Are you searching for affordable, washable white slipcovers? This is a question I get often and one I’ve been hunting for myself. Today I’m sharing the slipcovers I bought for my Ikea Ektorp chairs and why I think they’re a great option. White slipcovers may not feel like the obvious choice for fall, but there’s no single color palette required for cozy autumn decorating. You can create a warm, layered feel for fall and winter using the colors and textures that work in your home. Fall is as much about a feeling as it is about specific décor choices, and over the next weeks I’ll share more ideas on that theme.
Finding affordable slipcovers
I’ve long loved white washable slipcovers on our Pottery Barn sofas, and I often get questions about where to find them. When we moved into this house last fall, it already had slipcovered Ikea Ektorp pieces, and our Pottery Barn sofa moved to our daughter’s home because it didn’t fit this room.
While we may eventually replace furniture after our remodel, I appreciate the classic, comfortable shape of the Ektorp sofa and chairs. Slipcovers are an easy way to refresh seating without buying new pieces, especially if you can find an affordable option. In the past I’ve found discounted Pottery Barn slipcovers on Etsy, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace, and sometimes store models or outlet finds are a good deal.
Decorating on a budget over time
After a busy year of moves, family events, a wedding, and planning a kitchen remodel, we hadn’t focused much on decorating. With fall approaching I finally felt inspired to make a few simple, budget-friendly changes to help the room feel more like home.
Even though new flooring and other renovations are planned, those projects can take time. Instead of waiting for everything to be finished, I made small updates that fit my timing and budget. Decorating in stages is a practical and satisfying approach.
Moving a blue-and-white rug from our previous home, rearranging furniture around a round table, and adding fresh white slipcovers to the chairs made a noticeable difference. Sometimes rearranging and using items you already own — paired with an affordable update like slipcovers — is all it takes to change the feel of a room.
I didn’t want to invest in new furniture or expensive custom slipcovers yet, so I searched for good alternatives and found slipcovers that fit our Ektorp chairs on a major online marketplace. They come in sizes for other chair styles, too. I took a chance and I’m delighted with the result — they look and feel great.
This affordable update refreshed the furniture and the entire room. Sometimes the hardest part is getting started, and once you do, it’s easier to keep going.
How do these slipcovers compare to Pottery Barn?
These white slipcovers fit, feel, and look very similar to the soft warm-white denim slipcovers I’ve owned from Pottery Barn. They have good construction details like piping trim, which gives a more custom look. While I can’t promise prices will remain low, they’re currently a great value if you want to update your chairs for the season.
Years ago I tried the IKEA white slipcover for an Ektorp chair and didn’t love it. The slipcovers I found this time feel much nicer than that older IKEA option. In some cases IKEA and Pottery Barn slipcovers can be interchangeable, but that’s not always true, so it helps to check fit carefully.
Adding white slipcovers made the room feel much more like home. If you wonder why I chose white even as fall approaches (or with dogs in the house), white works year-round with our cottage/beach house style. It also provides a neutral base that’s easy to layer with texture, pattern, and seasonal colors.
How do you keep white slipcovers clean with dogs?
Many of you ask how we keep white furniture looking clean with dogs. A simple solution is to use reversible blankets or throws layered over seating where the dogs like to jump up. These are easy to wash and swap out, and they add texture and color while protecting slipcovers.
Note: our Ikea Ektorp sofa is covered in a light blue slipcover that I love, but I don’t yet have a reliable source for that color. I’ll share one if I find an affordable option. I’m also on the lookout for slipcovers in more patterns and colors.
PS. The blue-and-white rug has returned to this room — it’s an indoor/outdoor style that has worked well for us.
See more of our Fall Nesting 2022 Series:
Start here >> A Slower Rhythm Through the Seasons
How to slowly transition your home to fall — decorating tips and a fall mood board
Reversible Blankets for Sofas, Chairs, Beds and More (our mud cloth layering blankets)
Affordable White Washable Slipcovers: Ikea Ektorp Chairs
How to Be Intentional in Planning for Fall and Holidays
Savoring the Last Sunsets of Summer from Our Porch
How to Decorate a Fall Mantel Using What You Have
Vanilla Bourbon Latte: Make Your Morning Coffee Cozier for Fall
Cozy Fall Shop
Shop My House & Latest Decor Finds
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