How to choose upholstery fabric for upholstered furniture

Buying furniture with the ideal solution to the set goal rarely coincides with the store's offer. The provided furniture line samples are accompanied by consultants and managers who accept orders for the selection of sofa sizes and its color scheme, the choice of fabric by structure and purpose, for receiving guests, or sound sleep. Even a successful sofa model can be spoiled by an unsuccessfully selected upholstery fabric. The fabric for the sofa must be chosen correctly.

Upholstery fabric for sofas: types and recommendations for selection

When choosing upholstery material for furniture, it is worth paying attention to many factors.

• aesthetic characteristics, appearance and harmonious integration into the overall interior;
• comfort in use, pleasant sensations from the upholstery fabric;
• high wear resistance extends the life of the fabric and delays the need to reupholster the furniture;
• colour fastness to numerous cleaning cycles;

• resistance to ultraviolet radiation;
• preservation of the original shape;
• abrasion resistance;
• easy care;
• preservation of impregnation and spraying on fabric.

If the furniture is sold with removable upholstery covers, then this is a positive point, allowing you to easily maintain the cleanliness of the sofa.

Let's try to consider in detail which fabric to choose for a sofa and which is better.

Leather and leatherette

Leather upholstery has a significant impact on the formation of the price of a sofa. Genuine leather is expensive. The presence of leather furniture in a house, office, study speaks of the wealth and respectability of the owner. Not everyone can afford leather upholstery fabric for a sofa.

An alternative to genuine leather upholstery is fabrics made from leather substitutes. Eco-leather or leather substitutes imitate natural material in appearance. Soft fabric on a knitted base has more color solutions than natural. Attractive colors and elastic surface of the upholstery attract the buyer.

Thermojacquard and scotchguard

The fabric is made of a mixture of natural and synthetic components of dense weave and is made on special Jacquard machines. Intricate patterns and silky sheen are used for more expensive furniture made of natural wood. Such a sofa is used in the living room, which is the face of the owner.

The fabric is highly resistant to dirt. One of the varieties of the material is Scotchgard. Intensive use of such upholstery does not affect its service life and appearance. The furniture looks exquisite.

Faux fur

Modern technologies create fabrics that replace natural fur, thus preserving the lives of animals. Imitation of real fur is made artificial. Several methods are considered at knitting and spinning factories for the production of fabrics.

• knitted, involves weaving in pile from combed tape during knitting;
• woven, the weave consists of three threads connected by plush fiber;
• fabric-tufted, the pile thread is stitched on a tufting machine.

The pile is fixed with adhesive on the reverse side. It is used for upholstery of poufs and benches.

Teflon flock (courtesan)

Fabric with a Teflon coating of fibers to increase protective properties against moisture penetration is called flock. The material belongs to the category of vandal-proof fabrics that prevent the structure from being damaged by mechanical impacts and cat claws. It looks like short-pile velour.

Microfiber (artificial or furniture suede)

A modern material with high hygroscopic properties, which tolerates wet cleaning and meets the standards of vandal-proof fabric. Thin twisted fibers are covered with a Teflon layer, which extends the service life of the material. It is used for upholstery of sofas for children's rooms, poufs, and couches.

Scotchgard

The material is a type of tapestry and jacquard. It has a glued base with water-repellent properties. The smooth surface of the upholstery is resistant to mechanical damage and spilled liquids. A soap solution is used to clean dirt.

Upholstery for country style living rooms - tapestry

Tapestry is a mixed fabric containing natural and synthetic fibers in its composition. The fabric is used for a certain type of furniture. Unvarnished wood surfaces and tapestry upholstery create an antique effect. Country style is suitable for village and summer cottages, wooden cottages with stove heating. The presence of burlap trim and painted pictures resemble an artist's studio with an easel.

Thermal jacquard

The external similarity with jacquard is provided by a similar method of fabric production. High wear resistance and color retention throughout the entire period of use. Perfectly holds the original shape. The material is easy to care for. Patterned designs hide minor damage and dirt. Suitable for kitchen furniture, poufs at the entrance to the room, for a terrace or gazebo.

Arpatek

The material resembles genuine leather. Previously, it was widely used in the automotive industry for seats and interior trim. The material is resistant to ultraviolet light and wet cleaning with detergents. It is used for finishing garden furniture, tables and seats for gazebos, kitchen furniture. It is easy to clean from dirt. It retains its color and original shape. It has high resistance to mechanical damage, cuts and tears.

Rohozhka

A fabric resembling burlap. It is made from coarse flax fibers, with the use of synthetic threads to increase wear resistance. It has neutral colors. It is used for kitchen furniture, hallways, summer house arrangement, gazebos. Its properties are not inferior to natural woolen fabrics, it accumulates heat.

Cotton

Natural material from ecological raw materials is suitable for use in the design of the interior of a child's room, upholstery of furniture for babies and allergy sufferers. A wide range of colors is provided by an easy painting process. The brightness of the color is maintained throughout the entire period of operation. The disadvantages include low wear resistance.

The advantages of boucle

The expensive fabric appeared on the market thanks to the introduction of the boucle coat fabric of Madame Coco Chanel into the fashionable yards. Stylish image and recognition of the soft fabric with horizontal and vertical convex threads of different thickness, unlike any other fabric. The voluminous material has the same front and back surfaces. It holds its shape well, possessing high wear resistance.

Forest

Upholstery material that can easily withstand wet cleaning and soap solutions. Mixed fabric containing natural and synthetic fibers. Quite durable and wear-resistant material.

Eco-leather

Artificial suede and leather give the furniture set solidity. The durable fabric is difficult to tear, it is resistant to ultraviolet radiation and mechanical damage. It retains its shape and appearance for many years. Suitable for furniture in the living room, reception room, office.

Ecovelour

The velvety surface of synthetic pile will undoubtedly gradually wear out under mechanical influences. Stylish fabric adds solidity and richness to the interior. The material is characterized by a high degree of air permeability and hygroscopicity. Careful care of the upholstery will extend its service life.

Velveteen

A dense cotton fabric with longitudinal ribs on the front side. If the fabric contains synthetic threads, a silky sheen and light pile with sparkles are possible. Ribs come in different widths. Very narrow ribs are called micro-velvet. The material is used as an anti-claw. It is used in homes where there are small children and animals. It is durable and wear-resistant.

The location of the sofa dictates the choice of material

For kitchen furniture, the upholstery must meet such qualities as resistance to dirt and the possibility of wet cleaning with detergents.

And for the rest room, the material must meet environmental requirements, not cause allergic reactions and not emit chemical compounds and odors into the space.

Each room has its own interior style and also the material from which the furniture upholstery is made.

For the bedroom

The fabric must meet the indicators of high wear resistance to daily use. You can use tapestry or jacquard in calm tones. The correct choice of material will provide comfort and coziness, a quiet rest. Flock and cotton, natural linen are applicable in the children's bedroom. The requirements for environmental indicators are quite high.

For the kitchen

Upholstery material for kitchen furniture should prevent mold or mildew from appearing in conditions of high humidity. The fabric should not absorb odors, be breathable and resistant to dirt. Availability of wet cleaning with detergents and easy movement of the material. Resistance to deformation and wear with repeated use during the day will be provided by chenille, eco-leather, tapestry, matting.

What fabric is best for upholstery of a sofa if there are animals

Anti-vandal fabrics prevent threads from being pulled out of furniture upholstery. This category includes microfiber, scotchguard, artificial suede, velveteen, velour, chenille, tapestry, flock anti-claw. Very practical

How to Calculate the Amount of Fabric for Sofa Upholstery

The fastest way is to dismantle the worn upholstery and measure the material consumption for individual parts. Be sure to leave a few centimeters for folds and seams. If the furniture has figured protruding parts, then measurements should be taken for square or rectangular shapes in which this figure fits. For expensive fabric for reupholstering a sofa, it is better to entrust the measurements to a specialist or cutter.

Reviews

Ruslan, 32: “I bought a sofa for the reception room. I had questions: what furniture fabric is the most wear-resistant for a sofa, I chose one with eco-leather upholstery. I did not regret it at all, because it looks very beautiful and expensive, although the material is cheap. You can’t tell it from real leather. I bought chairs with the same upholstery a year later and realized that the fabric had not changed its qualities during this time. I am very pleased.”

Larisa, 19: “I bought a soft corner for my niece. I immediately started asking about the fabric for upholstery, which is better, since there is a cat in the house. The manager in the store praised the microfiber material. I doubted for a long time, because the material there is like with loops. It turns out that the worries were in vain. We even filmed a video of the cat trying to sharpen his claws in the kitchen on the side of the sofa and nothing worked.”

What fabric to choose for a sofa, you should choose yourself. From the above, it becomes clear that sofa fabric has a wide range. What fabric to choose for upholstery of a sofa or armchair, you need to take into account all wishes and financial possibilities.