Upholstery fabrics are an important addition to interior design, transforming ordinary furniture into extraordinary pieces. From the softness of velvet to the timeless elegance of linen, the right fabric can completely change the ambiance of a room. Join us as we dive into the world of upholstery fabrics, exploring their unique characteristics, various types and how to choose the perfect fabric for your requirements. Whether you’re re-decorating your living room or simply adding a touch of luxury to your bedroom, this guide will help you make informed decisions and create furniture that truly reflects your style. Shop fabrics suitable for upholstery here.

What are Upholstery Fabrics?

An upholstery fabric is a specialised textile designed to cover furniture such as sofas, chairs, ottomans and headboards. Built to last, these fabrics are made to provide comfort and often feature more durable qualities than standard textiles. Each upholstery fabric undergoes a rigorous rub test, a standardised method used to measure the abrasion resistance of the fabric. It is then assigned a Martindale rating – the higher the score, the greater the fabric’s durability and resistance to wear and tear. Upholstery fabrics with a high rating are suitable for high-traffic areas like living rooms and family rooms, whilst lower scores are better suited to decorative purposes or areas with infrequent use such as formal living rooms and guest bedrooms.

Upholstery fabrics come in a wide range of colours, patterns, textures and weights, allowing you to personalise your space. They can also be produced from natural and breathable fibres such as cotton, linen and wool to more durable synthetics such as polyester or tough and timeless materials such as leather. Tightly woven fabrics tend to be more durable than loosely woven ones. Cotton fabrics may also be a more cost effective option compared to high-end upholstery fabrics such as leather and wool.

Some upholstery fabrics are treated with stain and water resistant finishes to protect against spills and stains and enhance durability. Furthermore, some may be inherently flame retardant, whilst others can be FR treated, depending on local regulations and intended use.

Prestigious Textiles Haworth Malham Fabric

Key Considerations When Choosing an Upholstery Fabric

Choosing the right upholstery fabric can significantly impact the look, feel and lifespan of your furniture. With a myriad of options available, it’s worth considering the below factors to help pinpoint the perfect fabric for your requirements:

Durability: If you reside in a busy household and have pets or children, you may wish to consider a more durable upholstery fabric. Performance ranges with resistance to wear and stains are a great choice, designed to withstand the wear and tear of daily life. Options with fade resistance are also good to consider so furniture can retain its colour when exposed to sunlight.
Comfort: Comfort is an important factor if you wish to upholster a sofa, chair or seat. Consider soft, cosy fabrics for an inviting feel that appeals to the senses. Smooth and silky fabrics such as velvet work well, as do textured linen / cotton plains and thick, tactile weaves such as boucle. A heavier fabric can also feel more substantial and luxurious.
Style: Think about the look you want to achieve. If you’d like to create the perfect coordinate to your existing scheme, consider a plain fabric in a complementing tone for an understated, cohesive look that will not detract from other elements of the room. If you’d prefer to create a statement accent piece, consider a bold pattern or print in contrasting colours to draw the eye.
Maintenance: Some fabrics require more maintenance than others, so it’s important to choose one that fits your lifestyle. Fabrics made from polyester or leather can be easier to clean compared to traditional velvet, cotton and linen textiles.

Our Collections

We are delighted to offer a wide range of upholstery fabrics that are available to purchase by the metre. Discover beautiful plains and patterns across stylish colour palettes from Romo, Designers Guild, Prestigious Textiles, Ian Mankin, Clarke & Clarke, Sanderson, Harlequin, iLiv, Warwick and many more. If you’re local to our shop in Brockenhurst, we also offer a local re-upholstery service. Please email sales@thehomeofinteriors.co.uk , call 01590 615775 or pop into store for more details.

Plains

Plain upholstery fabrics offer a versatile and timeless option for furniture and home decor. They can create a minimalist, sophisticated look or serve as a neutral backdrop for patterned accents.

For a beautiful plain, consider the Oslo or bestselling Saxon fabric by Prestigious Textiles. Available in over 50 colours, these polycotton fabrics have a generous martindale score of 100,000+ and come with a wide width option. The Prestigious Textiles Haworth collection is another great choice, featuring highly durable, inherently FR weaves suitable for upholstery in domestic and contract settings. If you’re drawn to the natural linen look, the Ian Mankin Granular and Designers Guild Brera Lino fabrics are some superb pure linen options or go for the Romo Linara, Ian Mankin Perth and Newbury weaves for a stunning linen blend option.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for an opulent plain enriched with texture, you may wish to consider one of our sumptuous velvet or boucle fabrics suitable for upholstery applications. We particularly love the Harlequin Performance Velvet and Performance Boucle fabrics. With a high abrasion rating and contemporary colour palette, these robust upholstery fabrics feature a carbon zero water and stain-resistant finish, suitable for busy interiors and are the perfect way to bring depth and tactility to any scheme. Learn more here.

Other indulgent velvets include Designers Guild Velluto, Sanderson’s Boho velvet and Warwick’s Plush Velvet, a hardwearing option with EasyClean properties which helps to repel liquids. Clarke & Clarke’s Riva and iLiv’s Hemsby fabric are also excellent eco upholstery options made entirely from recycled polyester. For a cosy boucle quality, consider the Prestigious Textiles Fergus fabric or Andes and Everest from the Warwick Boucle collection, available across neutral and earthy palettes. The refined, semi-recycled Designers Guild Cadenza boucle and multi-tonal, chunky iLiv Solar fabric are also designed for the busy modern home with their stain-resistant and easy clean properties.

Patterns

Patterned upholstery fabrics add visual interest and personality to furniture and interiors. Choose from a wide variety of designs from florals, checks and stripes to contemporary geometrics and more. These fabrics can be used to create a focal point in a room or to blend seamlessly with the overall decor.

For a subtle look, you could consider a beautiful design from the Romo Zolani collection. Living between plain and pattern, this sumptuous range of chunky weaves features some beautifully subtle semi plains in rich chenille and boucle textures. We particularly love the Okeyo fabric, adorning a gorgeous chevron design in alluring natural tones.

The Clarke & Clarke Trelica fabric from the stunning Evora collection is another beautiful choice for upholstery. Equally, you could consider a versatile stripe or check design for style and sophistication. The Clarke & Clarke Burlington collection offers some superb, inherently FR fabrics with a woollen feel, suitable for domestic and contract upholstery applications, whilst the Ian Mankin range features an abundance of checks and stripes for timeless appeal.

If you’d prefer a more decorative aesthetic, the refined Romo Arturo fabrics work well or go for a bolder design from the Clarke & Clarke Soren collection of weaves. Alternatively, opt for a gorgeous upholstery design from the iconic Sanderson One Sixty range for a confident scheme enriched with classic charm, heritage and floral nostalgia, or consider the luxurious Morris & Co. Wardle Velvets for a striking statement.

For an indulgent take on a more contemporary style, consider the Harlequin Reflect Velvets or Studio G Illusion collections for a beautiful selection of robust, spot and geometric upholstery velvets. The Clarke & Clarke Urban collection is another great choice with printed and cut velvets offset by a stunning rustic palette. Bold geometrics and interlocking zigzags sit alongside abstract prints to create a modern look with a retro twist.

Overview

Upholstery fabrics are the perfect way to enhance your interior scheme. Whether you choose something bold or paired back and understated, the right upholstery fabric will create beautiful furniture that you can enjoy for years to come.

If you would like any help, advice or fabric samples sending out, please do get in touch. We also stock a range of fabric books in our showroom in Brockenhurst, should you wish to browse our collection. If you would like any help pulling a full room solution together, we do offer a bespoke design service and can provide fabric, design and paint colour advice to help you create a home you love. We can also make up your perfect window dressings with our bespoke, made to measure curtain and roman blind making service.

Email sales@thehomeofinteriors.co.uk or call us on 01590 615775.

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