20 fabrics for sofa upholstery (+ inexpensive anti-vandal and anti-claw)

What fabric to choose for upholstering a sofa? Beautiful or durable? Pleasant to the touch or wear-resistant and low-maintenance? Does it happen that a material meets all the requirements at once and combines the properties desired by the consumer? We will try to answer all these questions in the article.

Top 3 inexpensive upholstery for sofas

An inexpensive product does not have to be of low quality. If there are no children or pets in the house, the sofa is not in the kitchen, which means you don’t have to worry too much about the safety of the upholstery. Can save on technology and choose nice material for the right price.

Cotton "Scotchgard"

The fabric seems rustic in appearance. But in fact it is being manufactured jacquard weave warp and weft (longitudinal and transverse threads). The jacquard base contains more than 24 threads, matter by definition turns out to be durable.

Scotch guard contains water- and dirt-repellent impregnation, which guarantees an excellent appearance and absence of contamination.

Boucle

Textured fabric with a knotted surface looks elegant, voluminous. The loose fabric allows air to pass through well and does not wear out for a long time. But the material does not have anti-vandal properties, the hooks remain on it pretty easy.

Anti-claw upholstery fabric

This characteristic was invented by marketers. But there is some truth in this. It will not be possible to damage the upholstery with claws if it made of pile fabrics and corduroy. The most practical in this sense are velor, flock, faux suede.

Natural fabrics for sofa upholstery

Textiles based on natural fibers look natural, beautiful, and stylish. Upholstery is used for interesting interior solutions in children's rooms, living rooms, bedrooms.

What raw materials are fabrics made from?

• cotton – furniture and decorative cotton retains the strength and brightness of colors;
• linen – high-density textured fabrics are produced from it;
• wool – warms well, drapes, wrinkles little;
• silk – leaves a feeling of smoothness and coolness, a magnificent shine.

To prevent natural fabrics from wearing out for a long time, they are made of mixed materials, that is, add a small percentage of artificial fibers.

Synthetic threads not only improve consumer properties, but also reduce the cost of rather expensive natural fabric.

Suede

For strength and beauty comparable to natural leather. But, unlike the latter, it does not give the feeling of an “office” presence. The material is soft and pleasant to the touch. AND Expensive, so not many people can afford suede upholstery.

Velvet

Beautiful pile fabric was originally made made of natural silk. Now this technique is also applied to cotton fabrics. The warp threads (four pairs) are subjected to plain or twill weave. Thick pile is cut from the fifth thread. The surface may be smooth and patterned.

Velvet upholstery is not suitable for sofas used for sleeping.

Jacquard

Elegant jacquard appearance resembles a tapestry. The basis is made of cotton, wool, linen threads. Fibers of different thicknesses intertwine to form convex patterns, relief designs. The color image looks multi-layered and voluminous.

The high cost of the fabric is due to labor-intensive production.

Tapestry

Highly decorative tapestry fabric is patterned lint-free carpet. To achieve different visual effects from their work, craftswomen use multi-colored wool, silk, gold and silver threads. The tapestries stand as works of art.

Top 7 synthetic fabrics (“anti-claw”)

High quality artificial fibers are not inferior to natural fabrics, and even surpass them in their properties. It should be noted wide range of shades, fade resistance, wear resistance, affordable cost. The disadvantages include the ability of synthetics to become electrified and attract dust.

Alcantara (artificial suede)

The finishing material is widely used for upholstery, upholstery of car seats, making capes and covers. Production technology involves processing of two-component polyester microfiber in different ways - perforating, dressing, impregnation, dyeing.

Pleasant to the touch, Alcantara has a uniform, velvety texture. At the same time, it does not become shiny over time and is easy to clean with simple household products.

Teflon flock "Courtisan"

This is the same flock, but with a protective Teflon coating. Strong and durable velvety fabric is produced using the flocking process. The raw materials are acrylic and viscose. The fiber size is variable. Pre-cut pile is applied to the adhesive surface using an electrostatic field. Flock is wonderful repels moisture and does not wear out during operation.

Chenille

Jacquard fabric with fibers in finished form resembles the body of a caterpillar. The soft, yet elastic material is ideal for upholstering sofas with complex shapes. Fabric recommended dry clean only.

Artificial fur

Manufacturers offer very interesting options for fur fabrics such as mink, lamb, and leopard. The upholstery is “rich”, voluminous, warm, but not hot. It is better to choose this design for sofas that are not intended to be transformed into a sleeping bed, since the material tends to wrinkle and is not intended for rough mechanical impact.

Technological microfiber

Made from microscopic polymer fibers - polyamide, polyester. Microfiber can be woven or knitted. Very practical and soft material is produced in a rich palette of colors.

Lightweight, highly extensible fabric, even in areas of greatest load, does not change texture over time.

Anti-vandal fabric “Verona”

Special furniture velor with the beautiful name “Verona” prevents damage to upholstery from pet claws. The fabric is a dense base with fibers securely attached to the surface, finally treated with a special compound. The material drapes perfectly.

Microfiber “Panda”

A type of microfiber with anti-claw treatment. The main advantages are a wide selection of the richest shades and resistance to snags.

Like other fabrics with adhesive pile applied, the material does not tolerate heat above 60°C.

Upholstery for sofas made of leather and leatherette

Gives a presentable look to upholstered furniture leather upholstery. Sofas and armchairs in leather “clothing” look great in living rooms, study rooms, and offices. The most expensive option is Genuine Leather. An alternative is eco-leather and leatherette.

Eco-leather for upholstered furniture

The basis of eco-leather is thick cotton fabric. The top layer is applied from polyurethane. The desired texture (pattern) is achieved using stamping and lamination procedures. High-quality eco-leather is not much different in appearance from natural leather, but is lighter and thinner.

Leatherette "Arpatek"

Environmentally friendly material has PVC film covering. Surface resistant to mechanical damage not afraid of exposure to water and chemicals, therefore the material is often chosen for furniture upholstery in medical institutions.

Genuine furniture leather

The most expensive and prestigious material in terms of physical characteristics. Furniture leather not afraid of intense loads, difficult to damage mechanically.

Representative furniture is upholstered with genuine leather and is placed in the appropriate setting.

Top 5 textured and pile types of upholstery

Textured interior fabrics are valued for interesting appearance, touch effect, pattern, which is capable of creating a natural relief or rough surface. Because of this feature, textured fabrics are usually plain.

Anti-vandal flock

Flock is the same as velor, looks soft and velvety. And just like leather, it behaves well under intensive use. Furniture manufacturers love flock because it does not leave puffs or dirt.

The material acquires anti-vandal properties thanks to special impregnation. The animal's claws glide over the surface without catching.

Soft velor

According to the design method, fleecy fabric can be smooth, shaped, embossed. At the production stage, the pile is laid in a certain direction or so that a pattern is formed on the surface. The sophisticated appearance does not interfere with practicality. The fabric has high consumer characteristics - does not fade, does not stretch, does not shine.

Velor Galaxy

The peculiarity of this line is the lack of stretchability of the fabric in all directions. The property is achieved using anti-stretch treatment. Additionally, the material becomes water-repellent.

Galaxy velor is easy to clean and suitable for furniture in public institutions, restaurants, and cafes.

Gozhka

Inexpensive, rough-looking material is obtained plain weave threads. The surface looks textured looks like burlap. But the fabric is good quality and pleasant to the touch. She often upholstered furniture in eco-style.

Water-repellent microsuede

Micro velor has a vorsin height does not exceed 1 mm. Gives water-repellent properties Teflon impregnation. Comes with a bonus protection against dirt and animal claws.

Recommendations for selection

• arrangement of furniture in the interior: for the living room choose beautiful decorative fabrics, for the sleeping sofa and in the children's room - flock, microfiber, for the kitchen - artificial leather, matting, for the office - suede, natural leather;
• family composition – if there are children and animals in the family, upholstery fabric needs to have an anti-vandal effect;
• material density – the greater the expected load on the upholstered furniture, the higher the density of the upholstery should be;
• color fastness – the most resistant in this regard are artificial and mixed fabrics, as well as jacquard fabrics;
• fabric pillability – the lower the ability to form pellets, the better; in this sense, pile fabrics and leather benefit;
• wear resistance – Jacquard, tapestry, Alcantara, and leather are considered the most durable.

Why do different sofas have the same fabric in different categories?

It depends on the raw materials, production technology, method of application and amount of impregnation, tailoring features and many other characteristics.

When choosing upholstery fabric, first of all, focus on your needs and the future operating conditions of the upholstered furniture. After all, someone is used to radically changing the situation once every 5-7 years, others care about the durability and exceptional strength of the upholstery, while others look at environmental friendliness and compliance with the overall style. We advise you to highlight the necessary characteristics, take into account visual criteria, tactile properties, strength indicators and the possibility of self-care.