Beginner
How to Put On Chair Covers
How to put on chair covers: prepare the chair, fit the cover from the backrest down, secure the hem and adjust for stretch, polyester or satin fabric.
A chair cover that bunches at the seat or creeps up the back is usually not the wrong size; it was put on in the wrong order. The fit comes from starting at the backrest, working down, and letting the hem do the holding, and that routine is the same for a plain stretch slipcover and a fancier banquet cover.
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Get the chair and the cover ready first
Dust and crumbs under a cover show through the fabric and keep it from sitting flat, so vacuum the chair, wipe the surfaces with a lightly dampened cloth and gentle cleaner, and let it dry completely before anything goes on.
Then unfold the cover and lay it flat. Find the back panel, the seams and any elastic band, because knowing which edge is the top saves a redo. Size matters before any of this: the stretch in a cover only goes so far, so measure the back height, back width and seat against the maker's stated range. The dining room chair covers comparison covers the size ranges, waterproof backing and fabrics of ready-made sets.
Six steps to a smooth fit
The method below suits most stretch slipcovers for armless chairs. Some seat-only covers have a gap at the rear so they slip on without removing the cushion; check the maker's notes for that, and for whether arms are allowed.
- Unfold the cover and find the back panel and any seam that marks the center.
- Hold the cover by the top and slip it over the backrest, lining the center seam up with the middle of the chair back.
- Pull the fabric down over the backrest and seat slowly, smoothing wrinkles as you go.
- Make sure the cover hangs evenly on both sides and is not stretched hard in one direction.
- Tuck elastic edges under the seat, or fasten any ties, Velcro or zipper so the cover is held snugly.
- Step back, look at the chair from every side and adjust until the cover is symmetrical.
What each fabric needs when you fit it
Fabric decides how much pulling a cover can take. Stretch fabrics forgive a lot, while delicate ones snag, so the table sets out how to treat each as it goes on.
| Fabric | Character | Fitting tip |
|---|
| Spandex | Very stretchy, form-fitting | Stretch evenly, no sharp pulls |
| Polyester | Durable, resists wrinkles | Smooth it out as you fit |
| Satin or silk | Delicate, shiny finish | Handle gently, avoid sharp objects |
| Quilted | Soft, padded texture | Spread the padding evenly |
Keeping the cover in place all evening
Corners and edges are where covers tend to shift, so press the fabric against the chair there once it is on. Covers with an elastic hem or built-in straps hold best, and clips can help where a cover is loose.
If nothing off the shelf suits an odd chair shape, you can make your own chair covers. Before washing any cover, read its care label: most are machine washable, but fabrics and finishes differ, and the label decides the water temperature, the drying method and whether ironing is safe.
Frequently asked
Why use chair covers at all?
Covers protect upholstery from spills, stains and wear, and they refresh the look of a room without replacing the chairs, so a set can be changed for a season or an event.
Are chair covers machine washable?
Most are, which makes them easy to keep clean, but fabrics differ, so follow the care label on each set for the wash and drying method.