Comments on: How do I make my couch cushions stay put?

Question: How do I make my couch cushions stay put?

aladfar — Mon, 31 May 2004 20:32:07 -0800

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?

By: Coffeemate

Coffeemate — Mon, 31 May 2004 20:41:38 -0800

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.

By: marsha56

marsha56 — Mon, 31 May 2004 20:53:21 -0800

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.

By: five fresh fish

five fresh fish — Mon, 31 May 2004 21:04:07 -0800

Rubbery mat anti-slip stuff. It's kinda lacey and sticky.

By: mookieproof

mookieproof — Mon, 31 May 2004 22:00:02 -0800

I thought only people from Pittsburgh said "slippy"!

By: dhartung

dhartung — Mon, 31 May 2004 22:08:18 -0800

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.

By: scarabic

scarabic — Mon, 31 May 2004 22:23:49 -0800

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.

By: malpractice

malpractice — Mon, 31 May 2004 23:08:33 -0800

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

By: jacquilynne

jacquilynne — Tue, 01 Jun 2004 05:12:13 -0800

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.

By: nprigoda

nprigoda — Tue, 01 Jun 2004 05:34:41 -0800

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.

By: Mo Nickels

Mo Nickels — Tue, 01 Jun 2004 06:34:15 -0800

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)

By: dejah420

dejah420 — Tue, 01 Jun 2004 09:24:54 -0800

I second the rug waffle idea...and velcro was my first thought, but npr makes valid points about the potential for destruction...