Tips for selecting the perfect upholstery fabric for home furniture

In The Lion King, Pumbaa the warthog famously says, “Home is where your rump rests!” But, what is it resting on? The answer is usually a couch, an armchair, or even a dining chair. Furniture has to be beautiful and engineered correctly because it’s going to be used. This inevitably leads to needing an upholstery fabric that is equally beautiful and well-engineered.

Choosing an upholstery fabric can be challenging with the myriad of fabric types, colours, textures, and designs available. The choice can be influenced by the year round weather conditions, the amount of light in the space, whether or not there are young children and pets to consider along with other factors such as whether the upholstery is a slipcover or not. Each home has its unique demands and then it has to work well with the overall design aesthetic. With so many considerations, there are key elements to narrow down the choice.

Texture

Fabric type

Design

Colour

Getting your upholstery choice right the first time

The number one consideration in upholstery choices is who uses the furniture and how do they live. As an example, if it’s a young household with children and pets, silk is not a good upholstery choice. While linen may look good initially, it wouldn’t necessarily be a good match for a sofa where there’s a lot of lounging and eating snacks. Plus, the upholstery fabric has to be a good fit for the area where the furniture resides. This means taking into consideration if it’s a sofa in a living room, a dining chair for frequent family dinners, or an ottoman in a child’s room.

These are some popular upholstery fabric options:

Cotton: Soft and breathable, cotton is easy to dye, offering a wide range of colours and patterns. But, it’s less durable and may wrinkle or fade over time.
Leather: Stylish and durable, leather can withstand wear and tear better than most fabrics. It’s also very expensive and requires specific maintenance practices.
Linen: Ideal for formal living rooms or adult spaces, but it’s prone to soiling and wrinkling and doesn’t hold up well under heavy use.
Synthetic Fabrics: These include polyester and nylon. They’re affordable, versatile, and come in various styles. Synthetic fabrics are a great budget-friendly option.

Another factor to think about is abrasion resistance as well as fabric maintenance. If the furniture is going to get plenty of use, look for a higher abrasion resistance to ensure the upholstery fabric lasts longer. As for maintenance, the choice remains with the individual if they want fabric that can be machine washed, requires professional cleaning, or boasts stain-free technology such as FibreGuard.

Examples of upholstery options

Let’s imagine that a homeowner wants comfy couches for a TV room that the whole family will enjoy on movie nights. This requires upholstery that is soft and inviting but also easy to clean. FibreGuard’s Naturama fabric is a beautiful multipurpose chenille so, with a glorious soft touch and brushed feel. The soft texture of the fabric makes it easy and comfortable to sink into and you'll be pleased to know that this collection is GRS (Global Recycled Standard) and OCS (Organic Content Standard) certified, making this a standout eco fabric.

If the upholstery project are perhaps a set of armchairs or an ottoman in a living room that needs a bit of interest and differentiation from the sofa, then FR-One’s Saiph fabric from the Synergy collection is a great choice. Saiph strikingly combines boucle yarn with a flatweave construction in chevron jacquard. This fabric boasts tactile and visual interest and this fire retardant fabric boasts GRS certification meaning it’s composed of recycled fibres.

Naturama by FibreGuard

Synergy by FR-One

Another great example of how the choice of upholstery can change the feel of the furniture or even the space are the stylish designs of Woodbender. Their ash bentwood chairs and stools are crafted to stand the test of time and designed to bring style and elegance to any space. For the seat upholstery, Woodbender offers FibreGuard fabrics in velvet, flat weave and a plain texture so these pieces that blend timeless design and exceptional craftsmanship will be right at home in many different decor styles.

Sofa shape and upholstery colour choices

When selecting upholstery fabric, the shape of your furniture and your colour choices are intricately linked, creating a harmonious ambiance in your space. For a curvy sofa or chair, solid-coloured fabrics are the best bet. Intricate patterns or textures with a specific direction might not upholster well on these shapes. The fabric needs to flow smoothly over the curves without distortion.

Sofas and substantial furniture benefit from rich solid colours or classic neutrals. These hues won’t tire over time and provide a stable foundation for your room. Smaller pieces, like accent chairs, offer an opportunity to inject personality. Opt for bolder shades or eye-catching patterns to liven up the space.

With these simple guidelines, upholstery choices not only meet the practical elements of the furniture, but also allows for some fun. Fortunately, FibreGuard and FR-One upholstery fabrics are available in a wide variety of classic and trending colours with striking designs and weaves for impressive statements.

Whether it’s a new purchase or reupholstering a beloved favourite, getting the fabrics right extends the life of furniture pieces and allows them to live happily inside the home. They are the anchors for family movie nights, watching sport with friends, enjoying en engaging conversation, or even the sanctuary for peaceful reading time. Visit your local Home Fabrics showroom for expert advice on upholstery fabric options for specific projects and don’t forget to check out Woodbender’s exquisite furniture.

Shop the look

Here are some of our favourite fabrics featured in this article, and where you can buy them.