Your Guide to the Best Sofa Fabrics
For beginners and experienced designers.
If you've ever been in the market for a new sofa, then you know it can get confusing looking at the various types of furniture fabric. To simplify the process, we put together this quick guide to the best sofa fabrics. Keep reading below for all the need-to-know info about leather sofas, fabric sofas, and performance fabrics.
Leather Sofas
One of the best sofa fabrics you can choose is genuine or faux leather. Both types of leather sofas are gorgeous and made to last. A leather sofa's versatility also creates plenty of options for mixing and matching with patterned throw blankets and pillows. Curious about genuine leather and faux leather? Read on.
Genuine Leather
Genuine leather is super durable and stain-resistant. Leather upholstered sofas wear beautifully over time and become softer as they age. While a genuine leather sofa is more expensive than other sofas, it can last up to four times longer because of its durability. A genuine leather sofa also resists allergens, making it a great choice if anyone in your home has allergies. To clean a genuine leather sofa, blot any stains with a damp cloth or paper towel, then rub the stain in a circular motion using mild dish soap and hot water.
If you gravitate toward a warmer, fabric-based sofa, you're in luck. We've rounded up the best fabrics for sofas below.
Cotton & Cotton Blend
Cotton is a gorgeous natural fiber that comes in thousands of colors and patterns and is super cost-efficient. Cotton has a very tight weave, so an upholstered cotton sofa can last for years. It also will not fade in direct sunlight, making it a great choice for sunny living rooms. The downside is that cotton can stain easily. If you spill something on a cotton sofa, sprinkle it with baking soda. Let the baking soda sit for 20–30 minutes, and then rub the powder into the fabric with a dry cloth. Vacuum away any remaining residue.
Linen & Linen Blend
Linen is another lightweight, natural-fiber fabric. It is super durable, antistatic, and hypoallergenic. This couch fabric is also about 30% stronger than cotton and it gets softer over time. It does wrinkle easily, and some stylists will recommend only placing linen sofas and furniture in rooms without a lot of kid traffic. Use a water-based detergent or baking soda to clean linen furniture. Dab at the stains (don't soak the sofa), and then let the spot dry before vacuuming it.
Polyester & Polyester Blend
Polyester sofas look similar to leather sofas. Polyester is a synthetic material (like microfiber), making it stain- and fade-resistant. It can withstand abrasions and stains, and it is one of the least expensive fabric choices. Polyester can crack or stretch over time, so be sure to treat it with proper care. Vacuum up any crumbs, and use a solution made from one teaspoon of laundry detergent, one teaspoon of white vinegar, and one quart of water to clean stains.
Velvet
Velvet sofas are one of those unexpected, statement-making upholstery fabrics that looks great in a transitional aesthetic. Its sheen makes it look multidimensional, and its softness makes it feel warm. Velvet can last for years and it does not pill. If you rotate the cushions and fluff the pillows often, your velvet sofa will stay plump and wrinkle-free. The downside to velvet is that it can pick up a lot of pet hair.
Chenille
Chenille sofas look similar to velvet sofas, but the fabric's loops are closed (as opposed to velvet’s open nap). This means that chenille upholstery is just as soft and cushy as velvet, but it's chunkier and more durable in the long run. Be careful if your pets love jumping up on the sofa, because their paws can get tangled in the fabric loops, making it not a very pet-friendly fabric. To clean chenille, brush it with an upholstery brush and spot-clean with water and a light-colored rag.
When you think of performance fabrics, outdoor sofas and chairs might come to mind. Performance fabrics, like Sunbrella, are the most durable fabrics of any sofa. Performance fabrics are tested to withstand at least 40,000 rubs, meaning this sofa will be in your life for a long time. Performance fabrics are also resistant to stains, abrasions, and fading. These fabrics are by far the easiest fabric to clean; all you have to do is wipe it down with a damp cloth. You can even use a bleach-based solution on performance sofas – they're that sturdy! If you've been dreaming of a white sofa, a white performance-fabric sofa could make your dream a reality.
Ready to spice up your living room?
