Which Upholstery Fabric Is Right for You?
Here's a guide to the right living-room materials to suit your aesthetics and the weather conditions where you stay
While good furniture is integral to a room’s design, finding the right upholstery, too, is a key contributor to the look of the area. Colour and style is important but there are other essentials that should be considered before buying the upholstery fabric – its strength and durability, its resistance to stains and the maintenance needed. Here’s all you need to know about six popular upholstery fabrics that will help you make the right decision for your sofas, cushion covers and curtains.
Linen
There’s something very earthy and charming about linen. When upholstered on a vintage armchair or a love seat, it makes the piece stand out.
Pros: Good-quality linen is inherently anti-microbial and is resistant to mildew. It doesn’t allow dust to settle down easily or get embedded in its surface.
Cons: Linen is prone to staining. It doesn’t hold up well to sunlight as its fibres tend to weaken. Linen undergoes a fair amount of shrinkage after washing. When cleaned in hot water or dried in the sun, it shrinks excessively. That is why it is advisable to get this fabric professionally washed. When used as drapery, it also wrinkles faster than any other material (although many people consider that a part of the charm of linen).
Browse through images of linen sofas
There’s something very earthy and charming about linen. When upholstered on a vintage armchair or a love seat, it makes the piece stand out.
Pros: Good-quality linen is inherently anti-microbial and is resistant to mildew. It doesn’t allow dust to settle down easily or get embedded in its surface.
Cons: Linen is prone to staining. It doesn’t hold up well to sunlight as its fibres tend to weaken. Linen undergoes a fair amount of shrinkage after washing. When cleaned in hot water or dried in the sun, it shrinks excessively. That is why it is advisable to get this fabric professionally washed. When used as drapery, it also wrinkles faster than any other material (although many people consider that a part of the charm of linen).
Browse through images of linen sofas
Viscose
Viscose looks luxurious and has a silk-like lustre, yet it is affordable. That’s because viscose is a man-made fibre, created from cellulose that is chemically extracted from trees.
Pros: It is an affordable, elastic fabric and is available in varied colours and styles. It is also a ‘breathing’ fabric like cotton and great for hot and humid climates.
Cons: Viscose wrinkles easily and has low resistance to abrasions. Low-quality viscose is susceptible to water and moisture damage, which make the colours of the fabric bleed.
Viscose looks luxurious and has a silk-like lustre, yet it is affordable. That’s because viscose is a man-made fibre, created from cellulose that is chemically extracted from trees.
Pros: It is an affordable, elastic fabric and is available in varied colours and styles. It is also a ‘breathing’ fabric like cotton and great for hot and humid climates.
Cons: Viscose wrinkles easily and has low resistance to abrasions. Low-quality viscose is susceptible to water and moisture damage, which make the colours of the fabric bleed.
Leather
Who can deny the charisma of leather? It has a rich appearance and can make a room look sophisticated and stylish. Think of high-backs, chaise longues, recliners or even cushions upholstered in this material. Don’t they look just fabulous?
Pros: High-quality leather is long-lasting and doesn’t fray. Lighter scratches can be covered up using leather polish. Stains that are caused by spilled food can be cleaned using a vacuum cleaner or a damp cloth, without discolouring the material.
Con: High-quality, pure leather is expensive and isn’t available in many colour options. It is a less comfortable fabric to lounge around on because of its hard texture. Since the fabric isn’t porous enough, it doesn’t ventilate well. So the fabric gets cold in winter and warm in summer, making it less ideal to kick back on.
Tip: There are three categories of leather you can choose from. The first is pure leather, made of cowhide, which is the most expensive kind. It looks rich, has a natural shine to it and is long-lasting. Second, artificial or faux leather, which is the inexpensive version of pure leather and a more eco-friendly option. It doesn’t, however, have the lustre of real leather and is more prone to peeling and tearing. Third, suede, another type of natural leather, which is soft to touch and ages well. But it stains easily and is a delicate fabric that requires professional cleaning.
Who can deny the charisma of leather? It has a rich appearance and can make a room look sophisticated and stylish. Think of high-backs, chaise longues, recliners or even cushions upholstered in this material. Don’t they look just fabulous?
Pros: High-quality leather is long-lasting and doesn’t fray. Lighter scratches can be covered up using leather polish. Stains that are caused by spilled food can be cleaned using a vacuum cleaner or a damp cloth, without discolouring the material.
Con: High-quality, pure leather is expensive and isn’t available in many colour options. It is a less comfortable fabric to lounge around on because of its hard texture. Since the fabric isn’t porous enough, it doesn’t ventilate well. So the fabric gets cold in winter and warm in summer, making it less ideal to kick back on.
Tip: There are three categories of leather you can choose from. The first is pure leather, made of cowhide, which is the most expensive kind. It looks rich, has a natural shine to it and is long-lasting. Second, artificial or faux leather, which is the inexpensive version of pure leather and a more eco-friendly option. It doesn’t, however, have the lustre of real leather and is more prone to peeling and tearing. Third, suede, another type of natural leather, which is soft to touch and ages well. But it stains easily and is a delicate fabric that requires professional cleaning.
Velvet
A delicate fabric with a sensual feel, velvet has an inherently glamorous quality to it. It can give a lift to furniture pieces, creating a luxe, glitzy ambience.
Pros: Velvet can accentuate the look and feel of any room. Since the fabric is dense, it can absorb large amounts of dye, creating a vibrant tone. Due to its thickness, it can be used as curtains for insulation against harsh and chilly winds – great for cities that experience extreme winters.
Cons: Velvet wrinkles easily and also gets permanently stained. It is known to be more difficult to clean and to maintain than other fabrics because when washed with water or with water-based cleaners, the fabric can flatten and lose its softness. It is a magnet for dust and hair, so it’s not recommended for homes that have active little children or pets.
Learn how to choose the right kind of velvet for your sofa
A delicate fabric with a sensual feel, velvet has an inherently glamorous quality to it. It can give a lift to furniture pieces, creating a luxe, glitzy ambience.
Pros: Velvet can accentuate the look and feel of any room. Since the fabric is dense, it can absorb large amounts of dye, creating a vibrant tone. Due to its thickness, it can be used as curtains for insulation against harsh and chilly winds – great for cities that experience extreme winters.
Cons: Velvet wrinkles easily and also gets permanently stained. It is known to be more difficult to clean and to maintain than other fabrics because when washed with water or with water-based cleaners, the fabric can flatten and lose its softness. It is a magnet for dust and hair, so it’s not recommended for homes that have active little children or pets.
Learn how to choose the right kind of velvet for your sofa
Silk
A natural fibre, silk, with its shimmery appearance and smoothness, has a ‘wow’ factor attached to it.
Pros: Silk has an opulent look to it and can make a space shine. It even looks rich as a wallpaper fabric. Due to its smooth surface, it doesn’t let dust settle in.
Cons: Pure silk is an expensive material. Since it is not stain-resistant and can even retain water marks, it should be used sparingly in the living room, especially if it’s a high-traffic area. Silk fibres have low elasticity and weaken in sunlight so you should avoid keeping silk cushions or sofas close to the windows.
Tip: Faux silk is more affordable than pure silk. It won’t, however, have the same shimmer. Another option (for curtains) is sheer, which is a blend of silk, nylon or rayon. It has a delicate, stylish quality to it – a thin, see-through material usually used as a curtain for tall windows or doorways.
Pure silk upholstery usually needs a layer of fabric permanently bonded to its back. This gives the material stability and holds it up better. It also helps the fabric to not wrinkle or crease easily.
Here are 10 ways you can make your home look more luxurious
A natural fibre, silk, with its shimmery appearance and smoothness, has a ‘wow’ factor attached to it.
Pros: Silk has an opulent look to it and can make a space shine. It even looks rich as a wallpaper fabric. Due to its smooth surface, it doesn’t let dust settle in.
Cons: Pure silk is an expensive material. Since it is not stain-resistant and can even retain water marks, it should be used sparingly in the living room, especially if it’s a high-traffic area. Silk fibres have low elasticity and weaken in sunlight so you should avoid keeping silk cushions or sofas close to the windows.
Tip: Faux silk is more affordable than pure silk. It won’t, however, have the same shimmer. Another option (for curtains) is sheer, which is a blend of silk, nylon or rayon. It has a delicate, stylish quality to it – a thin, see-through material usually used as a curtain for tall windows or doorways.
Pure silk upholstery usually needs a layer of fabric permanently bonded to its back. This gives the material stability and holds it up better. It also helps the fabric to not wrinkle or crease easily.
Here are 10 ways you can make your home look more luxurious
Maintenance
Always give prompt attention to spills and stains. Certain fabric protectors, like Scotchguard, 3M and Chemours that help safeguard the fabrics, are available in the market.
It is important to know the conditions and demands that each fabric brings with it. For long-lasting fabrics, it is imperative to adhere to maintenance protocols – which material can be easily washed at home, which ones require special cleaning, and so on.
In a frequently used space, opt for fabrics that are strong and which don’t easily fray. Most fabrics should be vacuumed at least twice a month. Certain special fabrics like velvet or silk need to be professionally cleaned.
An in-depth guide on how to maintain your furnishings
Read more:
12 Most Versatile Sofa Colours
6 Ways to Use Leftover Fabric
Tell us:
What fabrics have you used to upholster your living room? Tell us why you chose those materials in the Comments section below.
Always give prompt attention to spills and stains. Certain fabric protectors, like Scotchguard, 3M and Chemours that help safeguard the fabrics, are available in the market.
It is important to know the conditions and demands that each fabric brings with it. For long-lasting fabrics, it is imperative to adhere to maintenance protocols – which material can be easily washed at home, which ones require special cleaning, and so on.
In a frequently used space, opt for fabrics that are strong and which don’t easily fray. Most fabrics should be vacuumed at least twice a month. Certain special fabrics like velvet or silk need to be professionally cleaned.
An in-depth guide on how to maintain your furnishings
Read more:
12 Most Versatile Sofa Colours
6 Ways to Use Leftover Fabric
Tell us:
What fabrics have you used to upholster your living room? Tell us why you chose those materials in the Comments section below.
It’s such a familiar material – from our T-shirts, trousers, sarees, dresses and towels to sofas and curtains, this fabric is used extensively. A big reason for its popularity is because it is a porous material – the fabric ‘breathes’ (allowing air to pass through it) and stays cool during the hot Indian months.
Pros: Cotton is resistant to wear and tear, fading and pilling (those small balls that form on your sweaters and make the fabric look shabby over time). High-quality cotton is easy to maintain and can be washed in the machine without any problems. Due to the material’s popularity, cotton fabrics usually come in many colour and pattern options. This fabric is relatively budget-friendly, compared to other fabrics.
Cons: This fabric stains easily. Cotton also tends to crease, so the fabric needs to be upholstered tightly on sofas and chairs.
Tip: For outdoor upholstery that requires a stronger material to withstand the weather conditions, you can ditch regular cotton and go for fabrics like canvas or twill, which are tougher weaves of cotton. These aren’t as soft but more stain-resistant than regular cotton.