No Sew Drop Cloth Slipcover
Every once in a while I get an idea that I think is fairly genius and I hope that it works out the way I want. You may remember I recently purchased a new white slipcovered sectional for my family room. I love the way it looks and I love that I can just take the slipcover off to wash it when needed. But … it still makes me a little nervous because it’s white, so I’ve been keeping large throws over it just in case. The multiple throws looked messy but then I had an idea to cover the sectional as attractively as possible with a no sew drop cloth slipcover.
So yes, my slipcovered sectional sofa is now wearing a slipcover!
A soft drop cloth imitates the look of expensive linen for a fraction of the cost.
It took two 9′ x 12′ drop cloths to cover my sectional sofa.
In this photo, I’ve only covered half of the sectional.
It’s easy to tuck the ends of the cloth in between the 2 sections of the sofa.
Wash the drop cloths before placing them on your furniture. They’ll be much softer and will smell better too. For some reason, drop cloths have a funny smell fresh out of the package.
Uh huh. Here’s 2 of the reasons why I decided to add a drop cloth slipcover to the sectional. It’s much easier to pull off the drop cloths and wash them than it is to unzip and remove each cushion cover.
Not to mention that the drop cloths cost just $15 each so if they get permanently stained, they’re economical to replace. Stella doesn’t really care as long as she can curl up on the back cushion in front of the sunny window.
I love the way the drop cloth drapes onto the floor. It was so easy to tuck them into place and they don’t move around like all the throws I had covering the couch.
Now I’m going to make some new pillows to go with my no sew drop cloth slipcover.
I’m thrilled that my idea actually worked and only cost $30.
Now I’m a lot less nervous about eating a snack in here while watching TV.
Oh, and my snuggle bug kitties have given the drop cloth slipcover their seal of approval.
Puddy and Stella are 2 peas in a pod and end up like this on the couch more often than not.
they are so cute.
I had two cats that used to cuddle like that. Unfortunately, one of them passed away last spring. The other guy is now 16 and sleeps alone. We have a younger cat- just 1 years old and while they are friendly- they definitely do not cuddle like this.
where can i purchace these dropcloths?? please i have a black sectional leather is peeling off need a quick affordable fix??
You can get dropcloths at Home Depot or Lowe’s, or buy them online at Amazon.
Make sure they are cotton drops or they wont bleach out white and soft..amazon carrys them
I use drp cloths as slipcovers on my couch, too! I hate the upholstery but can’t afford to replace it right now (doing other things first!), so the drop cloth slipcovers were a great option.
Love the new slipcovers and the texture. I found two knobby chenille bedspreads at the thrift store for $2 and use them and when one needs to be tossed in the wash I put on the other. But I have a few packages of drop clothes in the garage so I need to get them washed and see how I like them as well on the couch. Something different.
LOVE LOVE that last photo…so cute!! The drop cloth covers look great…I like the way they drape on the floor too.
Hi Jennifer,
Well it is a truly lovely winter day here. The snow is gently falling in large flakes. We are expecting to receive a few centimeters today. It is very pretty at the moment.
Your idea with the drop cloth slipcovers is great. I have waiting to take a trip where I can purchase some nice material to slipcover my loveseat. We have a fabric store about an hour away but it just doesn’t stock the material I am looking for. Your kitties look so comfy. I have a drop cloth all washed and ready to go. I was going to use it for a curtain but I will give this a try. Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful day.
Kim
Love this idea, i worry about my white slipcovered sofa too. Where can I buy these drop cloths?
Cathie
Cathie, you can find them at any store that sells house paint. You can usually find them at hardware stores too. Lowe’s, Home Depot, Ace Hardware, etc.
Your cats are so cute, and I’m loving the drop cloth slipcover look. Smart!
I use several things for my seat covers white twin fitted sheet, burlap coffee sacks, quilts need to get some drop cloths ….Love the look
It works and for $30 what’s not to like!
Jennifer, I’ve wanted to ask for a long time: What are the curtain rods in this room? They look like tree branches…if they are, how did you attach them? I love the look of the draped burlap. Could you give me the approximate measurements of the fabric? Thanks a bunch!
Barb, yes the rods are branches. I simply hung them on the curtain rod brackets that were already in place. Just make sure the branch is narrow enough to fit in the hook of the bracket. The landscape burlap is pre-packaged from Lowe’s and comes in 3′ x 9′ measurement. Simply drape the landscape burlap over the branch, knot the ends if desired, and simply cut off any excess. Hope this helps!
Great idea. I’ve used drop cloths as chair slipcovers before and loved using them. Funny, we also got a new sectional right arounf Thanksgiving, and we have a dog (and three kids). It’s beige so I’ve been covering it with throws just like you. Frankly I’m tired of looking at them. Can’t believe I didn’t think of this!
xoKathleen@Charm Bracelet Diva {at Home}
Kathleen, I know what you mean about not thinking of this sooner. I can’t even remember how the idea popped into my head but when it did I was like, “Duh. Why didn’t I do that in the first place?” 🙂
Great idea Jennifer and they look pretty too! You have 2 very good reasons to cover them it looks like :))))
Great idea! I might have to try this on my light-colored sofa and love seat. Your cats are cute!
I love the dropcloth look, but not all dropcloths are the same color. I bought some but they turned out to be a grayish color and would not bleach out, but I finally found beautiful cream colored ones at Harbor Freight. Lowes also used to carry this one but my local store doesn’t seem to stock them any more. Yours look to be the nicer ones, very practical and good looking too!
Margaret, you are so right about the color! I found mine at Menard’s.
Oh, and where did you get your drop cloths, Jennifer?
Cyndee, I found them at Menard’s. If you don’t have those near you, check with Lowe’s, Home Depot, or any house paint store.
Jennifer good solution. I had that big ole basset hound of mine that liked to get on that slipcovered sectional. So I get it. The drop cloth idea is a great one. I have to say I miss my slipcovered sectional but not the washing of the covers all the time. Glad you found a great solution.
Kris
What a smart idea! My white couches make me nervous too. I use fleecey throws from target to cover them but I won’t hesitate to try out drop cloths once they wear out !
I love this idea! I feel the same way about our sofa. All of our house dogs with their little winter muddy feet drive me bonkers! Thanks for sharing!
The slipped slips look great, I do the same on my bed because of the dog. I hate covering up something pretty but sometimes we have no choice.
I love using drop cloths to make things and these look really great on your sectional. It is nice that you can just pull them right off and throw in the washer, instead of putting the wear and tear on your regular slips. Smart!
I’m very recent to your blog, within the last couple weeks. Love your dropcloth slipcover idea, but where can I find a picture of your new slipcovered sofa…and where did you buy it?
no wonder drop cloths are being used so much by US bloggers… here they are twice the price! Love the look though. Very cozy and pretty.
xo
The wood floors in your home are GORGEOUS! I love your living room. It is so cozy.
Now I am just sick! I gave away my sectional because it was so shabby (but not shabby chic).
Now I wish I had it back so I could do this. I LOVE IT.
I just wanted to thank you for posting this! I have a sectional that looks awful because I have two big dogs — I’ve always thought a slipcover is out of my reach, so I’ve just been using sheets to cover it. This is a great idea! Would you mind me asking which size drop cloth you bought? I am going to add this to my list to buy this weekend! 🙂
Sorry! Apparently I can’t read — you clearly say: “It took two 9′ x 12′ drop cloths to cover my sectional sofa.”
Thank you!!
Did you have to bleach the drop clothes?
I love what you’ve done! I have a white sectional sofa from ikea. I absolutely love it but I’m tired of washing it. This is the perfect solution. My sofa is floating and not against a wall. Is the 9×12 enough to cover the back and front of the sofa?
Love your no sew sofa slip cover!! Where did you purchase it??
Where can I buy drop cloths??? Such a great idea!!
Loved how my couches turned out with the drop clothes and even happier to see my cats sleeping off the actual fabric ????????????????????????????????????
I just spent about an hour looking for similar bamboo rugs with no luck. Any suggestions?
Do the drop cloths fall or move? We have two dogs and we are always laying on our couch and our current fix of just a big blanket always falls and moves around
Hi I love it ! I would like to cover a slipcover couch. How did u it it on ? Thx. Ur a genius.
How did you cover loose back pillows. I
Got my drop cloth at Harbor Freight for about $13.00. Washed it & dried it to just damp. I hung it over my banister and was planning to iron it while damp but didn’t get to it. By the time it was dry I felt it looked just fine as it was. I did not bother bleaching it either. I like how it turned out. Hardest part was putting it on while my cat was having fun jumping underneath -just like she does when I am putting sheets on the bed. My drop cloth has a seam down the center but that helped me locate the center easily and get it even on both sides. I am so glad I saw this post and tried it!
If you want to fancy them up add a ruffle on the edge.
we recently got a new house and 2 new sofas. I have 5 cats. (my grumpy husband told the salesmen we needed cat couches) after pricing slipcovers, I had no choice but to try this. I bought 2 ,9’x12′ canvas cloths at harbor freight for $16.00 each. I washed them with bleach, detergent and fabric softener. Then threw a dryer sheet in after. They came out soft and smell great. This size covers my large sofas and stays in place.
I love everything about this. I was wondering about the burlap over the windows… how do you wash those?
Love these drop cloth sofa covers!! Am going to give it a try in the a.m., going to Lowe’s to get some. Your kitties are just adorable, I have a black kitty and a calico too and an off-white couch that needs protection. Can’t wait to try it.
Was wondering if you could tell me the paint color that you’ve used in your living room is? It is gorgeous, very soothing. Would love to paint a room in this color. Your living room is so cozy-looking, just love it.
I have dark green fabric couches that need to be covered. I am looking at Lowe’s and Home Depot online and getting overwhelmed with all the options for drop clothes. Can you post a photo of the exact brand and size? Thanks!!
Hi Lizzie!
I purchased the drop cloths from Menards – they’re canvas cloth in 9′ x 12′ size. Any washable canvas drop cloth should work for you (they will soften as you wash them). Here’s the link to what I purchased: https://www.menards.com/main/paint/drop-cloths-plastic-sheeting/canvas-drop-cloths/trimaco9-x-12-medium-weight-canvas-drop-cloth/p-1444445227346-c-8060.htm
Hope this helps!
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for this link. I am planning on purchasing these but just want to confirm these are the same ones you got. They are “medium” weight, not lightweight. And the colour looks a bit different. Thanks so much! Jackie
I love this idea! I’m gonna do this for sure. I used drop clothes to make curtains for my sons room. He thought they were cool and it kept the sun out. I used the hook curtain hangers.
So gorgeous!! I just bought mine form menards 🙂 how did you get the end to drape so pretty like that? Is there any trick or tip when putting it on the couch?? Mine looks crappy lol!
I don’t know whether you’re even still answering comments since this post is a few years old, but I thought I’d try. First of all, your kitties are gorgeous!
I’ve been eyeing these drop cloth style slip covers, but I’m wondering whether they’ll stay tucked? I currently use a bedspread as a slip cover, but I constantly have to re-tuck it back into the crevices after sitting on the sofa.