duck, heavyweight polyester, brushed polyester, microfiber, microsuede, and some well-woven linens. Check fabric specs and customer reviews on performance.
DIY Tutorial for Round Back Dining Chair Slipcovers
Crafting your own dining chair slipcovers takes careful prep work, but offers total control over fabrics, fit, and budget.
Preparing the Chair for the Slipcover
Before sewing, address any imperfections in chair seating using batting or foam fill to provide a smooth base. Then follow tips like:
- Sand rough areas on chair frame
- Use small nails or staples to secure loose trim or wobbly legs
- Fill any holes or cracks with wood filler; sand smooth when dry
This helps slipcovers glide cleanly over surfaces for a flawless look.
Cutting and Sewing the Fabric
When working with your own fabric yardage, first create a test cover from an old bedsheet. After checking the fit, use the test cover as a pattern for cutting panels from the final fabric, allowing ample seam allowances.
Mark and cut fabric pieces with fabric marker:
- Front panel covering seat front
- Side panels covering sides
- Back/bottom panel covering back and underside
- Top/arms panel covering chair back and arms
Align pattern pieces smoothly over the chair before sewing together by machine. Reinforce stress points with extra stitching for durability.
Securing the Slipcover on the Chair
Anchor slipcovers invisibly in place using discreet fastenings:
- Hook-and-loop tape on undersides and loose areas
- Nonslip rug mesh on chair seats
- Straight pins temporarily securing drapey corners
This prevents shifting and maintains a wrinkle-free finish while allowing easy removal for cleaning. Touch up with an iron or garment steamer before replacing on chairs.
Professional Installation of Round Back Dining Chair Slipcovers
Achieving a truly custom slipcover means enlisting the services of a professional upholsterer. While pricier, it yields unparalleled results if you want a bespoke finish.
Seek referrals to find an experienced upholsterer or seamstress able to handle dining chair covers. Be sure to:
- View previous slipcover work and client reviews
- Provide chair dimensions for a preliminary quote
- Discuss timeline for completing work
- Understand what services they provide (and costs) if alterations needed down the road
Those with expertise in both furniture construction and sewing deliver superior slipcovers that actually appear integrated with the chair style.