Do your car seats have removable covers to protect them? If not, it could be worth investing in some to keep your upholstery pristine for special occasions and future selling purposes.
It’s also fun to put your own stamp on your car’s interior decor, and seat cover choices offer that opportunity. There’s a wide assortment on the market, offering a range of additional benefits, from durability to comfort and more.

Here’s a quick overview of design types, to simplify the options before you start catalog-browsing:

Waterproof and wipeable

If you have young children or dogs, you’ll want heavy-duty, waterproof covers that don’t show the dirt and can be washed, scrubbed and dried without harming the fabric.
For dogs, other options include a large, plastic sheet which can be draped over the entire rear seating area and, taking the concept further, a hammock, with hooks for suspending between the front and back seats.
For the kids, you can buy colorful child seat covers that pop on and off easily for cleaning between journeys.

Heated

If you travel in chilly temperatures, you will appreciate a heated seat to keep you warm and snug.
This popular option comprises a wire-embedded seat cover with a flex to plug into the car’s cigarette lighter. Choose a design with a thick, smooth covering and adjustable thermostat, for maximum comfort.
A heated seat can offer a healthy alternative to the fan heater, which may let in contaminated air from outside.

Back-supporting

Backache is a common problem for drivers and their passengers, especially on long journeys or when seat support is inadequate. But you can avoid this problem by installing back-friendly seats or covers.
Use a chunky, memory-foam cushion to support your posture and help you relax, or cover the seat with a textured fabric designed to massage and support the spine and spinal muscles as the vehicle rolls.

Fun and funky

Being strapped into your seat-belt for long periods can get tedious, especially for children, so brighten up your family journeys with entertaining seat covers.
Browse the product listings, and you’ll find dazzling patterns, favorite TV themes, funny cartoons and comical gimmicks at the crazier end of the spectrum.
You can also choose between more standard designs of the cheerful sort, such as checks, stripes, floral prints and animal hide themes.

Luxurious

If you prefer a fancy luxury and comfort in your car, you’ll find some sumptuous seat protectors to choose from in the catalogs.
Sink into a sheepskin fleece, a woolly fuzz or a soufflé of synthetic, feathery fluff, for instance.
Your family and friends will appreciate the snug feel, too, especially on long drives.

Stylish

Express your personality through your design choice. Skip the standard seat cover styles and seek out something striking or unusual.
If your image is important to you, remember that you are visible through the windscreen and passenger windows of your vehicle, so you may want a fabric that complements your appearance as well as your personality.
Key in some favorite themes and tones and see what your search reveals. A preferred design may cost more than a common one, but if it’s important to you, it could be worth paying that little bit more.

Quiet and tasteful

Bright colours don’t suit everyone, particularly in the confines of a car, and you may be looking for something more calming. Quiet tones and patterns are restful on the eye, which can be beneficial on long or stressful drives.

Subdued colours also denote sophisticated taste and elegance, and will suit any occasion, formal and informal.
You can add to this effect by choosing a colour or shade that fits well with that of the bodywork.

Car seat covers vary widely in price, so consider your budget as well as your preferences before choosing.
Whichever type you settle for, they’re sure to benefit you and your passengers, and your vehicle, of course.

How about a cover for your steering wheel, too?