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What are the best fabrics for sofas?
Making your living room exactly as you imagine it is a very creative and enjoyable process. So, the choice of furniture in this room is extremely important.
Apart from the furniture, equally important is the choice of the appropriate fabric that will “dress” the sofa and its cushions, the throws or even the chairs of the dining room, etc.
But what are the best fabrics for sofas (and for other types of furniture as well)?
If the above question is constantly running around in your mind, you are in the right place. That’s because in the guide below you’ll find everything you need to know about the different types of fabrics, their properties and advantages.
So, let’s take a look at the best fabrics for sofas, but also for armchairs, dining chairs, sofa cushions, etc.!
1. Chenille
Chenille is renowned for its particularly soft texture and velvety feel, which makes it ideal for a comfortable and cozy sofa.
It is a durable and dense fabric, consisting of yarns in a knitted weave that form a pile surface.
This type of fabric is delicate and requires special care during washing to avoid wear and tear.
Chenille fabric is excellent for sofas, but also for curtains.
Read more: Sofas For Small Living Rooms: Tips For The Right Choice!
2. Cotton
If you’re looking for a durable fabric for your sofa, then you should probably turn to cotton.
Cotton sofas provide comfort and a casual look, while being extremely soft and most importantly cool, which makes cotton the perfect fabric for warmer climates.
Still, cotton is breathable, hypoallergenic and quite skin-friendly, and is easy to clean, which means it’s ideal if you have pets. What’s more, it comes in a variety of colours and designs.
However, the cotton fabric wrinkles easily and can fade over time.
Read more: Which Is The Best Type Of Wood For Furniture?
3. Velvet
If you are into luxury, then velvet is the right choice for you.
Characterised by its well-known deep colour and its particularly soft texture, it is usually made from various fibres such as cotton, wool, viscose, etc.
The velvet fabric will add a touch of elegance and opulence to your living room and you can choose it if you want to make a really bold statement.
It is commonly used for dressing sofas, armchairs, throws, curtains etc.
Of course, velvet is susceptible to stains and scratches, requires regular maintenance and is harder to clean compared to other types of fabrics.
4. Velour
Velour fabric is often confused with velvet, but it is not the same.
This knit fabric is usually made from cotton or other synthetic materials, offering a soft and cuddly feel, similar to velvet.
It may not feature the degree of luxury of velvet, however it too adds a touch of opulence to your living room and is more economical.
5. Linen
Still wondering what are the best fabrics for sofas?
It makes sense, as we’re not done yet!
One of the best upholstery fabrics is linen, which is a modern trend in the field of interior design.
It is a fabric made from natural fibres and is extremely soft, cool, light and elegant, offering a casual and cozy feel to the space that can really transform your living room.
However, it does need care, as it gets stained and wrinkled more easily than other fabrics.
6. Brocade
Looking for vintage and unique upholstery fabrics?
Brocade is for you!
It is a decorative, “heavy” fabric characterized by intricate, embossed or embroidered designs, such as geometric patterns, flowers, etc.
It is a luxurious silk fabric (made mainly from silk or synthetic fibres) with a classy tone and is mainly used for “dressing” more formal places, which are less exposed to daily wear and tear.
It is therefore not recommended for households and homes with pets or children.
Its elegance and high aesthetics, however, can give a captivating look to your living room.
7. Polyester
Polyester is a synthetic material that is renowned for its great durability and stain resistance, while offering a comfortable and soft feel.
It also holds its shape well, does not “stretch” or “sag” easily, and does not wrinkle or fade easily, compared to other furniture fabrics. Still, it is quite easy to clean.
The immense durability of polyester makes it an ideal choice in case of everyday use, so it is particularly practical for ordinary households (with children, pets, etc.).
8. Microfiber
Another good answer to the question “what fabric should I put on my sofa” is microfibers.
This is a synthetic fabric with a dense weave made of either polyester or a combination of polyester and nylon.
Microfiber is highly resistant to stains and liquids, with cleaning being a breeze.
However, such fabrics, due to their soft feel and tight fibres, usually attract dust and hair, making them not the best choice for homes with pets.
9. Leather
Leather is one of the most luxurious and elegant furniture coverings.
It may be significantly more expensive than the fabrics seen above, but a leather sofa offers a high aesthetic appeal to the space and makes it look opulent.
It can complement any decorating style (although it usually suits more modern homes), and its characteristic is that it wears beautifully, with the passage of time giving it an exceptional appearance.
However, the benefits of leather are not limited to appearance alone. Leather coverings are particularly durable and easy to clean.
Of course, leather is available in a limited range of colours, so this can limit you.
What type of fabric should i use for my sofa – Factors to consider
Before we close, below we’ve compiled the most important factors to consider when choosing the right fabric for your sofa.
Let’s take a look at the most important selection criteria:
- Durability → Take into account the frequency and level of use. If you have kids or a pet, you need a really durable fabric, such as polyester or cotton.
- Comfort → Think about what texture and feel you’d like to feel. Soft fabrics – such as chenille or velvet – offer comfort and warmth and are ideal for relaxation and rest.
- Aesthetics → Velvet, leather, and brocade are considered highly aesthetic fabrics and coverings.
- Αllergies → If you or someone else in the house has allergies, then it is best to choose hypoallergenic fabrics, such as cotton, velvet, microfibres, etc.
- Cost → Polyester and microfiber are two economical fabric options, while leather is an expensive solution.
- Ease of cleaning → If you want something that is easy to clean, then you should turn to options like leather, polyester and microfibre, while velvet or linen fabric is harder to clean. In general, stainless and waterproof fabrics for sofas and other furniture have been in vogue lately, as any stains will disappear with a cloth and water.
Read more:
What are the best fabrics for sofas – Summary
So, we’ve seen the most basic types of fabrics for your sofa, armchair, sofa cushions and, in general, for your living room furniture.
With all this information at your disposal and now knowing what to look for to make the right choice, you can more easily decide what the best fabrics for sofas are.
At Alexandros Furniture you will find a huge selection of high quality handmade living rooms-sofas to make your home exactly as you imagine it!
If you are planning to furnish from scratch or renovate your home, find now in our store the best furniture in Thessaloniki and everywhere in Greece and Cyprus!
Remember that at Alexandros Furniture you have the possibility to order special furniture designs, depending on your needs and preferences, while we also offer:
- Free space assessment
- Payment in 60 installments
- Free shipping (in the extended area of Thessaloniki and in many areas in the province
