What Are The Best Fabrics for Upholstery Projects

Whether revamping an old sofa, creating a decorative side chair or refreshing a footstool, choosing the right material for the job ensures longevity and style. This article will explore the best upholstery fabrics for your upcoming interior projects. 

What is Upholstery?

Upholstery refers to the materials that cover furniture such as sofas, chairs and ottomans. It includes structural elements like padding, webbing, and springs, which provide comfort, support and aesthetic appeal. Various fabrics, such as cotton, linen and wool, allow for style, texture, and colour customisation to suit different interior designs. 

Best Upholstery Fabrics

Here are a handful of high-quality upholstery fabrics to consider: 

Cotton

Cotton is a natural fabric that is both breathable and soft. Its versatility is due to its ability to be dyed into various colours and patterns. While cotton alone is prone to wear, blending it with synthetic fibres can enhance its durability and stain resistance.

Best for: Sofas, armchairs and slipcovers in casual or formal areas where comfort and breathability are priority.  

Leather

As leather is a rugged material, it can be easily wiped with a dry or damp cloth and vacuumed and cleaned with specialised leather products. Its resistance to spills and stains makes it ideal for high-traffic areas and families with pets and children. However, leather is higher maintenance than other fabrics, requiring occasional conditioning to prevent drying and cracking. It’s also prone to scratching, though it can be seen as a characteristic for many who like the rustic aesthetic look. 

Best for: Sofas, recliners and office furniture that require heavy usage. 

Linen

Linen is an eco-friendly fabric that not only uses less water than most fabrics but is also biodegradable and recyclable. Its breathable style can give a room a sophisticated yet airy look that enhances the aesthetics of any space. Unfortunately, its elegant look can wrinkle easily and is prone to staining, making it less suitable for homes with young children or pets. Furniture using this fabric will require a professional cleaning to ensure its quality over time. 

Best for: Decorative chairs and accent furniture, such as headboards, footstools and ottomans, in elegant or formal living areas. 

Wool

Wool is popular for its natural resistance to stains, odours and wrinkles. Its durable nature allows it to hold its shape and provide warmth and comfort, making it an ideal choice for a traditional, cosy look. Though wool is a great long-term investment, it does require proper maintenance and may need to be blended with synthetic fibres to add a touch of softness, for it can naturally feel slightly coarse. 

Best for: High-traffic areas, sofas, egg chairs, vanity stools or dining chairs. 

Silk

This delicate fabric is considered luxurious and known for its rich sheen. Silk is susceptible to staining, fading and wear, so it is not practical for everyday use and should be treated with care. Therefore, this elegant fabric should only be used for accent furniture in formal areas to enhance the beauty of the space. 

Best for: Decorative accent pieces like a side chair and footstool set in a formal room or a bedroom headboard.

Velvet

Velvet’s plush and soft material adds a sense of luxury and sophistication to any space. Its rich texture and deep tones make furniture pieces feel elegant and timeless in traditional or modern homes. However, while velvet is wonderful to the touch, it tends to attract dust and pet hair, making its upkeep demanding. Despite this, velvet is a popular fabric choice to elevate a space and add depth and a hint of glamour. 

Best for: Statement sofas, vanity stools and ottomans in low-traffic rooms like bedrooms.