What is the Best Fabric for Upholstered Sofas?
Fabric sofas come in a wide variety of colours and patterns, but there are also a few different coverings to choose from as well. From chenille to cotton and leather to micro fibre, each fabric covering has benefits and drawbacks. The best choice for your home is the one that suits your lifestyle.
Touch and Feel
The main difference in upholstery fabrics is the feel and texture. Some are soft, like chenille, while others have a more rugged feeling, such as leather or corduroy. There will be fabrics that feel cool to the touch and others that will warm you. Touch a few different fabrics to decide which one suits you. Think about the average temperature in your home and how the fabric will feel if you’re wearing short pants or a skirt. Remember that your sofa needs to be comfortable and the feel of the fabric is a big part of that.
Cotton blends often present the softest feeling fabric with the most longevity. Velvets and suede feel very nice at first, but often loose that texture over time and end up looking ratty and worn rather quickly. Cotton is a wonderfully natural product that delivers the feel you want and the strength you need.
Differences in Wear
Another major difference in sofa upholstery fabrics is the wear factor. Synthetic fabrics like polyester blends (micro fibre) and nylon blends tend to be long wearing and easy to both spot clean and deep clean without the help of a professional. Some natural fabrics, such as linen and silk are used for sofas that won’t be exposed to a lot of use – formal settings work well for fabrics of this type.
Leather is one of the best choices for wear, especially genuine leather sofas. Providing a consistently beautiful look with an undeniable strength and durability, when it comes to furniture leather is worth the investment.
Weave and Thread Count
Much like high quality sheets, the best fabrics have a high thread count. This means there are more individual threads woven together to form the cloth, making it stronger and more durable even with regular wear and tear. Tightly woven fabrics are best on sofas and actually serve as better protection for the cushioning and frame underneath.
It’s important to look for patterns that are woven in. This type of design will look better longer than those with the pattern simply printed on the fabric. Think about what you are looking for in a sofa. Does it need to be a strong fabric or are softness and texture more important to you. Will stains and dirt be an issue? Are you investing in this furniture for the long haul? All of these questions will allow you to choose the type of sofa fabric covering that suits your lifestyle and needs perfectly.
With so many types of sofas available, why not consider one of the many leather sofas that are available online.