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The most common reason a sofa cover does not fit is a measurement error — and the most common measurement error is including the armrests. Sofa cover sizing is based on the back length of the sofa excluding the armrests. This single fact is responsible for more wrong-size orders than any other. Read this guide before buying, take three measurements, and you will get the right size the first time.
If you are still deciding which cover to buy, see our full guide to choosing the right sofa cover. Once you have your measurements and have selected your size, read the step-by-step fitting guide to get a perfect result.
When most people are asked to measure their sofa, they measure from armrest to armrest — because that is what feels like the full width of the sofa. This is the wrong measurement for a slipcover. It consistently produces results that are 30–60cm larger than the correct measurement, leading to buyers purchasing a size too large and receiving a cover with excess fabric that will never fit cleanly.
The correct measurement is the back length: the width of the sofa back panel only, measured from the inner edge of one armrest to the inner edge of the other. This is the measurement that determines your sofa's size category.
Use a tape measure. Start at the point where the sofa back meets the inner face of the left armrest. Measure horizontally across to the point where the back meets the inner face of the right armrest. Do not include any part of the armrest in this measurement. Record the result in centimetres.
This measurement determines your size:
If your measurement falls between two size ranges, always choose the larger size. WavyTech™ stretch compensates for the difference — it is always better to have a cover with a little more stretch than one that is too tight.
Measure from the front edge of the seat to the back of the sofa (where the seat meets the sofa back). All Bellissima sofa covers accommodate a depth of up to 90 cm. If your sofa seat depth exceeds 90 cm, contact us before ordering. For bed covers, the equivalent measurement is the frame height, which should not exceed 50 cm.
Measure from the top of the sofa seat to the top of the sofa back. All Bellissima sofa covers accommodate a back height of up to 100 cm. Bed headboard covers accommodate headboard heights of up to 130 cm. Check this measurement if your sofa has a particularly tall or low back.
Sectional sofas require additional measurements. Use the same back-length method (excluding armrests) for each straight section, then add the two measurements together. The combined back length must fall within the 180–370 cm range covered by the Corner and L-Shaped covers.
For L-Shaped sofas, you will also need the ledge length — the length of the chaise section from the corner join to the end of the chaise. Bellissima L-Shaped covers accommodate ledge lengths of 100–170 cm. Measure this carefully and confirm before ordering. For more detail on sectional measurement, see our guide to L-shaped and corner sofa covers.
For bed covers, measure the width of the bed frame (not the mattress width). Single: 80–140 cm. Double: 140–180 cm. King: 180–210 cm. Also confirm the headboard height does not exceed 130 cm and the frame height does not exceed 50 cm.
| Product | Back Length | Depth | Height |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Seater | 60–100 cm | Up to 90 cm | Up to 100 cm |
| 2 Seater | 100–160 cm | Up to 90 cm | Up to 100 cm |
| 3 Seater | 160–220 cm | Up to 90 cm | Up to 100 cm |
| 4 Seater | 220–280 cm | Up to 90 cm | Up to 100 cm |
| Corner / L-Shaped | 180–370 cm | — | Up to 100 cm |
| Bed — Single | 80–140 cm wide | — | Headboard up to 130 cm |
| Bed — Double | 140–180 cm wide | — | Headboard up to 130 cm |
| Bed — King | 180–210 cm wide | — | Headboard up to 130 cm |
A full visual measurement guide is also available on the Bellissima size guide page.
Always go larger. A back length of exactly 160 cm could be covered by a 2 Seater (100–160 cm) or a 3 Seater (160–220 cm). Choose the 3 Seater. WavyTech™ stretch will ensure it fits precisely — and the extra stretch means a cleaner fit across the full depth and height.
Yes. If one side of your sofa has an extended chaise (making it L-shaped), you need an L-Shaped cover, not a standard sofa cover. Measure the main sofa back and the chaise ledge separately and confirm both fall within the L-Shaped cover range (back 180–370 cm, ledge 100–170 cm).
Measure the sofa frame without cushions for the most accurate back length and depth readings. Cushions compress and change the effective measurements. The cover goes over the frame first; cushions are placed on top afterward.
