From traditional prints to luxury leather, learn which fabrics are best suited for your sofa. Discover how the right fabric can add comfort and durability to make your dreams of an updated home come true!
Do you find yourself daydreaming about a new sofa for your living room, but overwhelmed by the fabric options available? Whether it’s adding a cozy touch of comfort or standing up to family movie nights and pets, choosing the right fabric for your sofa is key in achieving the perfect look with lasting durability. From traditional prints to luxury leather, discover some of our favorite fabrics that will help make your dreams of an updated home come true!
1. What are the pros and cons of the following fabrics: Cotton, Linen, Velvet, Chenille, Microfiber, Leather (and Faux Leather)
Linens are a natural, light-weight fabric that's suitable for many applications from home decor to fashion. It's breathable and can be easily bleached and dyed. The con to linen fabric is it can break down easily when washed too often. It requires a bit of a delicate touch by tumble drying low and either hand-washing or sending to the dry cleaner for proper care.
2. What should you consider when you choose the fabric for your sofa? (e.g. whether you have kids or pets)
Consider first your lifestyle. Do you entertain guests over good drinks and food often? Do you have small children? A fabric that is resistant to stains would be ideal. If you have pets, consider a fabric with a high double rub count. This means the fabric won't pill or thread if Mittens that cat goes clawing at your favorite sofa or if Buddy the pup lounges and sheds on the good chair. If the furniture piece will be outdoors or in a sunroom, stay away from fabrics that fade easily. That bright yellow cushion just may turn beige after a few weeks in Texas summers.
3. What fabrics would you recommend? Wool is a biodegradable fabric that is also very durable, but may not offer the best hand, meaning softness. However, when blended with other fabrics like cotton or polyester, it holds up very well to wear and tear while giving it a softer feel. Crypton is a designer favorite because it's durable, cleanable, and disinfectable. It's used in hospital grade and residential grade furniture because of how well it performs. It's a stain-resistant, odor-resistant, moisture-resistant, easy to clean fabric that makes it prefect for homes with pets, children, or where you expect there to be lots of spills (like the mancave or dining room).
I also like a good linen blend fabric. Linen is a very light-weight, breathable fabric, like cotton. Making them great for tabletops, window treatments, curtains and even bedding. When blended with other fabrics, it helps to increase its durability, making it a very versatile fabric choice.
4. Any other tips for choosing a fabric?
For durability and stain resistance, look for the word "Performance" in your fabric selections. The great thing about performance fabrics, is they come in many types, from linens to velvets. Test the fabric's performance by getting a sample and pouring a bit of water on it. If the fabric produces beads of water on top, or the water rolls off without absorbing, you have high-performing fabric. If it soaks right in, the fabric will likely need to be treated quickly in the event of spills or stains.
The type of fabric you choose for your sofa and other household furniture will have a long lasting impact on the overall look and feel of your home. Always consider your lifestyle, the location, and the use of the fabric before taking the plunge. No matter what type of fabric you choose, just be sure to understand the pros and cons of each option in order to make an informed decision. From biodegradable fibers to performance fabrics, there are options that can meet all kinds of needs when it comes to durability, comfort and maintenance. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the abundance of choices, we would love to help! We design so you don’t have to - Let us help create a comfortable space that makes coming home easier than ever. If you found this article interesting or helpful leave us a comment below, share with friends & family and subscribe for more content like this. Thanks for reading!
Disclaimer: The DVS editorial team may highlight a curated selection of product recommendations for your consideration; clicking a link to the retailer that sells the product may earn us a small commission.