The Best Couch Covers to Protect Your Sofa From Pets, Spills and Kids' Messes

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From being binge-watching central, to comfortably seating guests, and serving as a hangout spot for the whole family (kids and pets included), your couch goes through a lot. Not every moment spent on the sofa is necessarily a tidy one, and sometimes not even a deep-cleaning session can remove the inevitable spills, stains, and scuffs from your sofa. You spent a long time picking out the most comfortable couch for your space, and even if it was under $500, you want to keep your investment in good shape. That's where the best couch covers come in.

Couch covers or slipcovers are intended to add a layer of protection between your sofa and the rest of the world. Depending on your particular needs, different slipcovers offer different types of coverage. Some cover the entire sofa with one large piece of fabric — something that might work with an extra-deep sofa — while others are designed to be used on individual cushions. There are also different fabrics and textures to choose from. Do you want something that looks exactly like your sofa? Or are you on the hunt for a slipcover because you want to give your living area a big makeover while spending as little as possible?

Pick out a few different colors of the more budget-friendly picks on this list, so you can switch things up from season to season. Or, find one perfect piece that will give your sofa new life. And if you're in the market for new living room furniture, check out our stories on the best futons, the best sleeper chairs, and the best Cloud couch dupes.

Stretch Chair Sofa Slipcover

With more than 72,500 reviews and a 4.3 star rating, it's clear that people can't get enough of this easy to install sofa cover. The single piece is made from stretch materials, ensuring you'll get a good fit no matter what shape your couch is.

Super Stretch Couch Cover for 3 Cushion Couch

Extra large sofa owners, rejoice! This one piece sofa cover can help protect your extra large couches while keeping them looking good. This one piece set can hold up against everything from dogs to kids, and then some.

Reversible Quilted Sofa Cover

This water resistant slipcover comes with non-slip fabric and elastic straps to help hold it in place. The quilted design is visible on both sides of the reversable slipcover, which comes in several different shades, including a few contrasting options for when you want something very different.

Luxury Microsuede Pet Couch Cover

Need a cover specifically to keep your four legged friend from damaging your couch? This miniature version from Pottery Barn is just big enough to cover the area where your pet hangs out, keeping your sofa looking good while protecting it from everything from pet hair to scratches.

Matelasse Damask Sofa Slipcover

This textured and layered slipcover that doesn't look anything like the competition is available at Macys. Get the look of a high end couch without having to shell out the money it costs to buy one.

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Wear-Resistant Universal Sofa Cover

You can keep your sectional safe with this protective cover that is specially designed to fit more unusually shaped sofas. Instead of one solid cover this slipcover is actually made up of multiple little covers that go on the individual cushions.

RELATED: Best Inexpensive Cloud Couch Dupes to Get the Look on a Budget

Stretch Printed Sofa Cover

The prints on these sofa slipcovers will give your living room an instant glow up. From pretty florals to large geometric shapes, there's something for everyone. Thanks to the low price point, you can by a few different versions of this slipcover and switch it up whenever you need a change.

Soft Faux Suede Loveseat Slipcover

Get the luxe look and feel of suede for less with this soft faux suede tieback option. This stylish looking slipcover will give your sofa a modern update without breaking the bank.

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Sofa Slipcover With Skirt

Looking for something that looks more like a sofa and less like a slipcover? This skirted option really hides the fact that it's a cover and not the real deal thanks to the different textures it has going on. As an added bonus, the hemline hangs low enough on the skirt that you shouldn't have to worry about any of your sofa peeking through at the bottom.

Textured Grid Sofa Cover

A four-piece option, this set has one main piece that covers the base of a three seater sofa and then three smaller pieces to cover the cushions, giving you better overall coverage options.

RELATED: Best Couches From Walmart That Are Surprisingly Affordable

Couch Cover Blanket

Specifically designed for dogs, this blanket style cover is a pet friendly option that is as chic as it is functional. With beautiful lace details and an easy instillation process (you just drape the blanket over the couch), it's the perfect option for anyone looking to protect their sofa from Fido.

FAQ

While we know that you know these aren't the same slipcovers your grandmother used all those years ago, there is still a lot of mystery surrounding couch covers — and why you should be suing one on your sofa.

• How do I choose the correct size for a couch cover?
  Almost all couch covers are size dependent, so you'll need to measure your sofa to ensure it will fit. Make sure you're checking all sides of your couch, especially if your furniture isn't against the wall. The last thing you want to do is get the cover on and then realize the whole back half of our couch isn't covered.

• How do I know if I really need a couch cover?
  If you have an older couch that still looks nice, you may be wondering if it's worth spending some money on the couch cover, after all, you made it this far without one. The short answer to that questions is yes, you should have a cover. And the long answer involves noting how beneficial it can be to have the ability to take the cover off your sofa to throw it in the wish every now and then, especially if you have kids!

• What is the best couch cover to use for homes with pets?
  Anyone with pets who frequently get up on the furniture should look for covers that are waterproof, that don't have a lot of loosely woven fabrics that will easily pull, and something that can be tossed in the washing machine every once in a while.

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