Are you planning to buy new furniture or re-upholster an existing one that needs an update? Whatever you choose to do, fabric selection should be given highest priority. The choice you make can determine the comfort you can enjoy and how durable your newly upholstered furniture will be. This isn’t as straightforward of a task as it may seem, though. With many fabric options available for upholstery, the choices can be overwhelming. It is easy to be enthralled by the beautiful prints and colors but you need to move past that if you want upholstery that can last.

Use this guide so you can make the right upholstery decision, even if you are not an upholstery fabric expert.

Natural Fabric for Upholstery

The following are examples of natural fabrics that can be used for upholstering your furniture:

• Cotton – Cotton is a popular choice of fabric for bedding use. But it is also used for furniture upholstery and is among the most common options available for natural fabrics. This type of fabric is soft and durable. It is susceptible to wrinkling and can stain easily, which is one of the reasons why it isn’t used as often despite its beneficial properties. It is not common to find 100% cotton upholstery these days as most are blended with other types of fabric. The best cotton blend for upholstery fabric should be made up of up to 60% cotton.
• Linen – Linen is another natural fabric option for upholstery of furniture. This fabric is made with flax and is a strong natural fiber. It has a soft and smooth feel to it with some texture when touched. Linen does not pile or get soiled easily, but it is very prone to wrinkling. The use of linen upholstery is best reserved for more casual spaces.
• Leather – Leather is one of the best types of natural fabric to be used for upholstery application. It is made from animal hide and is very durable while also being a breeze to clean. You can find a wide range of leather grades in the market and your choice will determine its strength and quality. If you want leather upholstery that can last for many years, choose the top grade ones.
• Wool – Wool is derived from animal hair and is a popular choice of upholstery fabric during winter. Not only is it durable, but the fabric is also wear-resistant. The only downside to choosing wool upholstery fabric is that it is difficult to clean.

Synthetic Fabric for Upholstery

The following are options for synthetic fabric for upholstery application:

• Velvet – Velvet is a luxurious choice of fabric for upholstery use. There are different types of velvets in the market, depending on which other fabrics are blended with it. But polyester velvet is the most common. It is known for its luxurious texture, comfort, and the rich color options.
• Sunbrella – Sunbrella is a type of acrylic fabric and is also made by the brand of the same name. It was manufactured primarily for outdoor furniture use. This type of fabric is durable enough to withstand the outdoor elements and stay durable for many years.
• Polyester – This is another high-performance synthetic fabric that was first manufactured in the 1950s. Polyester alone is rarely used for upholstery so it is typically blended with other types of fabric, such as wool or cotton. Polyester blends for upholstery can resist fading and wrinkling. It is also very easy to clean.

As listed above, there are two main categories to choose from when choosing upholstery fabric: natural and synthetic. You can weigh in on your choices based on the information above and the types of fabric listed for your guidance.