A very simple way to freshen up old dining chairs is to add covers to them. Dining chair covers are most commonly used for dinner parties and entertaining, and are an inexpensive way to add a bit style to your furniture. These kinds of covers are known as slipcovers because they just slip over the existing chair in a matter of minutes. The possibilities are endless with thousands of different designs, materials and colors to choose from.

Another popular use for these covers is at functions and weddings. Many companies offer hire services for special occasions, and with such a large amount of competition the prices can be very reasonable if you are prepared to shop around.

Chair covers are also a great way to protect the fabric underneath, making the original chair last much longer. Spills are an everyday occurance, and it can be a real pain trying to get rid of nasty stains such as red wine and food. Despite our best efforts they always seem to occur when you least want them to, dinner parties being a classic example. Investing in some chair covers is the ideal solution. You can protect your pristine chair in minutes, or if you happen to have a stain that just will not fade away and you are planning a party and don’t want your guests to see it, then using chair covers will hide it in an instant. The choice is yours, and it is a lot more cost effective than going out and buying new chairs or having a full upholstery job done.

The best kind of covers are those that are fully machine washable, and are going to be completely waterproof. This is a good question to ask first if you are buying or hiring. A fully protective cover will not allow any spills to seep through and stain the chair beneath. These may cost a little bit more but the benefits will outweigh the cost in the long run.

Having a few chair cover sets will allow for more flexibilty, and you can use them to suit various ocassions and moods. Covers with skirts can be a simple way to hide any tired or worn looking legs which you don’t want people to notice, and the extra cost is minimal for the effect you get. Also important is to try and match the covers to their surroundings. This includes not just the existing decor and wallpaper in the room but also other home accessories such as a mantle clock or perhaps a coffee table.

A very important point is to make sure the covers fit or will fit your dining chair. You can do this yourself, or get someone else to do it for you. A lot of companies will actually send round a consultant who will do this for you. They can also suggest different color schemes and designs to blend into your current decor. Many of these services are free, so take advantage of them, you will be at no obligation to buy there and then.

An ill fitting chair cover can look untidy and spoil the look and feel you are trying to create. Specially tailored covers will fit exactly the way you want them to, without any sagging and creases, again they cost more but they are worth it. This is why it is so important to know the exact dimensions of your chair before you buy.

Patterned covers are well suited for more neutral decor colors such as white or lighter color schemes. Matching the covers with the table cloth also adds style.