How to choose the right Upholstery Fabric

Today, I will be sharing on “Picking the Right Upholstery Fabric” for your furniture and interior furnishings.

Custom Upholstery, whether you are sourcing yourself or consulting with a professional, allows you to create a unique piece perfectly suited for your space. We have several options for upholstery fabric to choose from at Lisa Interiors but it is important for you to know how to choose the right one for your specific style.

After you identify the item you want to upholster, consider questions like;

• How durable do you need the fabric to be?

• Do you need to be able to quickly and easily clean up spills and stains?

• Will the fabric be more of a decorative piece?

Answering these questions will help you narrow your search. Some of the common and popular upholstery fabrics are basket weave, faux suede, faux leather, velvet, duck/canvas, jacquard, and chenille. These fabrics come in a variety of weights, colors, and treatments to ensure that you get the perfect fabric you need for your project. If you are planning to upholstery something that will experience everyday wear and tear, durability is important to consider. Upholstery fabric durability is determined by how it rates on the manufacturer-administered “double rub” test which is a back and forth movement that mimics the wear and tear of someone sitting on a seat over time. The higher the number of double rubs (for example, a hundred thousand versus ten thousand), the better indicator and durability of the fabric.

In addition to double rubs, look for upholstery fabrics treated for a performance like stain, water, or UV resistance. For upholstery fabrics that will not be used every day like decorative or heirloom pieces, performance characteristics might not be as important which opens up a wider variety including silk, wool, linen, cotton duck, embellished fabrics and more.

When choosing colors for upholstery fabrics, consider lighter, solid colors to create an airy, inviting mood in your space. Darker colors are much better for hiding dirt and wear, or you can always select a bright color or fun pattern to make a statement in your space.

I hope this guide to upholstery fabric help point you in the right direction for your textile selections. If you found this helpful, be sure to comment below to let us know what you will like to learn next!

Happy Choosing!