Some people might say that it’s just a sofa, but they don’t know it’s a huge investment that should be done right the first time. You don’t want to end up with a furniture piece that will look oddly out of place in your carefully curated living room. Worse, you might even work hard to maintain its quality in the long run. You can never go wrong with upholstered furniture.
Upholstered furniture comes in many shapes and forms. You must determine what piece will be perfect for your needs and where it will be in the house. If it is in the receiving area where family members and closest friends gather, the upholstery fabric will need to stand up well to its level of use.
Not quite sure about selecting the upholstery fabric for your furniture? We’ve got you covered! Check out our handy guide to selecting the best upholstery fabric.
What Is Upholstery?
Tracing back its history to the Middle Ages, upholstery has been around forever. People of long ago used to utilize just about any materials they had. Some were downright bizarre, such as animal hair, burlap, straw, hay, and coconut husks.
Upholstery consists of fabric, padding, webbing, and springs. While interior elements cannot be seen from the outside, they still contribute a lot to the comfort the furniture provides.
The materials used have evolved over the years. Hay, horsehair, and wool were common materials. Nowadays, upholstery has taken a modern form with the use of metal springs and foam, the latter of which is known for its durability.
Take a deep dive to learn upholstery fabric materials and their unique characteristics.
Upholstery Fabric Materials
Upholstery fabric is the soft material used to cover chairs, sofas, and other furniture. There are plenty to choose from, many of which can be easily accessible. They can be bought from a fabric store, online, or the upholsterer. Sometimes, you can buy them from a furniture manufacturer or upholstery manufacturing mill.
Your choice of upholstery fabric is important. While it may depend on the design and aesthetic you are looking for, it is still good to know about the kinds of upholstery fabric.
Natural Materials
Some upholstery fabrics are made from natural materials, such as wool, silk, leather, linen, and cotton, and are often favored by those who prefer the soft feel of their furniture.
Cotton
Cotton is the cheapest natural fabric choice. It lends comfort and stability and is durable and resistant to fading. The only weakness of cotton is that it can be quite susceptible to stains, dust, and dirt, making it less ideal for everyday furniture.
Wool
Known for its durability and sturdiness, wool is resistant to stains, which means it can be used in high-traffic home areas. However, when wool gets wet, it produces an odor that can be hard to eliminate.
Silk
If budget is not an issue, silk is a great choice, especially if you plan to use it in formal living rooms with less traffic. However, it is generally more expensive than other upholstery fabric options. If something is spilled, the furniture may require professional cleaning.
Leather
High-traffic areas that require comfort will greatly benefit from leather as the upholstery fabric.
Known as one of the most durable among its counterparts, this fabric is recommended for pet owners since it is easy to clean and vacuum.
Linen
A favorite among adult-only rooms, linen can be quite stylish with its intricate designs. The only downside is that it can wrinkle and stain easily. You must also get it professionally cleaned to avoid damaging the fabric.
Synthetic Materials
Designed for durability and easy cleaning, synthetic upholstery fabrics require less manufacturing costs than natural fabrics.
This fabric is produced by combining chemical monomers into polymers through polymerization. A filament is then made by forcing liquid from chemicals through tiny holes called spinnerets.
Once the liquid comes out of the spinnerets and into the air, it cools and forms tiny threads of continuous filament fiber. The filament has to undergo the twisting process to produce yarn, which is usually dyed before it is woven together to form a fabric.
Synthetic fabrics are known to dry quickly and to be extra absorbent. Here are some examples of synthetic fabrics:
Polyester
Polyester is a great blend of fiber with cotton. It adds wrinkle protection to the fabric, making it a favorite for outdoor upholstery.
Nylon
Nylon is often used in combination with other synthetic or natural fabrics. It is susceptible to pilling and can be easily damaged by high sunlight. Pairing it with velvet or chenille fabrics is great, as it helps eliminate napping or crushing.
Acrylic
Popular as an upholstery fabric, acrylic can resist fading and sun damage far longer than natural fabrics. However, it can be harder to clean when it does get stains. It is ideal for heavy use and often an excellent choice for outdoor furniture.
Rayon
Initially developed to imitate silk, cotton, and linen, rayon is strong and durable. Its disadvantage is that it is prone to wrinkling.
Different Upholstery Fabrics for Different Needs
It can be confusing to choose the right fabric for your upholstery. There are so many options out there that you will be spoilt for choice. The perfect fabric is the key to long-lasting furniture. Before you choose, you will need to determine what you need.
Are you going for an earthy, organic vibe? Where will you put this furniture piece in your home? How often is it going to be used? You may also want to consider your budget and, more importantly, whether you have kids or pets at home. Explore your fabric options below.
Fabrics for Homes with Kids
Having kids around means spending more time and effort cleaning up after spills and messes. If you have upholstered furniture, removing stains will be a nightmare unless you have the right upholstery fabric. So, how do you choose kid-friendly fabrics?
It would be best if you made sure that the fabric you are picking is sturdy and durable. Synthetic fibers are the best choice, as they are more resilient. You will also want your fabric to be resistant to wear and tear.
You can verify this by checking the Fabric Wearability Code. This test is based on one of the durability testing standards in the upholstery industry. The code indicates how much wear and tear an upholstery fabric can withstand.
Cotton fabric is a good choice because it is highly durable when well-made. It is water-absorbent, versatile, and hypoallergenic. Cotton is made from organic fibers that come from the seeds of the cotton plant.
Microfiber is also kid-friendly, as it is often stain-resistant and comes in different textures. It is easy to clean, usually only needing water, and it is hypoallergenic.
Wool is famous for its durability. It is also not susceptible to pilling, snagging, or wrinkling. Cleaning it can be a breeze, as you can use a hand-held vacuum to remove dust.
Top Pet-Friendly Fabrics to Shield Furniture from Stains and Scratches
Pets are often considered part of the family, so they are welcome in the living room, snuggling up on sofas. However, if you are not careful, pets can be hyperactive and damage your upholstered furniture.
Drool, pet hair, and sharp nails can stain and scratch furniture. While it can be impossible to keep them away, there are other ways to pet-proof your furniture. One is to choose the right upholstery fabric.
You will want a fabric that is resistant to stains, easy to clean, and will last for a long time. Avoiding materials that can get snagged by nails and claws is a must.
Leather is an ideal pet-friendly fabric. It is durable and easy to clean, and pet hair won’t stick to its smooth surface.
Velvet’s tight weave and low pile help it withstand wear and tear. It also prevents odors and liquids from seeping in. You can easily brush off its surface, too.
Canvas is also a good option for pet owners because it is resistant to tears, dirt, and hair. This is especially useful when it comes to slipcovers. You can remove it when it gets dirty and wash it to remove dirt and hair.
The Best Upholstery Fabrics for Senior Living Facilities
Senior living facilities need furniture that meets fabric selection, functionality, design, and material requirements in compliance with health regulations. That is why choosing one for this purpose takes careful consideration. The choice of furniture can affect the daily lives of residents and staff members. It will need to be easy to maintain and should allow ease of movement.
The best choices in this case are easy-to-clean and low-maintenance materials. They should be highly resistant to stains and able to endure frequent use. You will also want to choose functional furniture for senior living facilities.
This means the material should be strong, durable, and supportive of senior residents’ everyday movements. For example, many of them will rely on furniture as a support when they are walking between rooms or when simply standing up. You will want an upholstery fabric that softens the edges and won’t inadvertently irritate their skin.
Linen is a good choice for this. Like cotton, this natural fiber is used in many household items, such as furniture and curtains. It is durable, breathable, and less prone to pilling.
Polyester, while more prone to pilling than linen, can still be a good choice as a fabric for seniors during winter as it is water-repellant and dries quickly. This fabric doesn’t absorb moisture.
It is also a good idea to choose an antimicrobial fabric. This kind of fabric protects against the growth of bacteria, mold, mildew, and other pathogenic microorganisms. The textile is often given an antimicrobial treatment to make it more efficient against microorganisms.
Ideal Fabrics for Commercial and Automotive Use
The fabric you use for your car seat makes a lot of difference to your comfort and style. Fortunately, the market offers many choices regarding auto upholstery, from cheap and expensive to functional and aesthetic. The US automotive textiles market size is huge, amounting to an estimated $28.6 billion in 2021 alone.
Automotive upholstery fabrics must resist wear and tear, water, and oil. They also need to withstand the harsh rays of the sun so they will not easily fade from constant exposure.
Leather is known for its durability, making it an ideal option for car seat upholstery. It can last longer than any other type of auto fabric. Thanks to its breathability, leather offers comfort. Plus, this type of fabric is attractive and easy to maintain.
Another excellent choice for car upholstery fabric is nylon. It is among the most common materials found on car seats. While durable, nylon is not as expensive. It provides resistance to damage from pet claws and can also absorb moisture quickly.
If you want another easy-to-clean option, vinyl fabric is your best choice. This fabric absorbs water easily, repels moisture, and is less prone to damage from spills.
Polyester is a good pick for those on a budget. This fabric will give you complete control during maintenance. When exposed to sunlight or oil spills, it does not easily fade. You can easily and quickly clean this fabric with a damp cloth.
Important Factors to Consider When Selecting Upholstery Fabric
The kind of upholstery to be used depends largely on several factors. When buying upholstery, you will need to consider its comfort, durability, and style. That is why purchasing an upholstery fabric requires careful consideration. You will want to pick something that you can live with for years to come.
Upholstery, after all, is so much more than its appearance. Here are the most important factors you need to consider when choosing your upholstery fabric.
Comfort and Quality
No matter where you are installing the upholstery, comfort and quality are the prime factors you need to consider before making a purchase decision. While you have set a budget inside your head, you should never compromise your upholstery fabric to save money. Investing in quality upholstery fabric will be more beneficial in the long run.
If it is high quality and comfortable, you won’t feel like revamping it just a few months later. You can save a lot from frequent repairs and replacements.
Color and Pattern
Color and pattern are essential for your upholstery fabric of choice. They can often contribute to creating a vibe that suits your needs. For homes, lighter solid colors can create an airy, inviting mood to the space. Darker colors, however, will do well in hiding dirt and wear. Some people go for neutral colors and simple patterns, and they go with many different décor styles.
In care homes, simple fabric designs are the best choice. Old people often struggle with glare and might struggle distinguishing colors between rooms. You will want to choose a color contrasting with the walls, making it easier for seniors to distinguish furniture.
Durability
A durable fabric can take many rubs before it shows wear. The rub is the back-and-forth motion that mimics the wear and tear of sitting on an upholstered seat over time.
When choosing a fabric based on durability, you must consider what fabric you need, where it will be placed, and whether you have kids or pets. These factors will determine how durable the fabric you need will be. Durability can also come in stain, water repellant, and UV resistance.
Sustainability
With the threat of climate change looming, it is important to choose sustainable fabrics that can help save the planet. Some fabrics are partly made of recycled materials, reducing the environmental impact when produced. This means they are less costly, as the costs and emissions associated with farming, dyeing, and transporting them are eliminated.
Special Considerations
You may want to consider other factors besides those mentioned above. These include allergens and antimicrobial resistance. Children, pets, and the elderly need extra care regarding allergens, as some materials can harm their health.
Most of the furniture in care homes is health-compliant, so the environment is not susceptible to infection. Upholstery fabrics used in senior care homes mustn’t support microbial growth.
Fade resistance is essential when deciding on an upholstery fabric for your car. It is great if your fabric of choice can be easily wiped down when stains and spills happen. You use your vehicle in any kind of weather, so the fabric must be highly resistant to extreme weather situations. Too much exposure to the sun, for example, can cause some fabric to fade quickly.
Final Thoughts
It may seem daunting initially, but choosing the right upholstery fabric for your furniture and other needs can be highly manageable and enjoyable if you know what you want. Before delving into the buying decision process, you must conduct a self-assessment. What do you want? Comfort, durability, quality? Do you have a specific budget? Do you have pets and kids?
These questions will guide you in selecting the best fabric for your upholstery, which will last and stand the test of time.
References
- Automotive Textiles Market Size, Share & Trends Report, 2030. (n.d.). Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-analysis/automotive-textiles-market
- furniture – Middle Ages. (n.d.). Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.britannica.com/technology/furniture/Middle-Ages
- How to Tell If Your Furniture Fabric Is Strong Enough. (2019, August 16). The Spruce. Retrieved October 13, 2022, from https://www.thespruce.com/fabric-wearability-code-1391674
- Morais, D., Guedes, R., & Lopes, M. (2016, June 21). Antimicrobial Approaches for Textiles: From Research to Market. Materials, 9(6), 498. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma9060498