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Best fabrics for upholstery


Best Fabric for Upholstery for Furniture

Best Fabric for Upholstery for Furniture
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Home is where the heart is. It’s also where life happens, and well-worn furniture is a lovely reminder of the good times. Movie night, game night, sick days, and holidays—your upholstered furniture has probably seen it all. As time marches on, the question of whether to reupholster or buy new furniture has probably come up more than once. 

At the end of the day, it all comes down to your budget. And if new furniture is not in the cards, a weekend DIY project to rehab your furniture might be in order. By choosing the best fabric for upholstery, you can freshen up your space and breathe new life into your favorite furniture pieces.  

What Is Upholstery Material?  

Upholstery material is the textiles or fabrics used to add the finishing touch for furniture pieces. Furniture pieces tend to go through a lot in their lifetime, so upholstery fabrics are heavy and robust enough to withstand that kind of wear and tear. There are natural upholstery fabrics and synthetic upholstery fabrics. 

Natural Upholstery Fabric 

Natural fabric is a popular choice for upholstery, and they typically score high marks for aesthetics. That being said, there are plenty of natural fabrics to choose from, and each one comes with its own pros and cons. 

1. Cotton

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Cotton is the most commonly used type of upholstery fabric and, therefore, the most popular. 

As a natural fabric, cotton has a lot going for it. It’s breathable, wears well, and offers exceptional durability and resistance to fading. 

Cotton can also be easily dyed, so you’ll have no trouble finding it in any color of the rainbow. However, with all the positives that cotton has to offer, there is one significant drawback to using cotton for upholstery material, and that’s its susceptibility to stains. Due to the fact that it can stain so easily, you may not want to use cotton for furniture that sees a lot of action and certainly not for your dining room chairs. 

2. Leather

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Leather is probably the most durable fabric for upholstery, and as an added bonus, it looks pretty dynamite in any space. Great for high traffic areas, kids, and pets, leather upholstery can take a licking and keep on ticking. Leather is also one of the best types of fabric for furniture upholstery because it’s easy to maintain. 

Moreover, leather is known to wear exceptionally well; it’s hard to argue that distressed leather looks pretty fabulous. While leather adds a stylish and swanky feel to any room, it doesn’t offer the soft and squishy feel that other fabrics have. And, of course, the high price points can be off-putting. 

3. Linen

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As far as upholstery fabrics go, linen is always an option, but it may not be an option for every home. Anyone familiar with linen will tell you that it’s quite soft and has a good hand (feels good against your skin). Linen can work for some upholstered items because it’s abrasion-resistant and relatively affordable. 

However, if you have a busy home with small kids and pets, linen should probably be at the bottom of your list. It wrinkles easily, soils easily, and is not suitable for high traffic and shenanigans. 

4. Silk

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Like linen, silk is one of the more luxurious upholstery fabrics you can find. Notably, silk upholstery fabric is often available in a wide variety of patterns, colors, and elegant designs. Silk upholstery is not family-friendly or pet-friendly, so it’s probably best reserved for formal rooms and furniture with little to no traffic.  

Overall, silk is gorgeous but not durable or fade-resistant. But make no mistake, if you choose silk for your upholstery fabric, silk is not cheap, so it’s going to be a big investment. Moreover, silk soils easily, and you will need to have it professionally cleaned when that happens. So, in addition to the initial investment, you will also have to factor in the cost of furniture upholstery cleaning and long-term maintenance. 

5. Wool

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Wool rounds out our list of natural fibers for upholstery. As far as upholstery fabrics go, wool is quite durable. Plus, it's resistant to pilling and staining, which not only makes it a great choice for furniture but also a great choice for high traffic rooms. 

Wool doesn't fade or wrinkle, and it's both fire and water-resistant. And finally, wool is also a good insulator, so it's warm when the weather is cold, and it's cool when the weather is hot. The most notable drawback to wool is the high price tag. 

Synthetic Upholstery Fabric 

Many synthetic upholstery fabrics were created as less expensive and more durable options to their natural counterparts. While there are a host of synthetic upholstery fabrics to choose from, there’s still a lot to consider, especially when it comes to flammability and durability over the long term. 

6. Polyester

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Polyester is a synthetic fiber that’s commonly used in upholstery fabric. Like cotton, it’s often available in a slew of colors, making it quite versatile. Polyester is a great choice for upholstery fabric because it’s durable, comfortable, stain-resistant, and easy to clean. The greatest drawbacks to using polyester as upholstery fabric are that it tends to stretch over time and is flammable, which could present quite a safety hazard in your home. 

7. Olefin (Polypropylene)

One of the lesser-known fabrics for upholstery is olefin. Olefin is a petroleum-based synthetic fiber, so it’s quite durable and great for busy homes, small children, and pets. Aesthetically, olefin looks and feels like wool. This fabric is fade-resistant, fire-resistant, and water-resistant. Plus, it’s easy to clean. 

If you choose olefin fabric for an upholstery project, you may want to keep in mind that your color and patterns choices will be limited, and olefin is quite vulnerable to sunlight and oil-based stains. 

8. Acrylic

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Originally created to imitate wool, acrylic is another synthetic fiber that has found its way as an upholstery fabric. Acrylic is easy to wash and clean; it dries quickly and is sun safe. Altogether these desirable properties make it an excellent go-to for outdoor cushions. If you’re thinking about using it indoors, however, there are some drawbacks you may want to keep in mind. 

Acrylic fabric is not abrasion-resistant, and low-quality acrylic tends to pill easily. Perhaps more importantly, acrylic is highly flammable. While it may take some time to ignite, it will burn quickly once it does. 

9. Rayon 

Rayon makes the list of options for upholstery fabric but with the caveat that it’s not the best choice. While it’s soft, comfortable, and often available in a wide range of colors, rayon won’t look sharp for very long. It wrinkles easily, and it’s generally hard to maintain. This is not the best upholstery fabric for busy homes or your favorite seating areas. 

10. Velvet

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If you’re looking to bump the elegance of your space up a notch or two, you might consider velvet upholstery fabric. Velvet is soft, the colors are rich, and it always seems to look like a million bucks. Keep in mind, though, that velvet has a nap to it, and that can be a pro or a con. 

With high-quality velvet (which can be expensive), that nap can catch the light beautifully and make your furniture and your space look amazing. If you have a low-quality velvet, the nap can flatten quickly, leaving you with furniture that looks a little worse for wear. Velvet can be quite durable, but it’s also difficult to clean. It’s great for adding a posh look to your space but not so great for busy homes.

11. Microfiber

If you like the look of velvet, but you’re not interested in the high price tag or the lack of durability, you might consider microfiber. Made from polyester, microfiber has a velvet-like texture, but it’s far more durable. You’ll also find that the colors in microfiber fabrics are just as rich as velvet. Not only is microfiber a bit more budget-friendly, but it beautifully resists stains and fading, so it’s great for lively homes. 

12. Faux Leather 

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If genuine leather is not in the budget for your upholstery project, faux leather could be the next best thing. Not only is faux leather more affordable, but it’s also durable and easy to maintain. Moreover, advances in manufacturing have created faux leather fabrics that look and feel remarkably like genuine leather. 

The only thing to keep in mind is that full leather does not wear the same way as genuine leather. It’s worth noting that while genuine leather ages beautifully and develops a gorgeous patina over time, faux leather often loses its luster and cracks with age. Faux leather might be best suited for office furniture or office chairs where longevity may not be such an issue.  

13. Acetate 

Created as an affordable option for silk, acetate is a popular choice for upholstery fabric. It's made from synthetic fiber and not only resembles silk in luster and sheen, but it also has the same hand as silk fabrics. 

Acetate is great for furniture items, where you want to create the air of opulence with the corresponding price tag. That said, acetate is not suited for everyday use and is best reserved for statement pieces. Acetate is not durable, and it wrinkles and stains easily.  

If your furniture is looking a little worse for wear, and an upholstery project isn’t your idea of a good time, you can always call in professional upholstery cleaners to restore them to their former glory.

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Recommended Articles

Best Upholstery Fabric

Reupholstering furniture is a great way to switch up the decor in your house without buying new furniture. Maybe you’re on a budget and want to give your home and furniture a facelift, or you just want to change your stained, older upholstery for something new and fresh. That raises the question, what is the best upholstery fabric?

When it comes to the best upholstery fabric, there are quite a lot to choose from. You can go with a natural fabric such as cotton, leather, linen, silk, or wool or a synthetic or semi-synthetic fabric such as acetate, olefin, or polyester. But, the best fabric for you just depends on the function of the piece you’re reupholstering and its location in your home.

In this article, I’ll explain what the best upholstery fabrics are. I’ll also provide a description of the fabric and the pros and cons of each one. Finally, I’ll cover other things you need to consider when deciding which upholstery fabric to use.

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What is Upholstery Fabric?

For starters, what is upholstery fabric, just in case you’ve never done a project like this before? Upholstery fabric is essentially the type of fabric used to cover couches, sofas, chairs, and other types of indoor or outdoor furniture.

Usually, upholstery fabric is often labeled as such at the fabric store. It’s generally more durable than fabric that is more general-purpose while still being comfortable and visually appealing. The added durability of upholstery fabric is because it has to hold up better again wear and tear and spills and be relatively easy to clean when compared to other fabrics.

Upholstery fabrics can be made of the same materials as general-purpose fabrics. You’ll find upholstery fabric made from cotton, polyester, velvet, olefin, etc. However, the type of material and fibers that upholstery fabric is made of should play a major role in choosing which one is best for your project.

What Are the Best Upholstery Fabrics?

Below are the best upholstery fabrics, but you should know that there is no one true best. Each of these fabrics is great for specific uses in its own way. There isn’t necessarily one or two that you should always consider.

The characteristics of each of these fabrics are different, and it’s these characteristics that should determine their uses. I’ll explain the characteristics and qualities of each of these fabrics and the pros and cons of each one to help you decide which one is best for you.

1. Acetate

Acetate fabric is a type of semi-synthetic fabric made from spun cellulose fibers. It’s usually an affordable alternative to more expensive fabrics such as rayon and silk. It has a glossy appearance but is soft and smooth to the touch. The fabric is very lightweight and comes in various colors and styles. It’s very popular to use for sofas, chairs, and loungers.

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2. Acrylic

Acrylic fabric is a synthetic fabric that is made of acrylic fibers. The fibers are essentially a type of plastic, making this fabric exceptionally durable compared to other fabrics on this list. It’s often used as a synthetic alternative to wool or cotton while still lightweight. Because of its durability, it’s especially used for upholstery that would typically be used outdoors rather than indoors since it doesn’t fade easily due to sunlight.

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3. Cotton/Cotton Blend

Cotton and cotton blend fabrics are great choices if you want a more natural-looking fabric for your upholstery. Cotton fabric is made from 100% cotton fibers and cotton blend fabrics are usually a blend of cotton and synthetic polyester fibers. It’s a great all-purpose upholstery choice, but it does have its pros and cons.

By choosing a cotton/polyester blend, you can increase the durability and stain resistance of the fabric. Plus, cotton can fade easily, so if you’re going to use the fabric in sunrooms and rooms that receive a lot of sunlight, it’s better to use either white cotton or a cotton/polyester blend to help reduce fading.

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4. Leather

Leather is another great upholstery fabric that feels cool to the touch when you sit on it. It’s most commonly used for sofas and couches. Leather is loved by many people due to the elegant look that it gives to furniture and the smooth texture. However, it’s really only ideal for indoor furniture and not outdoor furniture.

It’s important to condition your leather upholstery to keep it from drying out, so it is more high-maintenance than other fabrics. Because it can also rip easily, you may wish to avoid leather if you have pets.

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5.

Linen

Linen is a natural fabric that is made from the flax plant. It is one of the most comfortable fabrics there is. When used for upholstery, it can also give your furniture a very fresh and clean look. It’s also very soft to the touch. This is a common fabric to use for sofas and chairs.

It’s worth noting that you’re often limited as to how many colors you can find linen fabric in. You’ll mostly find solid, neutral colors, which are great for matching any decor. But if you want something brighter and patterned, you’ll likely need to choose a different fabric.

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6. Microfiber

Microfiber is a type of synthetic fabric that is usually made from polyester fibers. Microfiber is sometimes referred to as microfiber suede, or faux suede, due to having an appearance that is similar to suede. It’s often used to upholster couches, sofas, and dining room chairs, but it isn’t good for outdoor furniture.

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7. Nylon

I’m going to keep this one short and sweet. Nylon is a very durable synthetic fiber, but it usually isn’t used as an upholstery fabric. Instead, it may often be blended with other synthetic fibers to make them more durable. You’ll most often see nylon fibers blended into upholstery fabrics designed for outdoor use.

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8.

Olefin

Olefin is also known as polypropylene fabric. It is another type of synthetic fiber commonly used for outdoor furniture and pillows. But, it can make a great fabric for chairs and banquette cushions, especially in the dining room and kitchen. It is durable and lightweight and worth considering if you need to reupholster patio furniture.

One reason why olefin makes a great outdoor, kitchen, and dining room fabric is that it is waterproof. Water doesn’t soak into the fabric but pools on top of it instead. It’s a great choice for kids who love to spill things. Olefin is also resistant to mold and weather conditions. Most olefin is treated upon production to make it less prone to fading. But if you live in an extremely hot climate that sees a lot of sunshine, then it may still fade some.

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9.

Polyester

Polyester is one of the more commonly used upholstery fabrics. This synthetic fabric is durable, inexpensive, and comes in a wide range of colors and patterns. Polyester may also be blended with other upholstery fabrics to increase their durability. You could even use polyester outdoors on covered porches. It’s just not going to be as mildew and mold resistant as some other outdoor fabrics.

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10. Rayon

Like the first fabric on this list, acetate, rayon is another semi-synthetic fabric created as a cheaper alternative to silk. You may also see this fabric referred to as viscose. It’s a versatile fabric and is smooth, soft, and cool to the touch. It’s primarily used for indoor upholstery such as couches and chairs.

It’s great for furniture that only gets used occasionally, but it doesn’t tend to retain its appearance over time. For a similar fabric that is more durable, cotton and linen are better upholstery options if you’re planning on using the furniture a lot.

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11. Silk

Silk is one of the most elegant and expensive upholstery fabrics you can buy. It’s smooth and soft to the touch and has a glossy appearance that can quickly give your home a luxurious look. It’s only for indoor use and is commonly used to upholster chairs and chair cushions, pillows, and sometimes even as wallpaper. It’s quite expensive, but there are cheaper alternatives to silk (such as rayon and acetate) that can give your furniture a similar appearance.

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12. Velvet

Velvet usually refers to polyester fabric that has a certain texture. The texture of velvet is soft and it has a shiny, luxurious look that is sure to make your furniture look expensive. Velvet should only be used to upholster indoor furniture. Using velvet can add texture, shine, and elegance to any room. It’s also very versatile and can go with any decor.

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13.

Vinyl

Vinyl can be used as upholstery if you want your upholstery to look similar to leather without the cost or maintenance of leather. It can be used for sofas and chairs but is more commonly seen on dining room chairs, banquettes, and bar stools.

Vinyl is great for the kitchen and dining room because it is easy to clean. Stains and liquids can simply be wiped right off. It’s also very affordable and there is a wide selection available. It can be used outdoors but will feel hot to the touch on warm days. It can stick to bare skin, especially on hot and humid days.

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14. Wool

The final upholstery fabric I’ll mention is wool. Of course, wool comes from sheep and although we may not typically think of it being an upholstery fabric, it is often used to upholster couches and sofas. It’s primarily used for indoor furniture. It isn’t very easy to clean and is often recommended to be dry-cleaned only, which is hard to do with upholstery. Wool is also very expensive, so this fabric is mostly ideal for furniture that isn’t going to get a lot of use.

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Best Fabric for Sofa Upholstery

Sofas often get the most use of any other furniture in our homes. As a result, they’re often exposed to the most wear and tear. You’ll want any fabric you use for your sofa to be durable and easy to clean, plus still look good over time.

With that being said, the best upholstery fabric for sofas is:

Leather can also be a great choice if you don’t mind maintaining it to preserve its appearance. Or, you can look for synthetic leather fabric instead that doesn’t require much work.

Upholstery Fabric Durability Ratings

When choosing upholstery fabric, you’ll consider how durable the fabric is. Fabric durability is measured using a fabric durability rating based on abrasion or “rubs.” Upholstery fabric always has a rub rating on the tag that tells you how durable the fabric is.

Light Use Upholstery Fabric

Upholstery fabric with a light use durability rating means that it can withstand 3,000 to 9,000 rubs before it starts to wear and tear. As the name implies, these fabrics are intended for furniture that doesn’t get a lot of use.

Light use upholstery fabric is typically used for things such as bedroom furniture, accent chairs, and even things as curtains. These are going to be your more delicate fabrics, such as silk. Even a lower classification known as delicate-use upholstery fabric can withstand fewer than 3,000 rubs. These fabrics are typically meant for furniture that doesn’t get used at all or things such as decorative pillows.

Medium Use Upholstery Fabric

Medium use upholstery fabric has a durability rating between 9,000 to 15,000. Fabrics on the higher end of that range tend to be stiffer than fabrics on the lower end. These fabrics tend to be very versatile and more general purpose, as they can be used for a wide range of furniture. They are typically used for sofas and couches.

Heavy Use Upholstery Fabric

Heavy use upholstery fabric has a durability rating that is higher than 15,000 rubs. These are going to be your thickest and stiffest fabrics. You’ll want to use these fabrics in rooms with the most traffic and use, such as the family room.

What is the Best Upholstery Fabric for Kids and Pets?

If you have kids and/or pets, you’ll want to choose upholstery fabric a little more carefully. You’ll also need to choose a fabric that is a bit more durable and more stain-resistant (or at least easy to clean) and resistant to ripping and tearing.

Tight weave fabrics tend to be more durable and easy to clean. Fabrics include leather, microfiber suede, olefin (polypropylene), and polyester. You could even get away with using cotton or linen if the fabric was darker so that it wouldn’t show dirt as easily. It’s best to choose a fabric with a durability rating closer to 15,000 rubs or higher if you have kids and pets.

What Are the Easiest Upholstery Fabrics to Clean?

The easiest upholstery fabrics to clean are going to be those that are made of synthetic fibers. Remember that synthetic fibers are essentially made from modified plastic fibers. These fabrics are generally waterproof or water-resistant, as well as stain, mildew, and mold resistant. Examples include polyester, olefin (polypropylene), and vinyl. But, even some fabrics such as acrylic, acetate, cotton, and linen can be easy to clean as long as you use the right products.

What Is the Best Upholstery Fabric for Chairs?

The best upholstery fabric for chairs just depends on the type of chair. For chairs that get a lot of use, you’ll want to use fabric such as cotton/cotton blend, polyester, or maybe even leather if you’re willing to maintain it. And remember that if you have kids and pets, you’ll want to use a stiffer and thicker fabric and one that’s easy to clean.

For dining room chairs, fabrics such as vinyl, polyester, or olefin make great choices due to how easy they are to clean. For outdoor chairs, you’ll want to consider acrylic, olefin, or a fabric blended with nylon.

How to Choose Upholstery Fabric

When choosing upholstery fabric, there are several things you’ll want to consider. The first is to consider your lifestyle. Do you have kids, pets, or both? Or do you live by yourself or travel a lot? If it’s the former, choose a more durable fabric. If it’s the latter, it’s okay to choose a fabric that isn’t as durable if the furniture isn’t going to get as much use.

Consider where the furniture is going to be as well. Is it going to be in the living room, kitchen, bedroom, etc.? And what kind of wear and tear the fabric will receive in that location? If it’s in the kitchen or dining room, you’ll want a fabric in which food stains can be cleaned easily. If it’s the living room, you’ll want something with a medium to heavy use durability rating. If it’s in the bedroom, you might get by with a medium or even a light use rating.

Finally, consider how the fabric will hold up over time, especially with the location of the furniture. If the furniture is going to be outside, you’ll want something fade resistant and mold and mildew resistant. If the fabric is in an indoor room that gets a lot of sunlight, you’ll want to be fade-resistant. You get the picture, but all of those things are worth considering.

Upholstery Fabric by the Yard

Upholstery fabric is sold at any retailer that sells fabric, whether in a physical store or online. It’s different from general-purpose fabric, as upholstery fabric is often more durable and comes in different colors and patterns.

As far as the price, it depends on the fabric you choose. Upholstery fabric made from synthetic fibers will generally be cheaper, as fabric made from cotton. Fabrics made from linen, leather, silk, wool, etc. will be more expensive.

The width of upholstery fabric is usually between 54 and 60 inches. The colors and patterns that each fabric type comes in will vary.

Conclusion

If you’re considering reupholstering your furniture, there are lots of fabrics you can choose from. There are also lots of things to consider, including your lifestyle, the function and location of the furniture, and the characteristics of each fabric. I hope this guide made it easier for you to choose. If you did find it helpful, be sure to share it and leave a comment. Thanks for reading!

Which fabric is best for sofa upholstery: TOP 10 upholstery fabrics

November 23, 2020

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Articles about sofas

Content

Good upholstery of upholstered furniture should be beautiful, durable and easy to clean at the same time. Many fabrics are used for constriction - it is not immediately clear which fabric to choose for the sofa is optimal. Find out which upholstery materials are in the top ten, how they differ, and who suits them.


Sofa upholstery fabric characteristics

Sofas experience stress every day. It experiences friction, the sun shines on it, it is affected by temperature, humidity, and their differences. Sometimes liquids are spilled on it, food is dropped. Pets like to test the sofa for strength with their claws, leave wool, and other unpleasant "gifts". Children use crayons, pencils, paints, cosmetics, and other available substances that are difficult to clean.

Therefore, for upholstery fabrics:

Upholstery does not always have to have all of these characteristics. It must be chosen according to the conditions in which the sofa will be used. If you evaluate them correctly, you can save money without sacrificing quality.


TOP 10 types of upholstery fabrics

The most popular materials for upholstered furniture:

Genuine leather is expensive, but beautiful. It looks presentable, does not deteriorate from light, serves for a long time, and has high strength. If it is processed in a semi-aniline way, it will be strong, durable, mechanically strong. Any non-aggressive liquids and other contaminants will be easily removed from it. Aniline leather is more delicate, beautiful, but less resistant to mechanical damage, dirt, and moisture. The leather used for the upholstery of luxury furniture is obtained from pigs, less often from goats and horses. Accidental cuts, small cracks can be repaired with an adhesive patch, a special masking cream.

Imitation leather only imitates the look of natural material. It is based on a blended fabric of cotton, polyester threads. A PVC film is applied over it, which can be porous or monolithic. It is imprinted with a pattern “under the skin”. Leatherette is perfectly washed, does not let moisture through, does not absorb odors. But he is afraid of sunlight, high temperatures. It wears out faster than genuine leather. The failure of the upholstery is indicated by swelling of the film at the formed creases, cracks. The higher the quality of such material, the longer it will last.

Flock consists of two layers. Its base is a cotton canvas, on which a layer of glue is applied. A pile is applied to the glue, and all the piles line up strictly vertically. This effect is achieved by using electric polarization. The surface is soft, thick, pleasant to the touch. The material is easy to clean, repels liquids, does not fade, and is resistant to pet claws.

Velor is another nice velvety material. Its villi can stand upright or be inclined. The position of the pile is determined by the weave that unites it with the base - no glue is used. Velor upholstery is elegant, aesthetic, very beautiful. But it quickly wears out, not suitable for homes with pets, children. With normal daily use, the average lifespan is 3-5 years. To extend the "life" of velor, you should think about sewing or purchasing a protective cover.

Genuine suede is a special type of tanned leather with a soft velvety surface. The material for such upholstery is obtained from goats, rams and other medium-sized ungulates. Unlike normal skin, it does not feel cold. In hot weather, suede does not stick, does not cause increased sweating. But suede is difficult to clean from dust, dirt, it needs special cleaning products, constant delicate care.

Faux suede is a practical, inexpensive alternative to natural suede. It consists of cotton with polyester, sometimes a reinforcing Teflon coating is added. Artificial imitation does not differ in appearance from real suede. At the same time, it does not deteriorate from creases, is not afraid of scratches, and retains an attractive appearance much longer. This material requires only dry delicate cleaning, it is not suitable for homes with small children, animals.

Velveteen is a very beautiful fabric with distinctive striped ribs. According to the distance between the strips, wide, medium and micro-velveteen are distinguished. It can be natural (cotton) or blended (with the addition of polyester, elastane). You have to pay for a pleasant look - you need to carefully care for velveteen. Stains are removed with products for natural fabrics; when cleaning, the material should not be wrinkled, squeezed, rubbed hard. The surface of velvet develops a resource in 5-7 years of normal use. In worn out places, pile will fall out, “bald patches” appear.

Chenille ribs are textured like hairy caterpillars. Because of this similarity, the material got its name - the French word "chenille" is translated as "caterpillar". The material is made from dense twisted mixed threads. They consist of cotton and synthetics in equal proportions. This is one of the most durable sofa fabrics. Chenille is of two types - with a fabric and adhesive base. The fabric base gives moisture resistance - you can use wet cleaning. The glued base cannot be washed.

Tapestry is made primarily from organic cotton. In rare cases, a little synthetic is mixed into the fibers. The tapestry is dense, quite heavy, with a complex pictorial pattern. The material retains its shape for a very long time, but gradually fades under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. Tapestry upholstery is not recommended to be cleaned frequently, subjected to wet cleaning, often loaded. Designers recommend covering medium-sized sofas with it so that they look beautiful and appropriate.

Jacquard is one of the most popular materials for upholstered furniture. Its feature is a woven relief pattern, usually floral or geometric. The material is formed from synthetic and cotton fibers, which come in different thicknesses and colors. It is the composition of the threads, their color, size depends on the cost of the upholstery. Caring for jacquard is simple, you will need a vacuum cleaner and quick cleaning of wet spots with gentle means.

Scotchgard is jacquard treated with a protective hydrophobic compound. Impregnation increases the density, strength, protection against fading, pollution. In addition, it is much more difficult for pets to scratch the impregnated material. Suitable for all types of furniture, separately recommended for frameless.

Thermal jacquard is another type of jacquard. It differs in that a color pattern is applied over a finished plain surface, and is not formed from multi-colored threads. To apply a pattern, use the thermal printing method. Due to deep dyeing, the fabric does not fade, does not lose the saturation of shades for a very long time.

Gunny — fine textured plain fabric. Its fibers are staggered, forming a dense, burlap-like material. Coarse dense weaving is made of thick threads. They can consist of cotton, wool, linen, silk. Sometimes polyester and acrylic threads are added to increase wear resistance. Durable matting is easy to clean - dust is removed by a vacuum cleaner, stain remover for upholstered furniture copes with stains. Animals can easily pull the threads out of weaving or get stuck in weaving with their claws, so matting should be chosen with care in a house with a cat.

Microfiber is the most durable sofa fabric made from synthetic raw materials. Durable fabric dries quickly. Spots, dust, wool are easily removed from it. Water marks are almost invisible and drying is very fast. Microfiber is made from a mixture of polyester and nylon. The fibers used in these materials are 30 times thinner than cotton. The fabric is soft, pleasant to the body, in appearance resembles natural suede. On such a fabric for upholstery of a sofa, photos are very stylish, luxurious.


Which fabric is best for sofa upholstery

To choose sofa upholstery, you need to consider what style the room is decorated in, what effects will be exerted on the furniture:

  1. If you have children under 5 years old, you should choose pets "anti-claw". Suitable microfiber, flock, scotchguard.
  2. Kitchen sofas should be easy to clean and not absorb food odors. A suitable option is leatherette.
  3. If the sofa is placed near an open window, the upholstery should be synthetic and UV resistant. You can try thermo jacquard, microfiber.

Delicate fabrics can be used in living rooms. To keep them for a long time, on ordinary days they use protective covers made of water-repellent dense materials.

Which fabric is best for sofa upholstery depends on how you plan to use the furniture. For example, an impressive leather sofa can be installed in the head's office. At the same time, in an ordinary apartment, it will look inappropriate, defiant. Homebodies should look for the most wear-resistant fabric in order to use a beautiful sofa with comfort all the time. Lovers of beautiful interior photo shoots can pay attention to delicate velveteen, velor, which can be changed after a few years.


How to choose a fabric for a sofa

To ensure that the new upholstery lasts a long time and emphasizes the advantages of the furniture, follow a few simple rules when choosing it:

  1. Evaluate the funds. Calculate the amount of matter, find out which fabric fits into the budget.
  2. Select texture, strength, density. To protect against liquids, claws, wool, dust, you will need a material with protective impregnation, dense weaving.
  3. Consider where the furniture will be placed. Some fabrics should not be kept in the sun, near the kitchen, near the heater, in damp places.
  4. Choose a color. There are many guides on how to match the color of a sofa to any room. If there is no time to read them, focus on the shade of furniture (cabinets, shelves).

Usually answering these four questions is enough to understand how to choose the fabric for the sofa. You can contact the upholstered furniture store for a free consultation.


How to calculate the amount of upholstery for a sofa

There are two ways to find out how much fabric is needed for a sofa upholstery. In both cases, you need to remove the old matter from the furniture. Then you can measure all the outer surfaces of the furniture or make patterns.

In the first case you need to measure the length, width of all elements. If they are irregular in shape, it is required to measure the widest, longest sections. To get the total length of the upholstery, add up all the vertical values, add another 20% to them. The width of the upholstery will be the same as the width of the widest element of the sofa.

In the second case , the removed old material is laid out so that it fits compactly into a rectangle with a short side of 140-150 cm (standard cutting width). It is important to observe the location of the vertical and horizontal threads without turning the removed elements. In addition, you need to remember about seam allowances - for them you need to leave at least 2.5 cm for each part. On the removed matter, you can bend the old allowances, circle all the matter. If you bend them again and circle the elements again, it will be easier to arrange them on the sofa.

You can move the sofa yourself. Most models have a simple design. Or turn to professionals if you do not want to buy tools. The quality of the upholstery will be higher, and the sofa will be neater.

Why waste time choosing sofa upholstery

If you choose a fabric only for its appearance, it can quickly become unusable. Anything can be the cause - from a too hot battery to an accidentally dropped sandwich. Take a few minutes to explore the properties and features of the most popular upholstery materials. By choosing the right one, you can increase the life of the sofa surface by several times, as well as reduce the time for its cleaning and care. Learn a little more about upholstery - save money and free time in the future. dated 62 300 ₴ -3% 9000 9000

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And at this stage, the buyer has a question - what upholstery and fabric for a sofa is better, more durable and practical, how to choose the most resistant materials. The shelf life of a product can be affected by various factors. Having studied all the possible options, consider a few particularly important points - the quality of the canvas, the color fastness of the design elements, the durability of the product to wear and its cost.

When purchasing any type of furniture, pay attention not only to its attractive appearance, range of functionality, but also to other external indicators. They should ideally fit the future purpose: whether it is a living room, a nursery or a bedroom. Nowadays, there are many varieties that manufacturers use. In this article, you will learn about all the intricacies of choosing the right quality products. And we will reveal the features and nuances in the use of the most popular materials.

Types of upholstery for sofas: what fabric to choose

The assortment in this category impresses with its variety. All manufacturers offer consumers materials of various origins: natural and artificial. Natural options for sofas have their own advantages, among which is an excellent ability to ventilate. But this property has its own negative side - the canvas loses its attractiveness relatively quickly and the appearance becomes a little unaesthetic. To prevent this effect, manufacturers offer special care products. This allows you to keep the furniture in a beautiful and natural state for a long time.

Choosing the right material is not easy. Experts distinguish two main classes by cost:

The first sector is filled with factories from Western countries. The second section belongs mainly to Turkey. That is why, before making a final decision, you need to find out all the advantages and disadvantages of each of the options under consideration.

Which furniture fabric is better and more practical for sofa upholstery

It should be noted right away that if you are a pet owner or you have a small child, then experts do not recommend buying a product with expensive wool or velor that requires delicate care. In this case, you should pay attention to a more durable material. It will be quite difficult to damage it with claws, stain it with a felt-tip pen or pen, or accidentally tear it. Now they are also producing special options - they are called functional or stress-resistant.

If you often organize parties or just have fun with friends, then the fabric should be resistant to general wear and tear and local rubbing. Otherwise, you will simply lose money on numerous constrictions of your sofa. But, if you are buying a decorative chair or canapé, you need to choose sophisticated options. They will complement the overall interior design and bring an atmosphere of wealth and luxury.

These are the basic rules and tips on which sofa upholstery is the most durable and practical and which is best for everyday use. The necessary characteristics can be clarified with a consultant or request information from the manufacturer.

A variety of materials for furniture

Velor

Soft and at the same time pleasant material will appeal to those consumers who want to create comfort and warmth in their home. A sofa covered with it will look great in a boho or shabby chic interior.

Velor is produced on a natural basis and has not only an attractive appearance, but also a velvety texture. The color scheme of the canvas has a wide palette of shades. It is valued for its high strength and ventilation, does not deform under mechanical stress, and provides unsurpassed thermal comfort.

To remove excessive soiling, velor upholstery can be vacuumed and even special cleaning powders can be used to gently remove stains without damaging the fibers of the fabric. This is the best material for sofa upholstery in many ways:

Flock

Experts recommend considering flock if you need to buy new upholstered furniture and if you have a pet at home. Non-woven textiles can be polyamide, polyester, viscose. It is resistant to detergents and is not afraid of the claws of cats and dogs. And it is also hypoallergenic, which will be a definite advantage for people who are sensitive to irritants.

This version is quite pleasant to the touch and extremely soft. When dirty, it can and should be washed. All that is required of you is to apply a cleaning agent to a sponge and lightly wipe the surface that needs treatment. An additional advantage is that the pattern on the product does not fade. For the long life of sofas, this is an important feature.

For children's upholstered furniture, a bright flock finish with colorful patterns will be an excellent solution. As for the color scheme, it is better to choose materials for the living room in lighter, pastel shades. They will also be preferred for use in bright verandas or loggias. Flock features:

Jacquard

This type of fabric is one of the more expensive options. It is mainly used by wealthy people to emphasize the status and nobility of the interior. Jacquard fabric is worth its price. It is lint-free and consists of both artificial and organic fibers. This type can be classified as environmentally friendly and durable enough. The coating may contain from 40 to 100% cotton fiber.

To remove stubborn stains from this fabric, use an acid-free cleaner. This species does not tolerate sunlight well. That is why jacquard covers cannot be dried in the sun - they can sit down.

This material is good for its luxurious look - it looks expensive and beautiful, emphasizing the noble decoration of the room. Its only drawback, even if we are talking about a coating with a large percentage of organic components in the composition, is a short period of operation. You can take care of such upholstery with a vacuum cleaner and a sponge. There is nothing complicated in this if the pollution is simple. But with the complex ones you have to tinker. Consider the following rules:

Below is a list of the advantages of jacquard over other fabrics:

Tapestry.

A natural fabric that is often used in all types of sofas. It is mainly produced in a landscape style. The tapestry compares favorably with other paintings by its characteristic weaving. During production, the yarn is folded into regular shapes or
ornaments. The color range includes a wide selection of different shades - from pastel tones to brighter ones.

The fabric is easy to wash. To the touch, it is quite pleasant and practical. In general, it can take absolutely any form. After cleaning, it completely restores its original appearance.

The characteristic advantages of tapestry coating include the following qualities.

Shinil

In its structure, this material looks like a tapestry. Similarities can be found when considering its characteristics. It belongs to the class of expensive upholstery fabrics. The high price can be explained by the luxurious look and long period of use.

Sleeping on such a surface is not as comfortable as on velor or flock. It has sufficient rigidity and poor heat dissipation. Such sofas are often bought for the sole purpose of adding a bright decorative element to the interior. Do not use water or detergents for cleaning. Only dry cleaning is possible.

Leathers and leather substitutes

Some types of fabrics may seem too frilly or intricate in design. In this case, you should look at natural leather. It is also used for furniture upholstery. This classic version is great for office sofas. It is worth noting the main advantage of such matter - ease of use. Thanks to her unpretentiousness, she won the hearts of many owners.

An item decorated in this way will last for many years. But despite the whole range of advantages, it still has certain disadvantages. The material is available in a limited number of colors and shades. The skin is slippery and it will be uncomfortable to sleep on it. Not everyone will like the high cost of such a product. Such furniture is bought mainly by lovers of traditional style when decorating the interior of an office or living room.

Boucle

This type of upholstery looks very much like a sheared lamb. The main feature of such an original coating is dense nodules in structure, which protrude slightly on the surface. This characteristic is achieved through the use of multi-colored threads.

Boucle is highly dense and durable. This option is resistant to wear and will not clog. Among the shortcomings - you should not purchase a product covered with such material for owners of pets, especially cats. They can peel off the upholstery with their sharp claws and ruin the look of the sofa.

Scotchgard

If you are interested in furniture with an expensive and sophisticated design, we recommend that you consider this option. Scotchgard looks similar to jacquard, but cheaper in the price range. Picky when cleaning makes it a favorite for many buyers. He is not afraid of pollution. But if you do make a stain, regular liquid soap and a soft towel dampened with water can easily remove it.

This fabric is washable. But in this case, it is worth monitoring the temperature regime - it should not exceed the border of 40 ° C. Dust and animal hair can be removed with a vacuum cleaner.

Matting

This type of material has a fine texture. Solid colors are mainly used. The advantage of the option is in coarse weaving, thick fibers and strength. The fabric is elastic. Thanks to this, it absolutely does not wrinkle during the day and retains its shape for many years.

Caring for matting is easy. Its operation does not require the use of special solutions and powders.

Arpatek

Outwardly, it is very similar to leather and is considered one of its best artificial varieties. For its manufacture, viscose, cotton and polyurethane are used. When touched, you can feel a delicate and smooth texture that does not slip much.

A soap solution can be used to remove any light soiling. The use of chlorine-containing products is not recommended, they can lead to corrosion of the fibers and cracking of the fabric.

How to choose the right fabric according to the structure

In this article, we talked about all the popular varieties of fabric for upholstery of upholstered furniture. There are nine categories in total. The numbering starts at 0 and goes up to 8. Group characteristics may differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. But the higher the class number, the better and stronger the “second skin” of the sofa.

Learn more