Upholstery Fabrics

Upholstery fabrics are used for the coverings of chairs, sofas, and other furniture.  They come in a wide range of colours, weaves, and prints, and are more robust than a drapery fabric.

There is a vast array of upholstery fabrics available, each offering different performance characteristics.  It is often difficult to evaluate how an upholstery fabric will likely perform in any given situation based solely on what it looks like.

You may be looking to recover an old sofa or buying a new armchair. Whatever the piece of furniture, you need to take into consideration how it is going to be used 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 get as much wear and tear, for example 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?  Does the chair get a lot of use by children or pets?

Let’s look at the top considerations:

Stain resistant fabrics

New technologies in fabric design now include fabrics that stand up to stains and spills. You now have 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.

Rub rating

A fabric’s durability is dependent on the quality of the yarns, dyes, wearing, and finishing techniques used during manufacturing. Upholstery fabrics are put through testing processes to determine how durable and resistant fabrics are to abrasion/rubbing. There are two main abrasion tests: Martindale Abrasion