If you are looking to purchase new furniture or if you are thinking about having a piece reupholstered, you will need to decide upon a fabric type for the furniture.  And, if you have never shopped for furniture fabric before, you need to know that this involves a great deal more than simply choosing a color or pattern.  In actuality, the possibilities for furniture fabrics may just astound you.

Natural versus Synthetic Fabrics

Furniture can be upholstered in both natural and synthetic fabrics.  Natural fabrics are regarded as eco-friendly and are currently used frequently by interior decorators.  The types of natural furniture fabrics include:

• Cotton
• Cotton Blend
• Leather
• Linen
• Silk
• Wool

Synthetic fabrics are man-made.  They are manufactured to mimic natural fabrics; however, they contain no natural fibers.  They are ideal for people who have allergies.  Synthetic furniture fabrics include:

• Acetate
• Acrylic
• Microfiber
• Nylon
• Olefin
• Polyester
• Rayon
• Vinyl

Choosing a Furniture Fabric

Each type of fabric has specific characteristics and features making it sensible for use in certain situations.  It can be difficult for the average consumer to know exactly which fabric type to choose for which purpose, however.  So, here are four basic issues to consider when selecting a furniture fabric:

Style: It is important to keep the particular furniture piece in mind when choosing fabric.  In addition, the style of the room and home in which the furniture will be placed should be considered.  For instance, a traditional wood-framed couch likely wouldn’t look quite right if it were upholstered in a silk fabric.  Likewise, a chair being placed in a child’s room would look out-of-place if its fabric was formal linen.

Durability: When deciding on furniture fabric it is essential to think about the type of wear and tear that the piece will receive.  Furniture that will be in heavy traffic areas must be upholstered in hard-wearing fabrics that offer good stain resistance.

Thread Count: This refers to how tightly woven the fabric is—and, the higher the thread count, the better the fabric will last to daily wear and tear.  The actual number refers to the number of threads per square inch of fabric.

Color: This is probably the biggest reason why people select certain furniture fabrics; however, some fabrics may not be the best options for people who have pets or young children.  The color should be chosen after the particular fabric has been chosen.

A salesperson at a furniture store or fabric store will be able to describe which fabric types will work best in various furniture situations.  Don’t hesitate to ask questions about which furniture fabric types are recommended for people with children, or for people who have pets, or for formal living rooms, for example.  Salespeople simply want to sell the item (furniture or upholstery fabric); therefore, it is in their best interest to answer any and all questions completely and openly.  Be honest with the salesperson, and she will be able to direct you toward the best furniture fabric.

Photo Credits: (nutmeg)

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Handy Man, Project, furniture

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acetate, actuality, cotton blend, fabric style, fabric type, furniture fabric, furniture fabrics, furniture piece, heavy traffic, interior decorators, linen, natural fabrics, natural fibers, natural furniture, new furniture, rayon, silk fabric, synthetic fabrics, traffic areas, wear and tear