The Best Protective Couch Covers for Pets and Kids

Messy fingers and muddy paws don't stand a chance against these sofa slipcovers.

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January 30, 2024

Slipcovers and protective covers are our favorite secret weapons against just about any sofa-related conundrum you could find yourself in.

Constantly playing defense between your sticky-fingered toddler and the leather sofa you splurged on after graduation? Protect your investment with a waterproof and sippy cup-resistant sofa slipcover.

Neck deep in potty-training efforts (animal or child)? Sidestep a messy fiasco with a non-slip protective couch cover.

Still working with the well-loved loveseat from college while you save up for your splurge-worthy sofa? A sofa slipcover hides a multitude of sins and can give your space a fresh, new look while you save for your dream sofa.

How to Choose the Best Couch Cover

Our top tip is to take a step back and assess your lifestyle before investing in either a sofa slipcover or protective couch cover for your space. Slipcovers that cover the entire sofa are ideal for anyone on a mission to hide worn upholstery or give their design a totally new look. On the other hand, protective couch covers are great for guarding your sofa against short-term issues like unpredictable toddlers and messy animals.

For long-term use, look for performance fabric or a bleach-friendly white upholstery that you can make look brand-new time and time again. Other great couch cover fabrics include twill blend, stretchy polyester, cotton duck, denim, canvas and heavy-weight linen.

Ready to find the perfect cover for your sofa? Shop our favorite protective couch covers for every style and budget below.

$25.99

This reversible quilted sofa protector takes the cake for our top budget-friendly pick. It comes in six stylish dual-color finishes, and it caters to both box and T-shaped sofa cushions. Bonus: Once it’s seen one-too-many muddy paws, you can toss it in the washer and it will come out looking brand new.

$29.65

Refresh your living room design (or hide that impossible-to-remove cushion stain) with this elastic loveseat cover. The design is failproof and universal; each fabric cover is ultra-stretchy polyester that molds to any sofa. Oh, and it’s under $30, which is always a plus. Snag it in the dark blue finish seen here or scoop up one of several other finishes instead like burgundy, chocolate brown and black.

From $79

Proud owner of a spoiled pooch who disregards all furniture-related boundaries? Add Pottery Barn's Pet Furniture Throw to your cart. The customizable throw comes in the same high-quality upholstery used on Pottery Barn sofas, including tons of their top-notch performance fabric options, too. We’re obsessed with this concept because, unlike true slipcovers, this throw can be removed in seconds to prepare for the occasional non-shedding, pawless guests.

From $49

Guard your leather sofa against scratches and spills with the Mambe Waterproof Furniture Cover. The cozy microfleece design is reversible with a soft dove-gray finish on one side and a smoky slate hue on the reverse. Each cover boasts an undetectable waterproof interior that keeps your cushions damage-free while entertaining your grandkids or playing with an especially precocious pup.

Hide the wear and tear on your hand-me-down sofa with this texture-rich linen sofa coverlet. The handmade coverlet is made from high-quality stone-washed Baltic linen and comes in your choice of 16 stunning hues to best complement your existing decor. This breezy coverlet drapes across your sofa and is designed to tuck neatly into corners to protect your cushions and yield an effortless, elegant look ideal for cottage, coastal and French country designs alike.

$194.99 $120.1

The only thing better than your favorite pair of jeans is this denim sofa slipcover. The machine-washable cover is crafted to last with genuine denim twill in a dark indigo wash. The patented one-piece design features an attached skirt, cinched seats, four corner pleats and darling tie closures under each arm.

From $169

Keep your sofa, loveseat or sectional free from fur and scratch marks with a little help from this dog-friendly protector from Orvis. The comfortable couch covers are made from quilted microfiber and feature an internal liquid guard to keep your sofa cushions free from slobber (or worse). Best part? The diamond-clad design comes with a zip-off bolster pillow to provide your pooch with ample support and comfort while they snooze.

From $198

Non-slip, water-resistant and weighted — this protective couch cover checks all our boxes for pet and kid-friendly homes. The unique design covers your sofa back, arms and front with a reliable non-slip technology that keeps sticky fingers and muddy paws far from your actual sofa. The Grip-Tight Furniture Protector boasts more than 1,100 rave reviews and comes in three neutral hues to best complement your sofa or surrounding living room furniture.

$92.99 $85.99

Give your hand-me-down sofa a new lease on life with Darby Home Co 100% Cotton Box Cushion Sofa Slipcover. The white, tailored design features a polished skirt and serves as a classic canvas for coastal, farmhouse and traditional spaces alike. Each set includes an individual frame slipcover piece and seat covers.

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