Upholstery is one of the most important aspects of any living room, sitting area, or bedroom. Feeling comfortable in your home is central to effective design. A welcoming sofa, ottoman, headboard, or bench will elevate a room instantly and turn a house into a home.

There is a lot to consider when choosing the fabric of your upholstery. The fabric should be aesthetically pleasing, have the right feel and texture, and provide appropriate function. These are our top 5 tips for choosing the best upholstery fabric.

Consider the item’s size and function

What the item is, how big it is, how often it will be used, and who it will be used by will affect which fabric is best. Are you looking to upholster a large sofa as the centerpiece of your living room? Living room upholstery will be used more often than a beautiful custom-made bench for the hallway. Different fabrics will wear quicker than others. Therefore, consider how often the sofa will be used. It’s critical to reflect on the function of the finished piece. A highly durable fabric is ideal for commonly used items. Try looking at tightly woven fabrics, microfiber blends, or smooth cotton.

Similarly, if it’s a piece that children will often use or where food will be eaten, you’ll want to consider a fabric that is easy to clean or hides stains well. If it’s a large piece or set, like a set of sofas, arm chairs and ottomans, consider your budget and the extensive amount of fabric needed to cover such items.

Know the style of the room

Knowing the current or expected style of the room, helps inform which fabric to choose. Decide whether the item/s will be a statement piece. If so, be sure to explore fun patterns and bold colors! You might want a neutral piece as a base for statement items (such as throw-pillows). If this your goal, explore various fabric textures for more neutral items. Check out velvet, chenille, suede, corduroy, or silk fabrics for a textured look. Additionally, monochromatic or subtle patterns can provide texture without busyness, such as a sophisticated chevron pattern or subtle ogee fabric. If you want a plain fabric, you can also consider tufting the fabric or piece for additional texture!

Understand fabric

For most people, fabric is just fabric. But for a designer, there is a lot to consider with fabric types. The most important thing to remember is that any fabric used for upholstery should be fire-resistant. This is a basic safety precaution. Most upholstery fabric stores will only sell fabrics that have already been treated with a fire-retardent, but always double check.

The next thing to consider is thread count. In general, a higher thread count provide a degree of durability and a feeling of luxury. Higher thread count can withstand greater wear and tear and often be softer to the touch. Additionally, whether you opt for a natural fabric, synthetic, or a blend will affect its durability and price. Synthetic fabrics tend to be less expensive. More luxurious fabrics might require a professional cleaning at some point. For example, real suede doesn’t react well to moisture, and getting a wet stain out of a sofa may not be an easy venture. Additionally, a beautiful velvet, made using natural fibers, could collect dust and pet-hair easily. This makes is a lot less suitable for anyone with allergies.

Darker fabrics can also fade or distort when exposed to direct sunlight. Therefore, the location of the piece along with fade-resistant fabrics are another important things to keep in mind. When visiting a fabric store, don’t be afraid to ask these questions. You want your upholstery to last, and if you’re spending a lot of money, no question isn’t worth asking!

Play with testers

If you’ve followed Kelley Astore for a while, you’ll know that we are BIG fans of testers. There is nothing like holding the fabric up to the other colors and textures in the room to inform your decisions. The best stores will always allow you to purchase or take home some fabric squares to test. Spend time with the samples. Notice how the fabric feels against your skin. Examine under natural and artificial light to understand how it will look throughout the day. Compare it to other swatches. Hold it up to the walls, the floors, and other items in the room to see how your upholstery will actually look.

This is the best way to choose upholstery fabric. Nothing will inform your decision better than experiencing the fabric before it becomes a more permanent part of the room.

Work with an expert

These tips are sure to help you make an informed decision about your upholstery. However, upholstering is no easy task. It can quickly turn into an overwhelming project, if you don’t have the experience. A professional designer knows the sources, prices, and quality of the materials and products that you will need to incorporate into your design. They will guide you and make sure your needs and budget are thoughtfully addressed. Ultimately, working with a professional will save you huge amounts of time and money.

At Kelley Astore Interiors, we have worked with the best upholsterers in the DMV area for many years. This long standing relationship allows us to produce pieces with amazing quality while adhering to deadlines and budget requirements. Head to our services page to see what we can do for you!