There are two different categories of seat covers for dining room (and kitchen) furniture. The two categories are best described as: Dining Chair Seat Covers and Slipcovers. The table below describes will give you a quick overview of the differences.
Seat Covers |
Slipcovers |
|
Primary Purpose |
Protect the sitting area from stains and spills | Change the look of your room |
Positives |
Easy to put on and take off Are often waterproof Maintain the look of your existing furniture |
Can be highly decorative Give your room a new look Hundreds of choices |
Negatives |
Do not protect the fabric on the back of the chair Can be difficult to fit to all chair sizes Can be uncomfortable if you have the wrong variety |
More difficult to put on and take off Limited protection from spills and stains Overwhelming choice of sizes, colors and styles |
Typical look |
 |
|
Given how different the two products are from one another, it will help to be clear on your primary purpose before exploring further. If you want to change the look of your room than a slipcover is for you and you can learn more about them here. But, if you want to protect your chair from wear, tear, spills and stains then you’ll want a dining chair seat cover and can learn how to pick the right one for you here.