They make furniture last longer and are honorable for the environment — and no , they do n’t have to be an eyesore .

Dana Gallagher

At time , living a sustainable life style can seem like an overwhelming task . You want to be conscious of the satellite and reduce your footmark whenever potential — but where do you start ? Actually , you could pop with the arms of your lounge .

striped blanket laid over arm of gray couch

Credit:Dana Gallagher

Before mass production and online shopping , it was await that purchases would last for eld . citizenry want to control their belongings stayed in well circumstance — including fixing them when damaged . This set aside item to remain in usance — and therefore out of landfills — for longer periods of time . And you could do the same — with everything from habiliment to couches .

One way to embrace our grandparent ' mend - and - make - do attitude is to discover ways to employ furniture longer , preserve it in its best shape for as long as potential . An well-off way to extend the lifespan of your furniture is quite uncomplicated : add arm covers to your couches and chairperson .

This admittedly is n’t the most glamourous trend , but it ’s a pragmatic way to make the most of some of your largest ( and most expensive ) pieces of furniture . Not only will you finger good about your environmental selection , but you ’ll also save some money in the prospicient running play .

While our grandparent might not have been thinking of mood change , their frugality and antipathy for waste hold them from view their possessions as disposable . However , now , for different reasons , more citizenry are coming to embrace this outlook today , as the disconfirming impact of fast mode and overconsumption on the environment become more and more plain .

The subdivision of chairs and couches are gamey - touch areas and are often the first places to show signs of dirt , wear and tear , and age . Whileslipcovers are an option , they do n’t run for all types of article of furniture — and they can take off from the overall facial expression of your way . Arm covers are small , less expensive , and ultimately less noticeable than a full slipcover . While removing and washing your slipcovers can take some exploit , small arm covers can easily be thrown in the washing machine and supercede when in need of a refresh .

Despite these perks , you might not be ready to leap on the couch - limb - covering trend yet . For many , these arm screen seem dated and conjure up visions of shapeless pieces of cloth that invariably return off the side of the chair . But that does n’t have to be the guinea pig .

If you require your arm covers to fit out seamlessly into your furniture and intent , you could have some tradition - made in the same fabric as your couch or chair . When well - orient , they ’re hardly detectable .

you could also take a different route by selecting a cover that contrast with the colour of the couch . This create a new design constituent , much like addingthrow pillowsor a blanket would . This means you could corrupt the book binding pre - made , which is often a more monetary value - effective option .

Prefab branch covers occur in a variety of materials : Some of them stretch , so they ’re less likely to slip and fall ( and can fit on various sofa styles ) , while others are quite decorative , made with opulent fabrics and bang . There are even covers with pockets that allow you to have your books , reading trash , and cell earphone tight at hand .

When all else fails , you’re able to drape a stroke blanket across the armrest of a often used side of the couch .

If you ’re still not sold on the look of arm cover , retrieve they ’re not lasting . If you really want a clean looking at or have tops modern article of furniture , you’re able to use the covers during the sidereal day , then remove them for a sleeker mode when you have visitant . That way , you ’re still extend the spirit of your article of furniture without sacrificing anything in term of design .