This unexpectedly affordable designer-approved buy has saved me from reupholstering my sofa – and it's my favorite hack for busy households
Add comfort, color, and style to your old sofa with this simple layering trick


It will never fail to surprise me how quickly a new couch can go from clean and crisp to grubby and tired. Thankfully, I've found the solution that requires neither a new sofa nor reupholstering – and no, it's not a slipcover.
Introducing the sofa topper. Whether your couch is looking a bit worn or you just want to refresh your living room without splurging on new furniture, a sofa topper is a stylish and affordable way to breathe new life into your space.
And designers are on board with the couch trend too. Offering new color, pattern, and additional comfort, if you've invested in the best couch you could afford but are now finding it a little lackluster, a sofa topper just might be what you've been looking for.
Fabric pulls, dirty marks, and saggy cushions would all typically be signs you need a new couch. Adding a topper, however, is a simple trick that allows you to experiment with color or hide a multitude of sins without the hassle of reupholstery or a costly sofa upgrade.
'We started using toppers on our sofas and chairs as a way to add texture and print to otherwise plain sofas,' says Raili Clasen of RailiCA Design. 'I do not "over-pillow" when styling our sofas, so adding these hits of pattern is an exciting way to give character to a usually solid piece.'
'Our clients also love them because toppers add a safety layer to protect the sofa from pet stains, and teenagers,' she adds. Plus, unlike a slipcover, a topper actually can improve the comfort of your worn couch, too.
Shop stylish sofa toppers
While a sofa topper is a genius and expert-approved design addition, there aren't too many chic on the market right now. So to avoid you going bespoke, I've done some digging and found six of the most stylish and affordable options out there – I promise these really come to life when in situ.
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Pottery Barn makes this chic oatmeal linen and cotton-blend topper in both a medium and large size to fit your sofa. It's quilted for extra thickness and durability, and would look equally as good on a bench seat or breakfast nook.
Sofa toppers are such a simple yet stylish way to breathe new life into your couch without the expense or hassle of buying new living room furniture. Whether you’re after a pop of color, a fresh pattern, or just some extra comfort for those cozy evenings in, this little addition really packs a punch.

Charlotte is the style and trends editor at Homes and Gardens and has been with the team since Christmas 2023. Following a 5 year career in Fashion, she has worked at many women's glossy magazines including Grazia, Stylist, and Hello!, and as Interiors Editor for British heritage department store Liberty. Her role at H&G fuses her love of style with her passion for interior design, and she is currently undergoing her second home renovation - you can follow her journey over on @olbyhome
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