Common Furniture Upholstery Materials

Part of your home’s aesthetic comes from the kinds of furniture you use. This includes choosing the right fabric for your furniture too. Your choice of fabric isn’t only about aesthetics, however, and can directly affect how durable your furniture is.

Visiting your local furniture upholstery shops can be overwhelming with all the kinds of fabrics available. From natural to synthetic – there are tons of materials available. But which one is right for you?

In this guide, we will take you through the kinds of materials available for upholstering furniture, as well as helping you make your decision for what fabric to choose.

Measuring the durability of fabric

Durability is an important factor in choosing the right material. Depending on how you intend to use your furniture, you may need a stronger fabric. You need to find a fabric that meets your needs.

The durability of fabric is measured in double rubs. The greater the double rubs number, the stronger and more durable the fabric is.

If you are upholstering furniture that you don’t regularly use, then it’s okay to pick a fabric that is 3,000–9,000 double rubs. For more regular use, ask see fabrics that are rated between 9,000–15,000 double rubs.

Generally, anything between 9,000–15,000 double rubs is suitable for regular use in the home. However, if the furniture is going to be used very frequently or in a commercial setting, it’s better to get something that is 15,000–30,000 double rubs rated.

Apart choosing the appropriate double rubs rating, you should also know consider if the fabricneeds to be stain-resistant, water-repellent or UV resistant.For furniture that is used regularly over a long period of time, you’ll also want to choose a fabric that doesn’t fade over time.

When you have a clear idea of how durable your fabric needs to be, you can start thinking about your preferences for texture, colour and design. This can help you draw together a room by choosing complementary colours and designs.

Choosing your fabric

Typically, you’ll find that fabric is divided into two categories: natural and synthetic. There are pros and cons for both categories, as well as the individual fabrics.

Natural

1. Linen
   Natural and strong, linen is the fabric that’s best suited for both casual and formal areas, like dining rooms. It has a smooth and soft texture and doesn’t easily pile or fade. However, it can soil and wrinkle quickly and hence is not suitable for heavy usage. It needs regular care and shows great elasticity when blended with cotton.
   
   
2. Cotton
   Like linen, cotton is also durable and fade-resistant but wrinkles and soils easily. Used mostly as slipcovers, cotton can resist heavy wear and tear. When it comes to cleaning cotton, you only need soap and water.
   
   You may not find a 100% cotton finish upholstery fabric. However, 45–60% cotton can be a good choice. The durability of the cotton blend fabric can depend on the weave and finish. For instance, for formal areas, Damask is the best option whereas, for casual spaces, you can use canvas material.
   
   
3. Wool
   Also a natural and durable material, wool can be a better choice than cotton and linen. It doesn’t wrinkle or soil easily and lasts a long time. To increase its durability, it may be blended with the synthetic fibres, making it easier to clean also. The only drawback is that the texture can be scratchy.
   
   
4. Leather
   Leather is the toughest fabric of all. Made from animal hide, there are different grades of leather based on its quality. It’s an easy-to-clean fabric; it can be wiped with a damp cloth or gently vacuumed to remove any dirt.
   
   
5. Vinyl
   Vinyl is a cost-effective option and alternative for leather. It is perfect for budget-conscious homeowners and those looking to decorate their furniture in living and dining rooms. It is also easy to clean, available in different grades and looks good on your furniture.
   
   
6. Silk
   Certainly, the softest and smoothest fabric to decorate your furniture. It looks perfect in any kind of room. However, whenever it’s soiled, you need to hire a professional to clean it.

Synthetic

1. Polyester
   Polyester is a material that’s often combined with other natural fabrics like wool and cotton to improve resistance against wrinkling, fading and abrasion. As this is a high-performance synthetic fabric, the blended material will become more durable and easier to clean as well.
   
   
2. Velvet
   Velvet glides smoothly under your hand and looks fantastic on your furniture, giving a rich and royal look. Made from cotton, silk or polyester, velvet is stronger and more durable than some natural fibres. However, the only downside is it attracts dirt and is relatively hard to clean.
   
   
3. Acrylic
   Acrylic is the synthetic version of wool. Like wool, it is resistant to fading, wrinkling, wear and tear, and soiling. But to get all these benefits, you need to choose a high-quality acrylic as low-quality ones tend to pill excessively.
   
   
4. Rayon
   Rayon is the synthetic version of silk and is blended with other materials to create a suitable material for upholstering different kinds of furniture.
   
   
5. Sunbrella
   If you have furniture that’s exposed to the direct sunlight and outdoor elements, then sunbrella is the perfect choice for you. As it is designed to be used on outdoor furniture, you can enjoy decorating your pergola, patio or deck with colourful upholstered furniture.

Make your choice
While you may prefer natural fibres like wool and cotton, synthetic fibres are equally worthy. Whether you need fabric for furniture re-upholstery or to cover your new furniture, we hope this guide will come in handy and clear up any confusion you have.