How do I make my couch cushions stay put?

May 31, 2004 8:32 PM

Slippy couch cushions: On the most comfortable piece of furniture I own, the cushions have an annoying habit of slipping out from under whomever sits on them. Not instantly, of course, but in a slow, inexorable creep toward the floor. I end up tucking them back into place at least once every day. Any suggestions?

I've thought about going to town with some industrial safety (diaper) pins, but that seems a little invasive. Is there a material of some kind I can place under the cushions to give them a bit more friction?

posted by aladfar to Home & Garden (11 answers total)

We've used padded shelf liner to help slow this problem with our couch. It's got a sticky-ish waffle weave and is usually found with the contact paper shelf liners in Target. etc.

It's not perfect, but it helps.
posted by Coffeemate at 8:41 PM on May 31, 2004

I don't think you should use any kind of pins. They might rip the upholstery fabric. You might want to try these. I haven't used them on upholstered furniture, but they work great for keeping items from slipping around on the tops of end tables, and from scratching wood funiture. I've used them under candle holders to keep the cats from pushing them off the table. It's very easy to cut to fit.
posted by marsha56 at 8:53 PM on May 31, 2004

Rubbery mat anti-slip stuff. It's kinda lacey and sticky.
posted by five fresh fish at 9:04 PM on May 31, 2004

I thought only people from Pittsburgh said "slippy"!
posted by mookieproof at 10:00 PM on May 31, 2004

There's a stronger type made for keeping throw rugs in place (e.g. at back doors). Look for that; the shelf-liner stuff might be too flimsy.
posted by dhartung at 10:08 PM on May 31, 2004

Sew thick strips of velcro onto the bottom of the cushions, and onto the surface underneath them. Put the strips in parallel to the direction the cushions slide. Use thick, strong stitches. When you place the cushions in, be sure to make the strips of velro meet all the way through. This will slow the sliding down if not stop it completely.
posted by scarabic at 10:23 PM on May 31, 2004

We use velcro tape at work - the strips have an adhesive backing. It's probably sold at stationary shops.
posted by malpractice at 11:08 PM on May 31, 2004

The only problem with the velcro thing is that it means you can't flip over your cushions. What you can do, though, is move that velcro to the back and side of the cusions, and as long as you line up the velcro nicely symmetrically you can still flip and have it meet up. Two strips along the back and one along each side is usually good. It's not as effective as as putting it underneath the cusions, but it leaves you with more choices when you spill red wine on one of your cushions.
posted by jacquilynne at 5:12 AM on June 1, 2004

I think the success of all of the invasive methods (sticking or sewing velcro, diaper pins) rely on the type of material that your couch is made of. If you bought the couch new, there should be a tag that describes the material. Is it satin? Would you say the fabric is relatively thick, or thin? Does it wrinkle?
If it is a thin fabric, any sort of tension on it (the velcro solutions) will rip it.
My early thought was that you should just use industrial spray glue to stick the cushions on, but then you won't be able to remove the covers to wash.
posted by nprigoda at 5:34 AM on June 1, 2004

We use velcro tape at work - the strips have an adhesive backing. It's probably sold at stationary shops.

It's so hard to do the marketing when the greengrocer and the butcher keep changing locations.

(wink)
posted by Mo Nickels at 6:34 AM on June 1, 2004

I second the rug waffle idea...and velcro was my first thought, but npr makes valid points about the potential for destruction...
posted by dejah420 at 9:24 AM on June 1, 2004