Save Your Sanity: Use Loose Covers

Many people don't think about loose covers when it comes to redecorating their home, yet loose covers are an inexpensive tool that not only protects but also renews the look of your furniture.

If you've spent several hundred pounds on a furniture suite for your living room, getting exactly the right color and fabric you wanted, you might wonder why on earth you'd want to hide that perfection with slipcovers. Well, the answer is simple. Accidents happen. It's better to strip off a removable loose covers and throw it into a washing machine, then have to re-upholster or replace the damaged fabric on one of the pieces of furniture of your perfect living room suite.

Because loose covers are easy to put on and take off, there's no need to have them on all the time, of course. Many people reserve them for certain occasions - for example when they are entertaining a group of kids during a birthday party.

Loose covers don't just come in demure white or other solid colors. They come in floral patterns, in geometric patterns, even in plaids. They come in themed patterns - sports, holidays, and so on.

Most people don't want it to be obvious that they have loose covers on their furniture, they want it to look as if the material on that furniture is what came with it originally. And with made to measure loose covers , this is easily achieved.

Loose covers, therefore, are used not only to protect the original upholstery of your furniture, but also to give a new look to old, faded upholstery, so that you don't have to go to the expense of re-upholstering it.

More than that, loose coversare used in situational relief - to brighten up a holiday or birthday party, for example. And if you've got a bunch of old, mis-matched furniture, the easiest way to make them look like a matching set is to buy a set of matching loose coversfor them!

About The Author:

Adam Peters is the editor of http://www.home-decorating-reviews.com/.

Can you cover Leather Furniture?

You can a Leather Sofa but we have to advise that there maybe some slight movement when loose covers are applied to a leather surface due to the slide effect of the leather underneath. A solution to this can be to insert some sort of foam batting underneath the loose cover to prevent it from sliding. This can be purchased at most Craft shops and Haberdasheries.

How long do loose covers take to make?

The actual making of the Covers is usually 3-4 weeks, this is because the measurements and pictures you supply are used by skilled craftsmen and women to manufacture the covers by hand. Using the finest materials and applying frequent quality checks to ensure that your satisfaction is guaranteed.

The quicker you can supply us with the necessary measurements and photographs means we can begin the manufacturing process as soon as possible..

Can you cover Wing-back Chairs?

We really can cover almost any style of furniture using any fabric in the stretch covers range. The cotton and non stretch fabrics will not give a great result on complex designs as there is no give in the fabric. If you are at all unsure about your furniture style, you can either send us photos or we can send you a disposable camera (in a pre-paid envelope), which we will process for FREE! We will then be able to give accurate advice before you order. The vast majority of furniture styles are perfectly suited to any of our fabrics.

Please have a look at some of the different style of furniture we can cover!

Kitchen Window Ideas

Kitchen windows are great to dress up with brand new window treatments, either to change a look or create a dramatic effect. Ironically, the vast selection of window treatments makes it a little difficult to choose which one is right. Here are some ideas you can try to help you with your choice:

1. The size of your kitchen

Size does matter when choosing window treatments for your kitchen window. Don't overwhelm your small kitchen with large, bold prints. Choose smaller prints and lighter colors instead. Use accents sparingly. A drape over the window creates a great look, but it might devour a lot of space and make your kitchen window look ridiculously tiny. Work with your kitchen window size and you can't go wrong.

2. Have a large kitchen window?

Use a swag or a valance from which to hang curtains from. You can also use ruffled curtains to create a lovely country look. Want it plain? Go for the more structured tailored look and add a few accents like a colorful tieback, for example.

3. Do you want more privacy?

If you want more privacy but want to let in light, choose sheer printed curtains or louvered blinds. Roman blinds also work well or half-panel curtains that only cover a portion of the kitchen window. These window treatments allow a partial coverage without totally keeping you isolated in your little nook. They also give your kitchen a great look without a lot of cost.

4. How much light?

When deciding on which window treatment to use for your kitchen, determine how much light you want to let in. While it's always a good idea to encourage a lot of sunshine in, there might be times in the day when you want to reduce the glare. If you do, go for sheer curtains topped with printed fabrics or go for slightly thicker curtains and drapes you can tie back if you want more light.

About the Author:

To learn more window treatment ideas, visit http://www.windowtreatmentideas101.com

I can't believe the difference they made...

I was initially a bit sceptical of how these covers were going to fit my sofa, especially as I had taken the measurements myself, I am the most least hands-on person you could ever meet. I was also very surprised at how easy it was to measure my sofa, the measurement guides were very useful and simple to use. The sofa covers have far excelled my expectations, and I can honestly say that they are perfect and could not be improved on.

Our living room now looks completely revitalised without the cost of having to buy a new suite.

Lucy Mews
Berkshire

Can you fit Loose covers to Sectional (Unit) Furniture?

Unfortunately there is no easy answer to this question. Due of the different types of sectional furniture, such as ones with reclining parts and removable arms that can cause problem with the standard covers.

If you have a sectional sofa we can easily advise be seeing pictures of the furniture. You can either send us photos or we can send you a disposable camera (in a pre-paid envelope), which we will process for FREE!

Can a Parker Knoll recliner chair be recovered?

Being a Parker Knoll doesn't cause any problem, however for this particular type of chair it would be very difficult for you to measure and fit the covers. This is mainly due to the mechanics of a Recliner.

It would be advisable for you to contact a loose cover specialist or reupholsterer, Plumbs would be the ideal company help and advise for this particular type of furniture as they have the skills and expertise to offer a Home Consultation service.

For any unusual piece of furniture you want covering, we can send you a disposable camera to take pictures and we will process the film for FREE! With no cost or obligation to you.

Decorating Your Home: 5 Style Tips that Cost Less than £110

Do you dream of adding style to your home but don’t have a lot of money? Don’t despair! There are 5 things you can do that will help your house look beautiful without spending much money.

1. Make display surfaces pretty.

A key element in houses that are decorated by a professional rather than want-to-be is the art of accessorizing. Flat surfaces such as mantels, bookcases, and coffee tables are the perfect places to restyle for less. The one important point here is to keep it simple. Bookcases should only be 2/3 full. A mantle should not have mirror above it (a very dated look) – choose artwork instead. Place no more than three items on an end table – cluster these varied but related items together for more impact.

2. Paint to Impress.

Paint, as you know, makes the most dramatic change for the money. Be bold, be daring and most importantly -- don’t do white! Choose a complex color. This simply means if you would use several different words to describe the color than it is probably complex. For example; if you said it was a kinda “gold, straw, beige-y color” than it is probably a complex color. If you said “just yellow” - it probably is not a very inspiring look. A beautiful color on the walls can make the room go from ordinary to extraordinary in less than a day and usually for less than £25.

3. Make it personal

Decorating your house is a job but styling your home is fun. Personalization is putting your interests, hobbies or values into your décor to really make it your own. Buy simple – read inexpensive - curtains at your local big-box store and then buy exquisite wide ribbon to hot glue on the edge. Use your grandson’s first sneakers to tie back the den curtains. Use some family photos but just promise not to use too many. A guest coming for a visit may find all those staring eyes unnerving.

4. Change with the seasons.

You know the drill – lighter brighter for spring/summer and darker richer for fall/winter. This easy task of changing the fabric items around the home can help you make it seasonal. Change out placements, bath towels, and accent pillows. The final touch is to purchase a seasonal bouquet of flowers: fresh or fake- these centerpieces can add punch to a room.

5. Change the colour of your Sofa.

You can now make dramatic changes to the look of you living room furniture without the expense of replacing Sofas & Chairs. For under £109 Covermyfurniture.com can now offer you many different colours, patterns and styles to make a Sofa not only look brand new but to give your decor a new lease of life.

Decorate your home by spending time not money in decluttering, painting and accessorising. By following these simple tips, you can make a huge impact by bringing your home from average to spectacular for very little money.

About The Author

Julie Dana is a professional Interior Redesigner and Accredited Staging Professional. Her company, The Home Stylist, offers online decorating consultations, do-it-yourself decorating plans and real-estate staging.

Visit http://www.thehomestylist.com to take a fun style quiz, vote on a color poll, and sign up for free decorating e-newsletter.