Slipcovers come in many different materials and fabrics. Which one works for you is decided by your reasons for outfitting your sofas with covers. Whether you want style or affordability, comfort or luxury, there is a material for every need and use case.
Looking for a slipcover that lasts? => Heavy cotton, canvas, or twill blend
If your sofa has to regularly endure the not so tender affections of your kids and pets, you need materials that are easy to clean. Also, unless you are up to replacing your covers every week, you need thicker and more durable fabrics as well.
Cotton (the heavy kind), canvas, and twill blend are the ideal materials for this, as they are cheap and low maintenance, not to mention resistant to daily wear and tear. While this limits your design choices, slipcovers made of these materials tend to be comfortable and easy to put on any sofa, allowing you to replace them frequently if needed.
Prefer something more form-fitting? => Polyester, micro-suede, or spandex blend
When your only purpose is transforming the look of your sofa set, then you can easily go with thin materials that can be stretched tight over the couch. This allows you to prioritize the style and pattern instead of the durability of the fabric.
Synthetic fibers like polyester or spandex blend are best for this purpose, as they are lightweight and do not crease easily. Such materials also tend to offer a wider variety of color and print options that can fit with any decoration style.
The con is that they tear quite easily, which ruins the whole cover. Still, these materials are not meant for long-lasting covers, but rather stylish coats that are discarded to pave the way for a new look every few months.
Aiming for a luxurious feel? => Wool, linen, and silk
Maybe you don't care for frequently changing the look of your sofa. In that case, you can go with high-quality materials that lend your couches a classy look.
Materials like wool, linen, or silk are great for a velvety, luxurious feel on your sofa. Keep in mind that these fabrics need to be dry-cleaned, so the upkeep is going to be more expensive as well, apart from being more involved to remove.
But if you are willing to shell for it, these are the best kind of materials for giving a premium makeover to your sofas, which can work very well with any kind of living room.