Choosing the right upholstery fabrics can be overwhelming with so many options these days. You can opt for synthetic or natural fabrics but always keep in mind that the right fabric increases the lifespan of your furniture. To help you make the right decision, we’ve collected information about the best upholstery fabrics along with their pros and cons. So, read on.
Types of Upholstery Fabrics
There are several types of upholstery fabrics including acrylic, cotton, acetate, nylon, silk, rayon, polypropylene, wool, hemp, leather, polyester, and linen. All these fabrics are made of a single yard or a blend of yarns. The right upholstery fabric ensures the longevity of the furniture. Some of the most common upholstery fabrics are;
Natural Upholstery Fabrics
- Silk
Even though silk is a piece of good upholstery fabric, it is quite expensive and needs to be professionally cleaned when stained or spilled. It is not ideal for casual settings.
- Cotton
Cotton is one of the cheapest and the most commonly used upholstery fabrics. It is incredibly durable and provides a soft feel to your furniture. However, cotton is prone to stains therefore it is not ideal for everyday use.
- Wool
Wool is considered the most durable upholstery fabric and it is highly resistant to staining and pilling. The only downside of having wool is when it gets wet, it can smell bad.
- Linen
Linen is a good upholstery fabric but it is not ideal for children’s rooms as it can stain and wrinkle easily. The material gets also shrinks when washed therefore it needs to be professionally cleaned.
- Leather
Leather is a luxurious upholstery fabric and it is ideal for heavy-traffic areas. The most interesting fact about leather is it is very easy to clean.
Synthetic Upholstery Fabrics
- Polyester
Polyester is often used with other fibers such as cotton. It was an early choice for outdoor upholstery yarn. The material has the ability to retain the dyes easily.
- Polypropylene or Olefin
Olefin, undeniably, is one of the great upholstery fabrics, and for many reasons. It is incredibly durable and can be cleaned without using special treatments. As it is the second most produced plastic, you might have looked its name at yogurt containers, water bottles, and tub ware.
- Acrylic
Acrylic is considered the best upholstery fabric for outdoor furniture because of its resistance to soiling, fading, and wrinkling. However, low-quality acrylic can pill easily
- Nylon
Nylon is a well-known upholstery fabric that is rarely used alone. When combined with other fibers, nylon can eliminate crushing and napping in chenille or velvet fabrics. The only drawback of using nylon as upholstery fabric is it can fade in high UV or sunlight rays.
- Rayon
Rayon was first developed to imitate cotton, silk, and linen. Even though the material is durable and strong, it is prone to wrinkling.
Whatever the upholstery fabric you choose, please ensure you are purchasing from a reputable platform. Only the right fabric can enhance the longevity of your furniture.