Fabrics & Upholstery

Fabrics and upholstery are typically defined by the type used. The most common found in New Zealand are as follows:

Cotton is a popular natural fibre because of its reputation for being affordable and breathable. It's a great all-rounder and is soft to the touch.

Wool offers a wonderful feel and texture. This organic material holds its shape beautifully on furniture.

Like other natural fibres, linen has a lower stain resistance. It's a fantastic option for printing graphics on antique items and drapery.

Silk is robust, pleasant to the touch, and luxurious. It’s best suited to decorative pieces like cushions.

Polyester was one of the earliest synthetic materials used for weaving drapes with a jacquard pattern. It's synthetic, so easier to clean than natural fibres.

Synthetic fibre nylon is renowned for having greater abrasion resistance. Particularly good for upholstery that will be regularly used.

Olefin is a synthetic fibre that is exceptionally resilient, colourfast, and utilised in heavy-duty daily upholstery. Olefin doesn't chemically absorb stains.

There are many advantages to choosing high-quality fabrics and upholstery. For example, the fabric grade affects how well-upholstered objects wear and tear. Fabrics of superior quality typically hold up better against tiredness. Additionally, they are simpler to clean and maintain due to the sort of material they are made of. When spills occur, high-quality fabric may be readily cleaned up since it is often created with stain-resistant treatments. High-quality textiles are also resistant to scuffs and unsightly stains. High-quality options also tend to feature more unique and sophisticated designs, meaning you can find your own expression for the space you are decorating.

There are a few things to consider when looking at fabrics and upholstery for your next redecoration project. First, it’s important to consider the right type of material for the piece you have in mind. If it’s for furniture that will see a lot of regular use, then you’ll need something that can withstand a reasonable amount of wear and tear. Fabrics with tight weaves are quite good for this. The other main consideration is to do with styling. The range of options with respect to this is vast which can sometimes be overwhelming when trying to decide. It helps to think about the space as a whole on what may or may not complement this in terms of colour, pattern and design.   Colour also shapes the scheme: blue and white upholstery fabric makes furniture feel lighter, while brown upholstery fabric gives it a deeper tone. Black and white upholstery fabric can add contrast, while blue and gray upholstery fabric works with cooler colour schemes.