5 Factors to Consider When Choosing Fabric for Upholstery

08 Jul.,2024

 

5 Factors to Consider When Choosing Fabric for Upholstery

Choosing the right fabric for upholstery is a crucial aspect of any interior design project. The material you choose can significantly impact the aesthetics, comfort, and longevity of your furniture.

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In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the five key factors you should consider when selecting upholstery fabric.

 

1. Durability: The Lifeline of Your Furniture

When it comes to furniture fabric, durability is a crucial consideration. After all, the most beautiful fabric for covering sofas or chair fabrics won't be of much use if they wear out within a few years! The durability of upholstery fabrics is determined by several factors, including:

  • The fabric's thread count
  • Weave tightness
  • The material itself

High-quality upholstery textiles are designed to withstand the rigours of daily use without showing signs of wear and tear. They resist snagging, pilling, and fraying, ensuring that your furniture continues to look its best for years to come.

Choosing Durable Fabrics

When selecting fabric for seat covers or sofa fabrics, consider the piece's intended use. For instance, a seldom-used accent chair can be upholstered with a less durable, more decorative fabric, whereas a frequently used sofa would benefit from a more robust and hard-wearing sofa upholstery material.

 

2. Style: Reflecting Your Personal Aesthetic

The furniture fabric you choose plays a significant role in defining the style of your room. Whether you're drawn to modern geometric patterns, classic florals, or solid colours, the fabric for upholstery can serve as a key element in your overall design scheme.

Selecting Stylish Upholstery Fabrics

When choosing upholstery fabrics, consider the existing decor and colour scheme of your room. The fabric upholstery should complement other elements in the space, creating a cohesive and harmonious look.

 

3. Colour: Setting the Mood and Tone

Colour is a powerful design element that can set the mood and tone for the entire room. The upholstery fabrics' colour you choose can influence the space's perceived size, temperature, and mood. For instance, lighter colours can make a room feel larger and brighter, while darker furniture material can create a warm, cosy feel.

Choosing the Right Colour

When selecting the colour of your fabric for upholstery, consider the room's lighting, the colour of your walls, and the other furniture pieces in the room. The colour should enhance the overall aesthetic of the space and align with your personal style and preferences.

 

4. Comfort: The Feel of Your Furniture

Comfort is an essential factor when it comes to furniture fabric. The texture of the fabric for covering sofas or chair fabrics should feel good to the touch and invite you to sit, relax, and enjoy.

Selecting Comfortable Fabrics

When choosing fabric for upholstery, consider the tactile experience it will provide. Some fabrics, like silk, are smooth and cool to the touch, while others, like velvet, are soft and warm.

 

5. Care and Maintenance: Keeping Your Upholstery Looking Its Best

Some upholstery textiles require more care and maintenance than others. If you have children or pets, you might want to opt for fabric upholstery that is stain-resistant and easy to clean.

The last thing you want is to be constantly worrying about spills and stains on your beautiful furniture fabric.

Choosing Low-Maintenance Fabrics

When selecting fabric for upholstery, consider your lifestyle and the amount of time you're willing to spend on maintenance. Some upholstery fabrics have protective finishes that resist stains and fading, making them a great choice for busy households. Additionally, it's essential to consider the ease of cleaning and washing when selecting your upholstery fabric to ensure that your furniture remains in top condition for years to come

 

Conclusion

Choosing the right fabric for upholstery is a complex process that involves considering various factors, including durability, style, colour, comfort, and care requirements. 

Measuring the fabric needed for your upholstery project can be a crucial step. If you're looking for a detailed guide on how to measure the right amount of fabric for reupholstering a sofa, you can find valuable insights in this informative article on how to measure how much fabric is needed to reupholster a sofa.

Remember, the fabric upholstery you choose is a reflection of your personal style and lifestyle. So, take your time, consider these factors, and make a choice that you'll be happy with for years to come.

 

Shop Upholstery Fabric at I Want Fabric

At I Want Fabric, we offer a wide range of upholstery fabrics and sofa fabrics in the UK to suit every style and budget. Whether you're looking for fabric for curtains or sofa upholstery material, we've got you covered.

Browse our upholstery fabric range today to find the perfect fabric for your next project!

 

How to Pick a Fabric Pattern for Upholstery

Shopping for fabric can be an overwhelming task. Even if you already know the color scheme you want, deciding on a pattern can be the trickiest part.

If you&#;ve decided to reupholster a piece or furniture, the last thing you want is to waste time and money choosing a pattern that doesn&#;t work.

Today I&#;m going to walk you through my thought process of how to pick the best fabric pattern for upholstery. Notice I didn&#;t say &#;fabric&#;, just the pattern. (I&#;l have a post on fabric type coming soon.)

A FURNITURE MAKEOVER STORY
The star of this post is my latest DIY upholstery project&#;a bench plucked from flea market obscurity that landed in my living room.

You might have seen my post on Instagram the day I discovered this diamond in the rough&#;There she was just sitting there forlorn and disheveled. Her previous owner had painted her maroon and then dressed her in a cheap oatmeal colored canvas.

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She was NOT living up to her full potential.

I spotted her down the aisle of that musty smelling flea market, and our eyes met. She seemed to call out, &#;Rescue me. Please. I&#;m better than this.&#;

And I knew she was.

I had big plans for her. I dusted her off and swung her over my shoulder. (Well, actually Stu did that part.)

I took her home and let her hang out in the living room for a bit until I finalized my plans.


THE MAKEOVER PLAN
1. Paint Job: 
I knew she would get a coat of gold spray paint. Those curves just deserved to get a metallic finish.


2. Fabric:
I had my heart set on a black and white fabric. I tend to change up accent colors often, but black and white is forever and ever my favorite color (or lack of color) combo.


3. Pattern??
The question I had to answer was what pattern. Walking into the fabric store I knew that I was only looking for black and white fabric, so this helped me narrow it down&#;to only 2,038 choices. No joke.

I decided to pull any fabric that jumped out at me, which totaled 11. I narrowed it down to the top 5 fabrics and bought samples to live with for a couple days. Here&#;s the final five&#;

WHY THE RUNNERS UP DID NOT WORK:

1. Bold & Modern:
I love this fabric. It&#;s bold and unique and has almost a &#;s vibe about it. The problem is that it too closely imitated the lines of the metal arms of the bench. I felt instead of complementing the shape of the bench, it would instead compete with it. No beuno.

2. Global Herringbone:
I sent out a little poll this weekend on Instagram, and most everyone picked this one. (Sorry guys.) While I love this print, I actually think it makes a better throw pillow than bench fabric. Ultimately I felt like the pattern didn&#;t work with the fabrics already in the room. It seemed to be the a bit too casual for the formal living room.

3. Geometric Cheetah:
I&#;ve never really been an animal print fan, but something about this pattern was so intriguing. I could tell that a more organic pattern like this would look nice on the bench. I was getting closer, but it wasn&#;t quite right&#;

4. Classic Stripe:
Honestly I originally thought this stripe would win in the end. It&#;s my pattern of choice. To wear, to decorate with, anything. Love a good stripe, and black and white is the best kind. But the longer I sat with that fabric sample, I felt like it was just a little too predictable for me&#;I was in the mood to experiment. The stripe was a safe bet, but not a pattern that excited me.


WHY THE &#;TINY CHEETAH&#; WAS MY BEST BET&#;
Quite frankly by itself, this fabric was not my favorite. On the bench however I could see it&#;s beauty. Here&#;s why&#;

1. The delicate pattern matched the feminine feeling of the metal work and the gold color I would be using.

2. The tiny cheetah print adds a bit of texture that the runner up fabrics just didn&#;t have.

3. The small scale print is nice as it doesn&#;t compete with other patterns I already have in the room like my rug and black and white throw pillows.

4. This just felt fun. I&#;ve never used animal print in my house, so this was a risk that paid off in the end.


This little bench has a new lease on life. Not only is she pretty, but a certain two year old has taken quite the liking to her. This window happens to be the best spot for spotting squirrels, a daily activity in our house accompanied by lots of squeals and giggles.

IF YOU&#;RE STRUGGLING TO PICK A PATTERN

1. Consider the other patterns already in the room. You want a nice variety of sizes and shapes.

2. Take into account the shape of the furniture itself. The pattern should complement, but not compete with it.

3. Ask yourself what you hope this pattern will achieve in the space:
-Add texture? (Opt for a small scale pattern.)
&#;Add a bold shot of color? (Maybe a bright solid is a good choice.)
-Add drama? (Go for a large scale pattern.)
-Add whimsy? (Choose something with a circular, organic pattern.)
-Add formality? (Pick a classic pattern like a stripe, herringbone, houndstooth, or plaid.)

4. The size and price of the piece should dictate your risk on picking a pattern.
Small piece? You can take risks outside your comfort zone and even choose a bold color or pattern you might not have considered before. Try out a trendy pattern you&#;ve had your eye on. If you don&#;t love it in a couple years, you won&#;t have wasted to much.

Large piece? This is the time to make sure you will be ok to live with this fabric for a while. The investment of fabric and the reupholstery deserves a more conservative approach.

5. Take advantage of shopping for upholstery fabrics online and browse through thousands of available patterns and types of fabrics. You will also find a fabric calculator and upholstery tips to help you make the right decision. 

Ok, let&#;s hear it for the bench&#;Isn&#;t she a superstar?

 

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