When deciding on upholstery fabric for chairs and sofas, it’s more than a matter of aesthetics. Your fabric choice can impact comfort, durability and overall satisfaction. Different fabrics have different qualities, which makes the selection process difficult. While there’s no universal ‘best’ fabric for all chairs and sofas, you can simplify the process and narrow down your options. Whether it’s for a busy office, a cosy living room or a high-traffic commercial space, here’s our guide to choosing the best upholstery fabric for your needs.
Durability
Durability is paramount for any type of chair and sofa. However, if it’s in a high-traffic area with frequent use, this is even more important. The level of abrasion a fabric can withstand correlates directly with its longevity and resilience. For spaces with heavy usage, like commercial settings of a busy family room, choosing a fabric with a high abrasion resistance is crucial.
One of the most durable options is leather. This is known for its strength and resilience against daily wear and tear. Genuine leather, particularly the top-grain varieties, has exceptional durability. This makes it an excellent choice for furniture intended for heavy usage.
Another durable option is polyester or nylon. Both of these synthetic fabrics are engineered to withstand abrasion. They’re also often treated with additional coatings to enhance their durability. Polyester blends, in particular, are strong yet affordable, which makes them a popular choice commercially.
For spaces requiring maximum durability, performance fabrics like solution-dyed acrylic or polyester are built to resist stains, fading and abrasion. These often come with additional antimicrobial and stain-resistant finishes too, making them easier to maintain.
Cleanability and maintenance
Where heavy wear is expected, you’re going to need fabrics that are easy to clean and maintain. This is especially true for settings prone to spillage or where cleanliness is vital like in hospitals, clinics, dining facilities and public transport. The fabrics chosen for these environments must possess qualities that facilitate easy upkeep and cleaning.
Demanding environments like these call for fabrics engineered with stain-resistant properties. This makes them highly resistant to spills, stains and dirt buildup. Many of these fabrics also have moisture-repellent finishes. This causes spilt liquids to bead up on the surface rather than penetrate the fabric fibres.
Many of these settings use vinyl or faux leather upholstery, which is inherently water-resistant and can be cleaned easily with a damp cloth. Vinyl upholstery is often treated with antimicrobial solutions. This further enhances the hygiene of the setting.
When hygiene is of utmost importance, many settings choose fabrics in removable or washable covers that can be laundered. This means the seating remains clean and fresh.
Safety
While it’s reassuring that many upholstery fabrics are flame retardant, certain environments like education and healthcare settings must choose fire-resistant fabrics. Thankfully, all of our fabrics are flame-retardant.
In critical environments like these, fabrics certified to meet specific fire safety standards provide peace of mind whilst also complying with regulatory requirements. In the UK, the British Standard BS 5852 is the one to look out for.
Additionally, fabrics treated with flame-retardant finishes offer an extra layer of protection against ignition and flame spread. These are designed to hamper combustion, which reduces the risk of fire-related incidents.
Comfort
Safety and cleanliness aside, comfort is important. Comfort creates a sense of well-being and relaxation and takes the seating beyond functional. When selecting upholstery fabrics, it’s important to consider comfort. The chair or sofa must look and feel inviting. Soft-textured fabrics with ample cushioning give you a luxurious seating feel. They encourage users to unwind and remain in the space. Materials like chenille and velvet give a sumptuous feel and are inviting.
Upholstery fabric aesthetics also contribute to the ambience. Fabrics with rich colours, intricate patterns or tactile finishes also add visual interest and personality. When you harmonise comfort and aesthetics, you create a space that’s visually appealing and inviting.
Our Crush fabric offers a decisive and restrained upholstery choice, confidently taking centre stage in any discerning home.
Budget
It’s important to balance out durability, safety and comfort with budget constraints both upfront costs and expenditures over time. Upholstery fabric costs can vary significantly depending on factors like material quality, construction and brand reputation.
Choosing high-quality fabrics might come with a higher upfront investment but it can yield substantial savings over time due to increased durability and longevity. Investing in durable fabrics that require minimal maintenance and replacement can result in lower total ownership costs.
On the other hand, choosing lower-cost fabrics may provide initial savings but could lead to higher maintenance expenses and more frequent replacements. It’s important, therefore, to weigh the trade-offs between upfront savings and long-term costs.
Additionally, it’s crucial to factor in the cost of maintenance and cleaning with the expected lifespan of the fabric so you can work out the total cost of ownership over time.
Get in touch with our team to discuss your next project.
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