A guide to Fabric Upholstery
Upholstery has its place in the market, we may find hundred of new trends in the market, but upholstery never loses its place. Whether you buy a new furniture item or going for the re-upholstery for an old favorite sofa, it is an essential part of your furniture shopping. Upholstery has always been in the process of innovation. Before there were only two types of leather and fabric; under the material, there were just a few types like cotton and silk. Thanks to the technology fabrics are not just mean to be cotton or silk. You may find abundant choices to make your sofa beautiful, elegant and graceful. Even leather is not pure leather any more few changes with the help of technology have made it more useful and durable.
Fabric is available in several types; it is a blessing indeed. You may find a variety to select according to your lifestyle and decorating schemes. But it always creates lots of confusion as what to choose and what to not. Choosing a fabric for upholstery is a crucial part, and you have to pay full attention while making any selection.
Here I have gathered a brief guide of fabric upholstery to give you a better understanding and helps in your selection.
Types of fabric upholstery:
Types of fabric upholstery can be further divided into two categories, i.e., natural and synthetic fabric.
Natural Fabrics
Linen: Linen is a robust fiber used as an upholstery fabric. It is a smooth, naturally radiant and soft fabric. Linen is excellent in resisting piling and absorbs dust. It is also available in different bright colors. The only drawback it has that shine might loose with abundant use, and it gets wrinkles quickly. So it is the right fabric for casual use than formal.
Cotton: Cotton is not called the fabric of living without any reason. Cotton is an excellent and popular fabric for upholstery. It is soft, durable and resistant to fading and pilling. Cotton is sturdy, and handles wear and tear decently. It is breathable, comfortable and cozy fabric. The best part of cotton is that it is available in different grades you may buy according to your budget.
Wool: It is a natural fabric that comes from animal hairs. It is durable and comfortable; however, if it is not blended well, cleaning and maintenance can be great hectic work.
Synthetic Fabrics:
Polyester: It is a high-performance synthetic fabric, but it is used mostly used in blended forms. Polyester ensures the enhanced quality of material with which it is blended like cotton or wool. Polyester blends provide, strength, easy cleaning and resistance to wrinkling problems.
Velvet: It is a shiny blend of different materials like cotton or linen. The colors of velvet beautifully enhance the light. It isn’t easy to clean, but it stands out due to its vibrant colors, softness and comfort.
How to choose the best fabric?
Whenever you go to buy upholstery fabric, always keep these two things in mind.
Durability: Never go for something with lighter quality until you want to change again and again. Sustainability also depends on which fabric you are selecting for which item and where you may place it. For instance, a linen fabric will work great and remain durable for an extended period if you choose it for casual sitting. On the other hand, you might require constant change that particular chair or sofa was used in some formal room.
Style: Always select a fabric that goes along with your furniture and interior decoration of your home. Also, try to go for something that matches your lifestyle. A luxurious living room with cotton upholstery will present a peculiar look for the room.
Colors: Colors also play a significant role in the selection of fabric. A home full of kids can’t bear a risk of light-coloured fabric on the sofa. Neutral colors are supposed to be the safest route during fabric selection. But you can always select according to your style and décor needs.
In the end, always be clear to address any special considerations and requirements you may have while buying fabric like allergies or color resistance properties.