If you are new to interior design and the world of upholstery, choosing the right fabric for your furniture may feel like a daunting experience. Between all the fabrics, colors, and designs, how do you know which one is right for your living space?
Upholstery fabric for a new sofa, sectional, or armchair can be a big investment, and you don’t want to second-guess your decision the moment you sit down in your chair for the first time. If you choose the wrong material, you may find yourself in a constant battle of snags, stains, and dissatisfaction. If there’s a mistake in the color or pattern, the furniture will throw off the design of the entire room (and potentially lead to having the piece reupholstered).
So, before you rush to pick your new upholstery fabric, explore the variety of fabrics in terms of durability, comfort, and style, and choose the fabric for your furniture that you’ll love for years to come.
And don’t forget to scan our catalog of top furniture brands for inspiration. We have desirable sets and standalone pieces from some of our favorite brands like Ashley, Jackson Furniture, Coaster, and more.
What is Upholstery?
If you’ve never refurbished furniture or you’re buying fabric for the first time, these might be some unfamiliar terms. Essentially, upholstery comprises the materials you would use to cover a piece of furniture. This includes fabric, padding, webbing, and springs—all of which make up the soft coverings of chairs, sofas, and other furniture.
Over the centuries, a wide variety of materials, from hay to horsehair to wool, have been used to cover furniture. Modern upholstered furniture items typically use foam, metal springs, or a combination of the two for greater comfort and durability. While these interior materials aren’t visible, they make a big difference in how long your furniture lasts.
The Types of Upholstery Fabric
Choosing the right fabric is important, and luckily, it can always be changed (and may need to be changed depending on wear and tear). There are a few common fibers used in most upholstery fabrics. You may find one fiber used all together, or a blend of fibers used in a variety of fabric types. Here are a few different types that can affect the performance of your furniture:
- Cotton
- Linen
- Wool
- Silk
- Rayon/Viscose
- Polyester
- Nylon
- Acrylic
- Olefin
How to Choose the Right Upholstery Fabric
Now that you know what to look for, what makes certain fabrics the right choice for your furniture?
Durability
If your piece of upholstered furniture is intended for everyday use, durability is an important factor to consider. If you have kids who like to jump on the furniture (even when you repeatedly tell them not to), or if you have dogs or cats that like to curl up on the couch for a nap, look for upholstery fabrics treated for routine performance, such as stain resistance, water repellants, or UV resistance.
Durability is also determined by a manufacturer’s double rub test, where a back-and-forth motion simulates the wear and tear of routine furniture use. The higher number of rubs, the better indicator of a durable product.
Let's discuss children and pets a bit further—and maybe wine connoisseurs to boot. The durability of faux suede makes light work of spills and pet hair. Distressed leather is also a good option if you’re worried about scuffs and scratches. If your household is busy and full of energy, try to avoid delicate and textured materials such as silk, which can stretch and aren’t very forgiving when it comes to set-in stains.
And if you have one or more of these concerns, don’t forget to check out our Total Care Furniture Protection services. We take the risk and worry away with offerings such as three-year coverage protection, fabric and leather coverage, one-time pet forgiveness coverage, frame coverage, construction coverage, and more.
Fabric Care
Upholstery fabric isn’t typically suitable for traditional machine washing or dry cleaning once it’s attached to your furniture, so it’s a good idea to look for stain-repellent fabrics for heavier-use furniture. It's recommended to dry clean any fabric before upholstering if cleaning is desired. Once your fabric is set, use spot cleaners and mist your furniture with fabric protectant spray.
Color
Color is a big choice for your furniture and the overall design of your indoor space. It is dependent on the type of furniture you want to showcase. Darker neutral hues are popular because they match any décor and won’t go out of style, and they also do a good job of hiding dirt, rips, and scuff marks.
Consider lighter, cooler tones in solid hues if you want to create an airy and welcoming mood in your living space. If you really want to go bold and unique, a bright and colorful patterned fabric will certainly make a statement in your home.
The Piece Itself
Don’t forget about the shape of the furniture. This will affect the layout of your home and how your space transitions from room to room. If you’re upholstering a piece with some curvature like a chaise lounge or recliner, solid-colored fabrics will work best. Patterns or textures with a distinct direction don’t always upholster well—they might look great on a strip of fabric, but an ornate shape won’t always translate once it’s stuck onto a piece of furniture.
Size is another important factor. Larger pieces like sofas stand out best in rich, solid colors or classic neutrals so you won’t tire out of your furniture over time. It's easier to liven things up with smaller pieces like accent chairs with bold shapes and patterns.
Lastly, think about the surrounding furnishings in the room. Whether they’re old pieces, new pieces, or other pieces you plan to upholster, you’ll want to be sure the colors, textures, and patterns all match up well and look cohesive together.
Which Fabric is Best for Furniture?
Now that you know what type of fabric to look for, the next part of our fabrics guide will discuss the reasons why certain fabric types are good for furniture. These upholstery fabrics come in a variety of colors, fibers, treatments, and weights, so you’re bound to find one to match your design space and décor.
- Chenille – Similar to velvet, it is a comfortable choice for heavier use pieces, and it will show little to no abrasion over time.
- Faux Suede – Typically a polyester-blend fabric, this fuzzy exterior mimics suede for an elevated look. It's a strong material that is easy to clean and will hold up well with heavy use from kids and pets.
- Velvet – Velvet is a more luxurious material with its soft sheen. It can withstand heavy usage and is a more attractive choice for home décor. If there is a spill or stain, it does need to be tended to immediately.
- Tweed – Textured woven fabrics hide stains well and they do a great job reducing fabric snags and tears.
- Faux Leather – An easy-to-clean choice for children’s furniture and other high-usage pieces, this material needs to be cleaned or conditioned semi-regularly to limit the risk of cracking.
- Marine Vinyl – Perfect for those indoor-outdoor pieces, marine vinyl is made to resist weather and harsh elements. This material mimics leather and is extremely durable and easy to clean.
- Jacquard – A heavier material with patterned fabric, it has style and texture. Best used for decorative pieces.
- Duck/Canvas – A strong, plain weave fabric, ideal for printed designs. If made of cotton, the fabric shape can warp and become misshapen with heavy use, so it’s best used on decorative furniture pieces and accent or throw pillows.
Think Outside the Swatch
If you feel inspired by this fabric guide and you fall in love with a material you don’t see in our store, ask for a swatch you can drape over your furnishing to get a better idea of how the texture and color will look in your home. Take your time with this process—a little due diligence will help you avoid a disappointing surprise and ensure your piece is upholstered just how you envisioned.
And don’t limit yourself—if you’ve got some wicked DIY skills and the name of a great upholsterer saved in your Rolodex, try some unconventional materials like vintage blankets to give your space a personalized and unique touch. A bold fabric on a traditional furniture piece can set your whole room on fire—in the best way possible.
Our fabrics guide is just the beginning—if you want to find out more and you’re ready to start looking for new furniture pieces to complete your living space, give us a call or visit us at Big Sandy to shop all things furniture and home décor. What more could you ask for this year?