If you’ve got a futon in your living room or college dorm, a futon cover is a good idea to protect the mattress from everyday wear and tear, especially if you have kids or pets, or entertain a lot. Look for a durable fabric such as cotton, microfiber or polyester, which can easily be washed and dried. That way any dirty marks or spills can be cleaned out and help keep your futon looking as good as new.

Futon covers are easy to slip on and are usually held in place with concealed zippers, so they look neat and tidy. They come in a choice of stretch and non-stretch fabrics, most of which are machine washable, such as cotton duck, fleece and faux suede.

As well as having the practical function of protecting your mattress, a slipcover can also be used to bring new life to an old futon that’s seen better days by covering up worn or faded upholstery. Using a futon slipcover is a cheap way to give an old or secondhand futon a makeover, by giving it a completely fresh new look. This is a much cheaper option than buying a new mattress, especially if you can get one at a discount or in a sale.

Since futon covers come in a range of different colors and patterns, you can choose one to fit with your decor and color scheme. Solid colors are popular as these are the easiest to coordinate with other furniture and items in a room. However, striped patterns and other prints can work well, particularly if you want to liven up neutral decor or make a style statement. Some people even have a couple of different covers that they switch over according to the time of year. For instance, in hot summer weather, a cool, light colored fabric can work well, whereas in winter you may prefer a rich, warm color and a fabric that’s soft to the touch.

Most ready made futon covers have a one-size-fits-all design to fit most standard full size and queen size futons, with mattresses up to 8” thick. Slipcovers to fit twin, loveseat, chair and ottoman futons are also available. By fitting a new cover on a futon, it’s simple and quick to give it a whole new look and protect the mattress at the same time.

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