How to Cover a Leather Couch

A leather couch can wear and tear over time from the friction caused by regular use, making cushions sag or the leather crack or crease. However, a simple slipcover can cover a leather couch and hide the imperfections, saving you the trouble of purchasing another couch.

Intended to be part protective surface and part design choice, couch slipcovers are a must-have for couches that have seen better days. Slipcovers come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, from armchairs to full couches. With one-piece and two-piece slipcovers available, there is a slipcover suitable for every couch.

When purchasing a slipcover, you must select one that is the right size and that you will be able to install over your particular couch. For example, some slipcovers come with cushion covers; however, this slipcover would be useless for a couch that does not have detachable cushions.

To ensure you find a slipcover that fits, measure the couch beforehand. Measure the distance from the outer edge of one arm all the way to the outer edge of the opposite arm. Couch slipcovers typically range in size from 74 to 96 inches wide. Select a slipcover that corresponds with the leather couch's shape and style.

One-piece slipcovers are a single cover that is pulled over the couch and tucked in place to create a snug fit. To cover a leather couch with a one-piece slipcover, begin by removing all of the pillows and blankets from the couch, leaving the couch cushions in place. Then, lay the slipcover over the front and back of the couch, ensuring the front is draped over the couch's arms. Next, pull the back of the slipcover down over the back of the couch and tuck it in place. If there are fasteners, secure the cover in place.

Then, use a wooden spatula to tuck excess fabric around the arms in the space between the armrest and cushion. Gather the excess fabric in the middle of the seating space and pull it toward each armrest, tucking the excess fabric between the arms and cushions. Gather the excess fabric around the backrest and tuck it into the space between the backrest and cushions. If the slipcover came with ties on its skirt, pull the ties to gather the fabric tighter and fasten them around the bottom of the couch.

Specifically for couches with detachable cushions, two-piece slipcovers come with a slipcover for the couch itself and a separate cover for the cushions. Because the cushions are zipped into their own cover, two-piece slipcovers are less likely to slip off the cushions, providing a more comfortable seating situation.

Remove all couch cushions, pillows and blankets from the couch before you cover a leather couch with a two-piece slipcover. Then, take the slipcover and lay it over the front and back of the couch, draping the arms over the armrests and pulling the slipcover down the back.

Working from low to high, secure any Velcro strips or fasteners in the front of the leather couch and then work your way to the back, tugging the slipcover to ensure a snug fit and tucking the extra fabric into crevices as you would for a one-piece slipcover. Then, insert the couch cushions into the cushion cover, zip it closed and return the cushions to the covered leather couch.