Wide Dining Chair Covers for Your Home Style
Wide dining chair covers are a great way to refresh the look of your dining room while protecting your furniture. These full-body covers disguise signs of wear, prevent dirt and spills, and extend the life of your chair upholstery. With the variety of colors, fabrics, and prints available, you can easily update your decor and coordinate with your existing furnishings.
What Are Wide Dining Chair Covers?
Wide dining chair covers refer to slipcovers that envelop the entire chair. Unlike chair cushions that only cover the seat, wide covers wrap from the bottom of the chair up to the backrest. This full-body coverage has several benefits:
- Protects chairs from dirt, wear and tear, scrapes, and spills
- Disguises flaws, stains, or faded upholstery
- Allows easy decor updates by changing cover prints/colors
- Extends lifespan of chair upholstery underneath
Wide dining chair covers come in a variety of fabrics like cotton, linen, polyester blends, and microfiber. The most common fastening method involves elastic straps and ties to secure the cover in place snugly. This flexibility makes it easy to remove covers for cleaning or replacement.
Considerations When Buying Wide Dining Chair Covers
With many options on the market, keep these key factors in mind when shopping for wide dining chair covers:
Size and Fit
Pay attention to product dimensions and compare to your existing chair size. Measure the width, height, and depth of your chair to ensure a good fit. Loose covers compromise protection while tight ones cause pulling or damage.
Material
Consider factors like durability, stain resistance, breathability, texture, etc. Cotton and linen suit casual decor but may require frequent washing. Microfiber and polyester blends offer durability for high-traffic dining rooms.
Style and Design
Choose prints, colors, and patterns complementing your dining set and room decor. Look for tailored features like welting, box pleats, ruffles etc. Armless covers suit many chair types while shaped covers match armchairs better aesthetically.
Care Requirements
Check washing methods recommended and if covers are machine-washable. Dry-clean only fabrics are higher maintenance. Also, verify if covers require ironing or can be tumble-dried to prevent hassles.
Where to Buy Wide Dining Chair Covers
You can purchase quality wide dining chair covers from these sources:
Online Stores
Websites like Amazon , Overstock, and Wayfair offer convenience and affordable prices. Browse customer reviews and high-resolution product photos before ordering covers suited to your dining chairs.
Big Box Retailers
Stores like Target and Walmart sell wide chair covers in their home goods section. The selection may be limited but you can personally inspect products before purchase.
Specialty Shops
Visit custom slipcover makers offering bespoke chair covers tailored to your exact specifications. While pricier, you'll get a precision fit and personalized fabric/embellishment options.
How to Choose the Right Wide Dining Chair Covers
Follow these tips for finding well-fitting wide dining chair covers for your space:
Take Measurements
Measure chair width, height, depth, and seat dimensions accurately. This ensures ordering tailored covers instead of ill-fitting ones compromising protection and appearance.
Select Material
Consider chair fabric, frequency of use, cleaning methods etc. when deciding on cover material. Delicate upholstery needs thicker protection compared to everyday dining chairs.
Consider Chair Style
Evaluate arm styles, base shape, cushioning etc. when choosing covers. Pick tailored options suiting wingback, barrel, rolled arm chairs over one-size-fits-all covers.
Tips for Installing Wide Dining Chair Covers
Installing wide dining chair covers properly ensures they stay firmly in place. Follow these guidelines:
Prepare the Chair
Dust and vacuum chairs beforehand for a clean foundation allowing covers to remain smoothly in place without lumpiness.
Put On Cover
Gently drape the cover over chair and align seams neatly for an unwrinkled look. Pull cover evenly over all sides without overstretching.
Secure Ties and Elastic
Fasten all perimeter straps and adjustable ties snugly to prevent slippage and maintain a tailored appearance. Do not overtightem causing puckers or pulls.
Styling with Wide Dining Chair Covers
Experiment with different looks by styling your wide dining chair covers:
Match Dining Table
Choose solid slipcovers in a finish complementing your table for a cohesive style. Metallic covers pair well with glass while neutral colors match most wood tabletops.
Complement Room Decor
Select colors and patterns echoing key shades in surrounding decor for a pulled-together dining space. Florals suit cottage spaces and geometrics match modern aesthetics.
Mix and Match Patterns
Make a custom eclectic statement by mixing different wide chair cover prints and solids on a common base color. It allows creative self-expression and personalized chairs.
Caring for Wide Dining Chair Covers
Follow these guidelines to help wide dining chair covers retain their appearance and lifespan:
Follow Washing Instructions
Refer to fabric care labels and wash covers only through recommended methods to prevent shrinking or damage issues.
Check for Wear
Inspect covers regularly for pilling, fading, thread pulls etc. Address issues promptly to avoid worsening and maintain longevity.
Repair if Needed
Sew loose buttons and straps, patch small holes, iron out wrinkles etc. to keep covers looking their best over years of use.
Common Mistakes with Wide Dining Chair Covers
Avoid these pitfalls when buying and using chair covers:
Buying the Wrong Size
Failing to accurately measure dining chairs before ordering covers almost always causes problems with fit. Take detailed dimensions including seat depth, arms width etc.
Neglecting Fabric Care
Disregarding washing guidelines leads to shrinkage, running colors, cover damage etc. Adhere to instructions for cleaning methods, water temperatures and drying procedures.
Forgetting Chair Shape
One-size-fits-all covers rarely work for non-standard chairs with rolled/straight arms, barrel backs, unusual bases etc. Seek tailored armchair or slipper chair covers instead.
FAQs About Wide Dining Chair Covers
Do they protect chairs?
Yes, wide dining chair covers protect upholstery from spills, stains, daily wear-and-tear, scrapes, fading etc. by creating a barrier against direct contact.
How long do they last?
With occasional washing and proper care, quality wide dining chair covers last 3-5 years on average. Higher-end tailored covers may even last over a decade.
Can I make my own?
You can create DIY dining chair covers with basic sewing skills. However, it is challenging to achieve a professional tailored fit without experience. Purchasing readymade covers is easier.
We've covered everything from purchasing considerations to styling and maintenance tips for wide dining chair covers. The right covers disguise worn upholstery, protect your investment, and refresh room decor affordably. Measure carefully, seek quality materials to suit your chairs' design, wash gently by guidelines and check for repairs to maximize wide chair covers' performance. With some thoughtful choices, these versatile covers provide practicality alongside style.