Do you need a new office chair? Then be sure to think about the right seat cover. It should be comfortable and easy to care for. So that you can sit comfortably at your workplace and work with concentration at the same time. There are different materials and seat covers. And each material has its own advantages - from super easy to care for to soft and breathable. With our tips you are guaranteed to find the right chair cover!
In this guide we will help you find the right seat cover for your needs. We present it to you different types of seat covers before, show you, what you should consider when choosing and even, how you can reupholster your chair yourself.
The different materials and fabrics of seat covers
Chair covers can be found in a wide variety of materials. Mesh fabrics, fabric covers made of microfiber and polyester covers are often purchased. And for that extra bit of elegance, there are of course classic covers made of real or imitation leather. But what advantages and disadvantages do the different materials bring? What are they made of and what is the best way to clean them? We would like to explain this to you in more detail.
Absolutely on trend – mesh fabric or mesh cover
Mesh covers are absolutely trendy. The so-called "mesh" is a wafer-thin, soft material. There are an infinite number of small holes incorporated into it, which create a unique look and a special structure. Seat covers made of mesh fabric are very permeable to air and therefore extremely breathable. This is of course an advantage in the summer, as sweating then hardly has a chance. For colder days in the office, you can simply protect yourself with a thick sweater. Or you can use a practical seat cover that provides additional warmth. For everyone who likes it If you like airy, light spaces and work in well-tempered offices, the mesh cover is a very good choice.
| Mesh fabric or mesh cover |
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+ Breathable: Perfect for hot environments + Easy to care for: durable and easily washable material + Comfort: Office chairs with mesh cover adapt comfortably to the user Aesthetics: Modern, cool design ~ Air permeable: Pleasant in summer, slightly cooler in winter ~ Elasticity: Mesh backrests are very elastic and adjustable. This may be slightly uncomfortable if you prefer a stable sitting position. |
Strong and robust - polyester fabric covers
Polyester covers are also in demand. Because this material not only feels pleasant, it is also particularly abrasion and tear-resistant. Polyester covers are ideal for everyday use in the office because they are easy to clean. This works great with a vacuum cleaner or a damp cloth. If you are struggling with stubborn stains, we recommend using upholstery cleaners.
Since polyester covers are very finely woven, the material absorbs little moisture. Especially in warmer climes or in summer, breathable covers such as microfiber or mesh are probably more comfortable on the skin because you don't sweat as quickly. Seat covers made of polyester are usually available for little money.
| Polyester seat cover |
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+ Scuff-resistant, robust and resilient + Comfortable: Soft material + Durable: Lasts about 8 years + Colors usually last a long time and do not fade x Not very breathable: The air permeability is lower, polyester absorbs little moisture |
Pleasantly soft – microfiber
If you choose microfiber chair covers, you can look forward to particularly soft and comfortable fabrics. The individual fibers of this fabric are extremely thin. Much smaller than the diameter of a human hair. Because the threads are so fine, they are very tightly bonded together during production. The positive thing about it? The surface is resistant to lint and hardly attracts dust. The material is therefore also suitable if you are prone to allergies.
The fine fibers withstand all strains. Cookie crumbs, children playing or liquids are not a big problem for the microfiber fabric. And if something does drip onto the seat cover, stains can be removed relatively easily. Simply wipe the cover with a damp cloth. It's worth being quick. The fresher the stain, the better the cleaning result.
| Microfiber seat cover |
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+ Cheap to purchase + Pleasantly soft material + Comfortable + Good heat exchange + Dries quickly + Resilient ~ Removing dried stains is a little more complicated |
Not to be underestimated – artificial leather
Faux leather seat covers are popular in office spaces. They are cheaper than real leather and still make the executive chair a chic eye-catcher. In addition, unlike real leather, they are vegan - a nice plus, and not just for animal rights activists. Imitation leather is generally less breathable than real leather - but if the quality is good, the difference is not that big.
In addition to breathability, the difference in quality can also be seen in the feel. Cheaper synthetic leather often contains plasticizers that make the material porous and brittle over time. Modern, high-quality artificial leather, on the other hand, feels almost as fine and soft as its real brother, but is much easier to care for and more robust.
| Faux leather seat cover |
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+ Cheaper than real leather + Very resistant to wear and tear + Elegant optics + Easy to care for, wipe clean with a damp cloth + Free from animal skin (vegan) ~ Signs of wear appear a little faster ~ Less breathable than real leather ~ Cold: The surface cools down more quickly, but is still an advantage in summer x Cheap material may contain plasticizers |
Noble and classic – genuine leather
Without a doubt, genuine leather seat covers are elegant. However, they are made of animal skin (usually cow) and care is a little more complex than other office furniture. Leather in the office is popular because it is particularly durable and robust. Signs of wear and tear are virtually non-existent and it can actually become even more beautiful after years. Due to its unique grain, each cover is unique, which plays an important role for leather lovers. Leather is very breathable, so it has a pleasantly cooling effect on the skin even in summer.
Leather – tips for care
To ensure that your leather cover stays beautiful for a long time, you should care for it well and regularly. For example, our leather professionals recommend treating the chair with leather grease again and again. This keeps the leather smooth and supple. However, fresh stains can usually be easily wiped off with a soft cloth and vacuumed up. Depending on the quality of the leather, stains are harder or easier to remove. If coffee spills onto your seat, the leather can become damp and form unsightly stains.
Our tip: If you choose darker colors, smaller dirt will be less noticeable anyway.
| Seat cover made of genuine leather |
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+ Durable and robust + Unique grain (one-of-a-kind) + Elegant optics + Breathable ~ Care is a bit time-consuming, so stubborn dirt is better left in professional hands ~ More expensive than faux leather x Not pet friendly |
You should consider these features for seat covers when purchasing
In addition to the different materials, there are a few aspects that you should keep an eye on before purchasing. We have summarized the most important features for you when choosing your office chair cover:
| feature | Description | Examples/dimensions |
| Breathability | How much air circulation does the cover allow? | Breathable fabrics: leather, microfiber, mesh |
| Abrasion resistance/fastness to rubbing | How many scrubs can a cover endure before it rubs off on other fabrics? | Classified from 1 (colors off) to 5 (very abrasion resistant) |
| Scrub tours | Abrasion resistance tells you how durable a fabric is. This is given in abrasion rates or Martindale. | The cover material should have at least 15,000 tours. Then it is slightly durable. Material is very robust after 25,000 tours. |
| pilling | Pilling is the name given to the nodules that tend to form on roughened or fibrous textile surfaces. | The tendency to pill is divided from 1 (very strong) to 5 (no pilling) |
| Light fastness | Does the cover fade easily when exposed to sunlight? | The light fastness is given from level 1 (very low) to level 8 (excellent). |
| Flammability | How quickly does the material ignite? | Usually B1 (flame retardant) or B2 (normally flammable). B2 is usually sufficient for office spaces. |
Reupholster your office chair – this is how you can easily renew your seat cover
If your old chair cover is damaged or you simply fancy a new design, you can usually have it replaced by a specialist company without any problems.
You can also reupholster your office chair yourself. You have two options for this:
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The cover is firmly attached. This is a bit more complex and some craftsmanship should not be missing. You can personalize your chair with the colors and patterns of your choice.
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They use a cover, also called a cover. Slipcovers are usually made of stretch material. Simply pull them over the chair and your office chair will look like new.
Classic chair cover
The design of your office chair also determines which option is better for you. Specifically, you have to pay attention to the seat and backrest shell. If you can easily dismantle it, you can attach a new, tightly clamped cover. Otherwise, covers that you can throw over as a whole are better.
If you want to renew them, the old covers often have to be removed. Depending on the thickness of the fabric layer, it may also work for you to simply pull the new fabric over the old one and then clamp it in place. If you are not sure, just ask at a specialist store of your choice.
Office chair makeover – this is how you reupholster your chair:
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Expose seating and backrest surfaces
First, remove the backrest from the chair. This is usually in the plastic socket and has to be removed with a little force. You usually have to unscrew the seat shells. It is important that the areas are accessible. But disassemble as little as possible.
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Remove the old cover
If your old cover is stapled, pull out the staples one at a time. If it is glued, you have to scrape up the glued areas. The best way to do this is to use a scraper or scraper. You may even be able to leave the old cover on. If this is thin enough, it can be covered with new material.
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Cut the new cover
Measure the new upholstery fabric. It should protrude at least five centimeters beyond the area that will later be glued or stapled.
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Cover chair
Start attaching the cover to a straight edge of the seat. Then stretch the opposite side tightly and fasten it. Then come the other two sides. You can then work out the curves. Attention: Always pull the fabric tightly.
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Cut off excess
Once the new fabric is solid all around, you can cut off the excess material. Now repeat the whole process again for the backrest and - and your new swivel chair is ready!
Tip: Reupholster the chair yourself
If you want to reupholster your chair, you can also touch up the upholstery at the same time. This works well with foam and so-called padding wadding. To do this, the padding is stapled to the chair over the existing foam padding. If the foam is very worn out, we recommend that you replace it too. However, since there are many different foam materials, it is better to seek professional advice.
The right padding
Do you want to be able to sit comfortably on your office chair for a long time? Then you should definitely pay attention to good padding. This means you can also make longer sessions comfortable.
How important is a seat cushion?
For longer working hours and a relaxed back, padded chairs are a good choice. The padding helps you sit correctly and helps prevent tension. Chairs that are only used for a short time, i.e. in the waiting room or in visitor rooms, do not necessarily have to be upholstered. In this case, the cushions are comfortable, but not absolutely necessary. In principle, however, they should be placed on chairs without upholstery, e.g. B. made of wood or plastic, don't spend so long.
The different seat cushions are available:
Mesh fabric
If you like airy, light and cushioned seating, then you should look at an office chair with a mesh backrest. This breathable fabric is stretched around the backrest like a tennis racket. This allows the air to circulate wonderfully. A great advantage for slightly cooling your back, especially in summer. And when it gets colder, you can provide additional warmth with a practical pad on your back.
Foam
Foam padding is particularly durable. The soft material is often found in mattresses. But sofas, armchairs and chairs are also upholstered with foam. The advantage of foam? It is extremely flexible and therefore adapts comfortably to the body.
When it comes to the quality of the foam, pay attention to the so-called compression hardness and the density:
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Compression hardness: The compression hardness indicates the strength of foam materials, i.e. describes how soft or hard they are. It can also be referred to as “indentation hardness”. The compression hardness is given in kilopascals (kPa). The higher the compression hardness value, the firmer the foam is.
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Dimensional weight: The density (also RG) says something about the quality and longevity of the foam. The production of foam creates small air pockets and pores in the material. These ensure positive properties such as breathability and durability of the upholstery or mattress.
Basically:
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The lower the density, the more breathable the foam is.
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With its low density, the cushion is very flexible and only slowly returns to its original shape.
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Foams with a high density are very dimensionally stable and the formation of hollows is avoided.
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The higher the density, the longer the lifespan of the upholstery.
Both details, i.e. the compression hardness and the density, say something about the strength. For heavier people, the firmness of the office chair cushion may be higher. For lighter people, lower firmness is usually more comfortable.
Gel or gel pad
Desk chairs with gel padding, also known as memory foam, are pleasantly soft and comfortable. The inner material adapts optimally to the body, making desk chairs with gel padding super ergonomic and well suited for long periods of sitting at the workplace.
Seat covers for the car
Very popular and extremely practical: seat covers for your car. These are pulled over the driver, passenger seat or back seat and thus protect your car seats. At the same time, you can design your seats individually or visually upgrade old seat upholstery. And if the children do drop their food on the seats, your car seats will remain well protected. There are practical protective covers for this. You can also use it to cover up any damage to the old covers. If you want it to be warmer and cozier, there are even fur seat covers or – pleasant and relaxing for the back – car seat covers with a massage function.
How do I find the right car seat cover?
Basically, you always choose the cover based on the vehicle type and the year the car was manufactured. The cover fits accordingly. Of course, there are also universal car covers and seat cushions that fit almost every type of seat.
Just like with chairs, car covers are made of various materials, including:
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Fabric or textile: They adapt perfectly to the seat and are secured under the car seat with a tension strap.
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Faux fur: Has a warming function - pleasant in winter
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Real and artificial leather: They are usually not available as a universal cover, but are tailored precisely to the vehicle type.
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Polyester: Rather inexpensive and often only used for protection.
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Neoprene: Good for summer as they reduce sweating and are comfortable.
Which covers are the right one depends on your needs. Simple textile seat covers are suitable to protect against dirt. But if you want to spruce up the interior of your car, you can use custom-fit seat covers made of real or imitation leather. And not to forget, if you want it to be cozy and warm, then fur covers are the best choice.
Do you want to know more?
In our guide you will find further interesting content on the broad topic of sitting. Of course, we are also happy to provide you with advice and assistance: via telephone, email or online chat. We are here for you and look forward to hearing from you!