An ultimate guide to choosing upholstery fabrics for your luxury furniture

Upholstery Techniques That Will Create A Luxurious Feeling In Your Room

There are many different upholstery techniques and styles, so you can choose the one that suits your taste. Here are some of the most common ones:

Upholstery Fabric Types

When selecting upholstery, you have several choices. The first one is the natural fabric: made from plants or animal skin with a distinctive look that adds personality to any piece of furniture.

Next is synthetic fabric—made with artificial materials that provide similar features as natural fabrics but at a lower cost and with less maintenance.

Synthetic fabrics, like polyester or nylon, can mimic the look of natural fibres but require little maintenance and don't wear out as quickly.

Natural upholstery fabrics

Natural upholstery fabrics are made from the fibres of plant or animal products, such as cotton, linen, and wool. They are more durable than synthetic materials and are costlier because of their rarity. However, they are also more comfortable and environmentally friendly to use. Natural upholstery fabrics are also beautiful because they showcase nature's designs, like leaves or vines, that aren't easy to replicate in artificially made textiles.

Sofa fabric types like linen and cotton are great for those who want a natural look and feel for their home.

Cotton is one of the most common sofa cloth types used in upholstery, but it can be difficult to clean because it absorbs stains easily. If you have kids or pets, consider another fabric that's easier to clean. Wool is another natural fibre that can be used in sofa upholstery;

Pros

• Durable
• Comfortable feel
• Environmentally friendly (no harmful chemicals used)

Cons

• More expensive than synthetic fabrics, natural fibres tend to fade in sunlight and can be damaged by water or stains.
• They are more difficult to clean than synthetic fabrics, especially made of delicate silk or linen. They may need professional help to get them spotless—and even then might still be hard-to-remove stains!

Synthetic upholstery fabrics

Synthetic types of sofa fabrics are made from polyester, polyurethane, or acrylic. They are easy to clean and come in a variety of colours. Synthetic upholstery fabrics have a long life span, which makes them great for active family homes. If you have children or pets that like to play on their furniture, synthetic upholstery fabrics are ideal as they can withstand wear and tear without affecting the overall look of the furniture.

Synthetic Sofa fabrics like polyester are more resistant to stains, but they can sometimes be harder to clean because they are less absorbent.

Genuine Leather sofa fabrics are the most durable and long-lasting of all fabrics. They are made from natural materials like cowhide, pig skin, or goatskin. On the other hand, synthetic leathers are made out of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or polyurethane (PU), which lack the strength and durability that real leather has.

Pros

• Easy to care for by using a damp cloth with mild soap solution; spot clean stains immediately with mild detergent solution; take care when cleaning as some finishes may scratch easily.
• Durable - has high abrasion resistance due to its high tensile strength (resistance), which makes it perfect for children's use.
• Resistant to fading & stains - UV protection helps prevent sun damage; stain-resistant dyes mean it won't be noticeable if you spill anything.

Cons

The material is also more likely to scratch and stain, especially if the upholstery is made of synthetic fibres.

Practical Tips When Selecting Upholstery Fabrics

Upholstered furniture pieces can add an eclectic touch to any room—if you select the right fabric. You have many choices for upholstery fabrics, each suited to a different style or personality. When choosing upholstery fabric for your furniture, you should consider several factors.

1. Style

Consider the style and size of your furniture. You want a fabric consistent with the look you are trying to achieve—whether it be traditional elegance or something more modern—but also complements its scale.

2. Colours

Think about what colours you already have in your home, whether you prefer light or dark shades, and create a colour palette that suits all the rooms.

3. Durability

When choosing fabric for upholstery, it is important to consider how well the material will hold up over time. You should also ensure that any choice you do works with pets or children if you have any.

4. Maintenance

Keep practicality in mind: you'll want something easy to care for (no one wants to do this weekly), maintenance-free (so pass on dry cleaning!), and stain-resistant.

5. Price

Upholstery can be made using various materials, and the more durable ones are often more expensive than those that wear down easily.

Conclusion

For those who love the look of luxury furniture, choosing the right upholstery fabric is an important step in achieving that goal. The right fabric will enhance your home décor and be functional as well. So look at our suggestions for what fabrics work best for each type of room, and then choose one that matches your taste.

Sunday Design offers a wide range of upholstered furniture, from the classics to more contemporary styles. Materials include Berkeley, Tweed fabric, and Eco Leather – in various colours that suit every taste. When you enter one of our showrooms, it's easy to see why many people choose Sunday Design for their upholstery needs. We've got a wide selection of products, including fabric sofa sets, pouffes, swivel lounge chairs, and tables—all designed to help you turn your home or office into the space of your dreams!