Lovesac Piping vs. No Piping: What's the difference?

Lovesac Sactional covers: piping or no piping? Discover the aesthetic differences and maintenance tips to choose the perfect style for your home decor.
Written by:
Spencer Lanoue

The choice between Lovesac Sactional covers with piping or without comes down to aesthetics and maintenance. Piping - a fabric-covered cord sewn into the seams - creates a structured, tailored look ideal for traditional or formal decor. Opting for no piping delivers a smooth, seamless finish that complements modern and minimalist styles and is slightly easier to clean.

Here’s a detailed look at both options to help you decide which finish is the perfect fit for your home.

Lovesac with Piping

Lovesac's piping option, also known as welt or cording, adds a distinct decorative trim to the edges of Sactional cushions and frames. This classic upholstery technique highlights the furniture's silhouette, giving it a polished and high-end appearance. The piping is made from the same fabric as the cover, creating a sophisticated visual outline that emphasizes the clean lines of the modular pieces.

  • What it is: A structural and decorative finish where a fabric-covered cord is sewn into all major seams of the Sactional covers.
  • Key features: Defines and outlines the shape of each cushion and frame, creating visual texture and depth.
  • Price: May include a small premium compared to no-piping options due to the extra materials and labor involved.
  • Style: Tailored, structured, and classic. It works well in traditional, transitional, and farmhouse-inspired interiors.
  • Pros: Delivers a polished, custom-upholstery look. Emphasizes the furniture's shape. Reinforces the seams, potentially adding to long-term durability. Gives the piece a more formal, finished feel.
  • Cons: A potential snag point for pets' claws or sharp objects. The crevices can collect more dust and debris, requiring more detailed vacuuming. The look may be too formal for strictly minimalist or modern spaces.

The piped finish is for those who appreciate classic design details and want their Sactional to present a more formal, structured look in their living space.

Shop this product: lovesac.com

Lovesac with No Piping

The no-piping option offers a sleek, streamlined alternative for Sactional covers. By forgoing the corded trim, the seams are simple and clean, creating a smooth and uninterrupted surface. This minimalist approach allows the fabric's texture and color to be the main focus, resulting in a distinctly modern and understated piece of furniture that blends effortlessly into its surroundings.

  • What it is: Sactional covers constructed with simple, unadorned seams for a clean-edged, modern profile.
  • Key features: Smooth, uninterrupted lines on all edges. Emphasizes the fabric and form without extra decoration.
  • Price: This is generally the standard option and typically does not have an upcharge.
  • Style: Modern, minimalist, and contemporary. It’s perfect for spaces that prioritize clean lines and an uncluttered look.
  • Pros: Creates a sleek, modern aesthetic. Simpler to clean as there are no crevices for dust or pet hair to get trapped in. Less prone to snagging or fraying along the edges. Gives the Sactional a more casual, relaxed feel.
  • Cons: Can look less "finished" or structured to those who prefer traditional upholstery. Lacks the visual definition that piping provides. The overall appearance is softer and less sharp.

This streamlined choice is ideal for anyone designing a modern or minimalist space where clean profiles and ease of maintenance are top priorities.

Shop this product: lovesac.com

Lovesac Piping vs. No Piping Comparison

Style & Versatility

Your choice will heavily influence the overall feel of your room. Piping instantly cues a more traditional, tailored look. It frames each cushion, creating a sense of structure and intention that fits perfectly in classic, transitional, or even formal living rooms. It offers timeless details that feel more like conventional custom furniture.

No piping is the essence of modern design. Its seamless profile allows the modular nature of the Sactional to stand out, creating a fluid, understated look. This makes it incredibly versatile for contemporary, Scandinavian, or minimalist decor styles. If you prefer a relaxed, approachable, and clutter-free vibe, the no-piping option is a natural fit.

Durability & Construction

Both options feature the high-quality construction Lovesac is known for. From a structural standpoint, piping can marginally reinforce the seams by providing an extra layer of fabric and stitching. However, this same feature can also become a wear point. Over time, the raised cord can be more susceptible to abrasion, pilling, or snagging, especially in a home with pets or children.

No piping eliminates this potential point of failure. The flat seam is less likely to catch on anything, making it a very durable choice for high-traffic households. While it lacks the extra reinforcement of a welt cord, Lovesac’s manufacturing is robust enough that seam integrity is not a major concern for either style.

Maintenance & Cleaning

When it comes to keeping your Sactional clean, no piping holds a clear advantage. The smooth, flat seams can be easily vacuumed or wiped down. There are no ridges for crumbs, dust, or pet hair to become trapped in.

Piping requires a bit more care. The crevices along the corded trim are natural collection points for debris. You’ll need to use a crevice tool on your vacuum to ensure a thorough cleaning. While not a difficult task, it's an extra step to consider if low maintenance is a priority.

Price & Value

Typically, covers without piping represent the standard price for a given fabric. Adding piping may come with a small additional cost, reflecting the added material and labor. The value here is entirely subjective and based on aesthetic preference. If the tailored, high-end look of piping aligns with your design vision, the small price difference is likely a worthy investment for completing the look you want.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both piped and unpiped Sactional covers are great options, but they cater to different homeowners and design sensibilities.

Choose Lovesac with Piping if:

  • Your home interior style is traditional, transitional, or farmhouse.
  • You want a structured, tailored look that feels polished and intentional.
  • You appreciate classic furniture detailing and want to highlight your Sactional's shape.
  • You don't have pets prone to scratching or snagging furniture.

Choose Lovesac with No Piping if:

  • You are creating a modern, minimalist, or contemporary seating area.
  • Ease of cleaning and low maintenance are top priorities for you.
  • You prefer an understated, seamless look where the furniture blends into the space.
  • You have young children or pets and want to minimize potential points of wear like snags.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the main difference between Lovesac piping and no piping?

The main difference is aesthetics. Piping creates a defined, tailored edge for a more traditional and formal appearance. No piping results in a smooth, simple seam for a modern and relaxed look. No piping also tends to be slightly easier to clean.

Is Lovesac piping more durable?

Theoretically, piping reinforces seams, which can add durability. However, the raised edge can also be a point of friction, potential snagging, or wear over time, especially in a busy household. Both options are made to Lovesac’s high standards and should be very durable for everyday use.

Does piping cost more on a Lovesac Sactional?

Yes, choosing covers with piping often adds a small premium to the overall price. This covers the additional materials and labor required to create the corded trim. The exact cost difference can vary depending on the fabric chosen.

Which option is easier to clean?

No piping is easier to clean. Its smooth seams prevent dust, crumbs, and pet hair from getting trapped, allowing for quick vacuuming. Piped edges create a crevice that may require a special vacuum attachment for a thorough cleaning.

Which style is better for a modern home?

No piping is the best choice for a modern home. Its clean, uninterrupted lines perfectly complement the minimalist and streamlined aesthetic that defines contemporary interior design.

Which style is better for a traditional home?

Piping is ideal for a traditional home. Its tailored finish adds a touch of classic sophistication and structure that aligns well with traditional, transitional, and farmhouse decor styles.

Does piping make the Sactional feel different to sit on?

No, the piping is purely a visual and structural detail on the cover's seams. It has no impact on the comfort, firmness, or overall feel of the Lovesac Sactional cushions.

Can you mix and match piped and non-piped covers?

While you technically can, it is generally not recommended. Mixing piped and non-piped covers on the same Sactional configuration would create a visually inconsistent look, as the edges of the pieces would not align aesthetically.

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