Decoration of the home is not just with wall paint, flooring colors, or adding some accent pieces. Furniture upholstery fabric also plays an important role in this interior decor. But how do you choose the best upholstery fabric? The right fabric will improve the look of your furniture as well as make it appear stylish and feature high functionality.
But the limitless choices for colors, fabrics, and patterns make this whole selection process exasperating. Whether you are updating the custom sofa or reupholstering the chair, you must be troubled by this question: How do you choose the best upholstery fabric?
Well, you don’t have to worry anymore, as we have provided the key factors to help you make the right upholstery selection.
6 Key Factors That Help You Choose the Best Upholstery Fabric
The upholstery fabric for furniture that one should choose must meet the following 6 factors. We will also provide the right guidance for each of these factors.
1. It Must be Durable
Durability must always be the main factor you should keep an eye on when choosing the upholstery fabric for furniture upholstery. The fabrics must be resilient enough to bear the wear and tear of daily life, especially if the furniture is placed in high-traffic areas. The upholstery durability is much more important for a home with kids or pets. The reason for that is there will be a risk of scratches and spills more frequently. Choose the durability on these factors:
- The fabric’s durability is based on its Double Rub count, the number of times a fabric is rubbed before wearing. A fabric with a Double Rub count of 15000 to 30000 is a good choice.
- Choose natural fabrics like linen or cotton, which are breathable but wear easily. Synthetic blends like polyester and acrylic are durable and stain-resistant.
2. It Should Offer Maximum Comfort
Durability is important, but one must never overlook comfort when choosing upholstery fabric. Your upholstery must be soft to the touch, which makes it equally soft for sitting. It depends on the room where the furniture is placed, but you can prioritize different aspects for comfort, like warmth, breathability, and softness. The best choices for comfortable upholstery fabric are as follows:
- Velvet is a plush fabric for furniture upholstery; making it an excellent choice for sofas or chairs.
- Linen is a lightweight, breathable fabric that provides cool, comfortable seating in the winter. It’s great for casual seating furniture, but keep in mind that it wrinkles easily.
- Chenille is a soft and comfortable upholstery fabric with a tufted texture. It is great for lounging furniture and also offers great visual appeal.
3. It Must Add To Style & Aesthetics Of Your Room
The upholstery fabric is also one of the many critical interior decor things that will determine the overall aesthetic tone of your rooms. The color, pattern, and texture of the upholstery you choose must blend with the existing interior theme of your room. It must be a bold focal point for the overall interior decor. The best upholstery choice can be made based on:
- Color Choice: You must choose light-colored upholstery if you want an open and airy feel, but it gets stained easily. Dark and bold colors will hide imperfections and stains while adding warmth to the interiors. If you are unsure, go for neutral colors like white or gray.
- Pattern: There are a variety of patterns, like bold ones, including floral and geometric designs, to add warmth to a space. The size of the furniture piece also affects the pattern choice. A bigger piece will feel good with a large pattern.
- Texture: Upholstery with texture adds depth to the room. The best example is smooth fabrics such as satin and silk, which are a bit high maintenance but feel elegant. Then there are boucles and tweeds, which are cozy and give the space an inviting feel with just furniture alone.
4. It Should Be Easily Cleanable
The fabric can be beautiful all over, but if it’s not easily maintainable, it will be replaced in just a few months. This is why you should never commit to an upholstery fabric just for its look. You must always consider the cleaning and maintenance factors as well. Some fabrics are natural stain—and dirt-repellent, whereas some might need extra maintenance on a daily basis. You must look into these factors for an upholstery fabric when considering its maintenance and cleaning.
- Any home with kids and pets must choose a stain-resistant fabric option, especially one that repels liquid. The best choice for it is the microfiber.
- The fabric should offer easy washing for proper cleaning. Some fabrics are machine washable, while some can be machine washed or dry cleaned only.
- Choose a fabric that is color-fade resistant to direct sunlight exposure. Natural fabrics like wool and cotton often fade more quickly than synthetic ones. Acrylic and polyester are the best choices.
5. It Should Be Within Your Budget Range
Nowadays, upholstery fabrics are available in a wide variety and varying price ranges. There are affordable options like polyester and cotton, and on the other hand, there are luxury options like velvet and silk. The price factor is something you must keep in mind when selecting the fabric. Our tip is not to be too stingy on the money when making this selection because a high-quality fabric lasts longer compared to a low-cost one. Our tips for choosing cost-effective upholstery fabrics are:
- Go for fabrics that are a blend of natural and synthetic materials. They are usually more affordable and have 100% more durability than natural ones.
- These days, performance fabrics are available for furniture upholstery. They are quite affordable, and even if the price is a bit high, they will save you money in the long run. They cost less to maintain and require fewer repairs than other upholstery fabrics.
- You can choose custom upholstery fabric. It might seem expensive at first, but the ease of choosing it for style and comfort makes it worth spending for.
6. It Must Be A Sustainable Piece Of Furniture
Eco-friendliness is becoming increasingly common, and most homeowners opt for sustainable upholstery. You must choose upholstery fabric that comes from natural renewable resources or has been made using eco-friendly manufacturing practices.
- Go for organic linens and cotton if you are an eco-conscious homeowner.
- There are even some upholstery fabrics that are made from recycled materials like plastic bottles or reclaimed textiles.
Are you searching for the best upholstery fabrics for your furniture pieces? Arabiccurtains.ae is here to help you with furniture reupholstery. We have experts who will help you choose from our extensive range of upholstery fabrics at any budget.
Conclusion
When faced with the question of how to choose the best upholstery fabric, take some time to consider different options. With a clear understanding of the type of fabric that you might choose, you can make a clear choice on an upholstery fabric that will last for a long time. The upholstery must be comfortable and durable and must always be within your budget range.
