When buying a new sofa or chair, it is a big financial investment. You want to be sure that the fabric you choose is a good one that will hold up well to many uses. If you’ve never had to purchase upholstery fabric before it can be difficult to decide which one is right for your home. Choosing the wrong fabric can be very costly in both time and money. This article will give you a good idea of what is available and help you make the right choice for your furniture.
There are two general categories of upholstery fabrics – natural and synthetic. Within those there are several subcategories. These are based on the fibers that the fabric is made from. Cotton is one of the most popular upholstery fabrics. It comes in a variety of different thicknesses and weaves. From there you can find denim and classic washed cotton to heavy woven canvas and duck. There are also performance fabrics available like Crypton that is used in hospitals and five-star hotels. This is an almost indestructible fabric with enhanced abrasion resistance and antimicrobial properties.
Another fabric option that is tough and looks great is polyester. It is a very versatile fabric that has a lot of color options and it holds up well to heavy use. It has the advantage of being able to be cleaned with bleach. It does tend to fade a little over time but with proper care it will last a long time. There are also solution-dyed acrylics that are a bit harder to wash but very durable and they come in a large selection of colors.
The other big type of fabric is leather. It is a beautiful and rich looking fabric that adds to the look of any room. The price is a bit more expensive but it stands up to heavy use very well and is easy to clean. The only problem is that it can be a bit cold to sit on.
Nylon is used in some upholstery fabrics but it is blended most often with wool to help that fabric stand up to wear and tear. Nylon is not as durable as some of the other fabrics but it can be a good choice. It has a high thread count and is generally more expensive.
Most of the major box stores have some upholstery fabric in their fabric section but the selection can vary a lot. Check your local department or locally-owned fabric store for a bigger selection. They may have the fabric you are looking for but if they don’t, they can order it for you. A local sewing shop can also be an excellent resource for finding the perfect fabric for your project. They can also show you how to sew the fabric and help you with any other questions you have about putting together your new furniture. Be sure to ask about a rub count before you buy any upholstery fabric. This is a number that indicates how durable the fabric is and the higher the number the better the quality of the fabric.