How to choose upholstery fabric

Whether you are looking to recover an old sofa or buy a new arm chair you need to take into consideration how it is going to be used, by whom, and where it will be located in your home. High traffic areas, such as family or living rooms, will need durable fabrics, while furniture that doesn't receive much wear and tear, like a cushion cover or headboard, needn’t be as robust. The style of your home and the function of the item is also important. Is it a formal living space? Is the chair frequently used by children or pets?

• What style is the room – Modern? Traditional?
• How often is the furniture being used?
• By whom?
• Which room is the furniture or accesorry for – Childs bedroom? Living space?
• Does it need to be stain resistant?
• Does it need to be fade resistant?
• How durable does it need to be?

Advancements in fabric design have resulted in textiles which can be either inherently stain resistant or have a topical treament applied after manufacturing; both ensure peace of mind, knowing that your furniture will be looking fresh year after year. These fabrics come in a range of colours and designs and are an effective choice for families with children and pets.

Learn more about FibreGuard stain resistant fabrics.

The durability of a fabric depends on the quality of the yarn, dye-stuffs, weaving, and finishing techniques used during manufacturing. During development, fabrics are subjected to a range of tests to establish their durablity and sensitivity to abrasion and light, helping to determine if a fabric will perform as required.

Learn about textile testing practices in our article series covering Abrasion Resistance, Colourfastness, Pilling, and Seam Slippage.