Upholstery fabric for sofas. Choosing upholstery for furniture: categories and types of fabrics. What is better to choose

Choosing upholstery material for the sofa, armchairs and chairs

Most buyers perceive furniture upholstery as decorative element, matching it to the living room interior, forgetting about practicality. “Oh, what beautiful roses!” - says the customer and pays the money, without thinking that after a week these most beautiful roses will become a victim of the claws of a cat or dog, and the light upholstery will forever remain stained with cherry juice accidentally spilled by children. The properties of the upholstery material ultimately affect how long the sofa or chair will last: how easy it will be to clean, how well the upholstery material resists moisture and dirt, how resistant it is to fading and abrasion - it is advisable to clarify all these questions before you take out your wallet.

Types of upholstery fabric

A few technical details: two types of fabrics are used for furniture upholstery - covering and upholstery. Covering cloth covers springs and other structural elements frame of the sofa, the inside of covers is sewn from it and upholstered with it internal surfaces sofas and armchairs. Usually this is thick burlap or thick cotton fabric. Upholstery fabric is what is used for external upholstery, the very beauty and practicality that we will talk about. Let's start in order, with the most popular materials.

1. Jacquard

This is the most common upholstery material upholstered furniture. Jacquard fabric consists of a mixture of cotton and synthetic fibers. It is very dense and holds its shape well. Jacquard fabrics are distinguished by a woven relief pattern, most often floral or ornamental. Jacquard manufacturing technology allows you to create designs with high detail. The cost of jacquard varies depending on the composition and thickness of the threads. It is not difficult to care for jacquard upholstery: minor dirt is washed off with a soap solution, dust is removed with a vacuum cleaner. For strong stains- not too aggressive substances for dry cleaning upholstered furniture.

2. Scotchgard

This is the same jacquard that is treated with a special water-repellent compound. Impregnation protects the material not only from moisture, but also from dirt, fading, and even from the claws of pets: Scotch guard belongs to the category of anti-vandal fabrics. It is as dense as jacquard and is perfect for all types of furniture. Scotch guard is especially good for frameless fabric furniture.

3. Thermal jacquard

Relatively new material, which is an ordinary undyed jacquard with a pattern applied to it. The image is applied using the thermal printing method: the paint penetrates deeply into the fibers, adheres well, does not fade or fade. The remaining characteristics are the same as those of ordinary jacquard: durable, dense and practical material.

4. Tapestry

And this is also jacquard, or rather, one of its varieties. Tapestry is woven from thicker fibers, most often 100% cotton or with a slight addition of synthetics. The weave of threads in a tapestry is particularly tight, and almost always the tapestry has a complex pattern reminiscent of a painting. The fabric holds its shape well, but due to the high content of natural fibers it may fade a little over time. Tapestry is good for upholstering small sofas, couches, chaises. A large sofa covered with tapestry may look too tacky.

5. Matting

Thanks to the checkerboard weave of the threads, the matting is very similar in structure to ordinary burlap. Basically, matting is woven from natural materials: linen, cotton, silk, wool, but for strength, acrylic or polyester threads are added to the fabric. The matting is durable, textured and multi-colored. It is easy to care for: minor stains can be removed with conventional upholstery cleaning products (but never use bleach). A vacuum cleaner does a great job of removing dust. But the matting is not very friendly with domestic animals: their claws, even accidentally, cling well to large weaving and pull out the threads. By the way, the author of this article has both a sofa covered with matting and a cat at home. And the sofa is still intact.

6. Chenille

A mixed fabric consisting of cotton and synthetic threads that are woven in a special way: the threads are first twisted and then intertwined longitudinally and transversely. The material is very durable and dense. The peculiarity of chenille is that one of the synthetic threads is “shaggy”, and as a result the fabric gets a short pile. Thanks to its hairiness, chenille can be placed in the same category as velor and flock, next on our list, but chenille is much cheaper than its shaggy counterparts.

7. Velor

A fleecy fabric, which is obtained by a complex interweaving of several threads - warp and pile. The qualities and properties of velor depend on the density of the weave: velor can be either dense or “loose”. The material is soft to the touch, non-toxic and safe. Velor is suitable as upholstery for a living room sofa if there are no small children or pets in the house: it is highly susceptible to abrasion and gets dirty easily. But if you still choose velor upholstery, be prepared for the fact that after 3 to 5 years you will have to change it.

8. Flock

Flock is a fabric with a pile, which is considered one of the varieties of velor. But the flock manufacturing technology is completely different. It's more synthetic material with a cotton to polyester ratio of 1:3. On a thin fabric base with adhesive layer under the influence of an electrostatic field, small nylon fibers are applied. Thanks to electrostatics, the pile falls onto the base strictly vertically. The result is a soft, pleasant-to-touch fabric with perfectly even and thick pile. Flock is durable, waterproof, repels dirt, and is easy to clean. It, like Scotchgrad, belongs to the category of “anti-claw” fabrics - the claws of pets cannot damage it.

9. Corduroy

Another fleecy fabric with characteristic scars. Depending on the width of the scar between the fleece strips, microvelvet, corduroy with a wide or medium scar are distinguished. Corduroy can be either 100% cotton or with the addition of synthetics (elastane or polyester). The fabric is capricious and requires careful care: it cannot be rubbed, wrinkled or squeezed too much. Dirty spots should only be removed with mild stain removers for natural fabrics. But the capriciousness of corduroy is more than justified by its beauty. The service life of corduroy upholstery is about 5-7 years. Corduroy becomes very “bald” in areas of constant contact.

10. Faux suede

Faux suede is a mix of polyester and cotton. Often this union is treated with Teflon liquid, which significantly increases strength and wear resistance. Artificial suede has many advantages: it is difficult to distinguish it from the real thing, it is not afraid of scratches and creases, it does not fade, does not fade, and does not wear out. There is nothing to say about the aesthetic side.

There are also disadvantages: it is not suitable for apartments and houses where small children or animals live; it still requires careful handling. Wet cleaning is contraindicated for artificial suede. Dry gentle clean only.

11. Faux fur

The structure of artificial fur resembles natural animal skin: it consists of a base (soil) and pile. The pile itself, in turn, is made from nylon, viscose or wool fibers, and to create a higher quality material, several types of threads with similar characteristics are used.

Faux fur is an affordable, environmentally friendly and easy-to-care material with a wide variety of colors. It can also be decorated with drawings, geometric patterns, other fabrics and even rhinestones. Cons: fragility and rapid pollution synthetic fibers that actively attract dust.

12. Genuine leather

Luxury upholstery material. In furniture production, pigskin is used to make upholstery, and less commonly, goatskin or horsehide. There are two types of processing of this material: aniline method and semi-aniline (or complex). Aniline leather is soft and looks very beautiful, but at the same time it is very capricious: it is afraid of moisture, dirt and mechanical damage. Complexly processed leather is not as attractive, but it is tougher, thicker, stronger and better able to withstand all impacts. The service life of leather is practically unlimited, and depends only on how well you take care of it. A special plus is that aged skin does not look worse. On the contrary, over time it acquires a special charm.

13. Faux leather

This is a fabric coated with an elastic film with a leather-like texture and pattern. Natural or synthetic fabrics, fabrics with an elastic base. Artificial leather holds its shape perfectly and has water-repellent and dirt-repellent properties. It is not very difficult to care for it: it can be washed with soapy water or products that do not contain too aggressive components. Among the types of artificial leather for upholstery of upholstered furniture, arpatek, microfiber and artificial suede are used.

Arpatek. Looks presentable, very similar to genuine leather. This is a soft and elastic material. Durable and easy to care for, does not fade and is resistant to mechanical damage, including the claws of pets
Microfiber is a material that, with its characteristics and appearance, resembles natural suede. Thanks to the dense weave of the threads and the additionally applied Teflon layer, microfiber is very durable and belongs to the “anti-claw” category.

How to choose upholstery material: a short checklist

So, before you buy material for upholstery of upholstered furniture, ask yourself a few questions: Are you ready to sacrifice practicality for the sake of the beauty of the upholstery and make excessive efforts to care for it? Do you have animals at home? If yes, pay attention to materials in the “anti-claw” category: Scotchgard, flock, arpatek. Will you sleep on the new sofa every day? If so, give preference to upholstery with a high synthetic content: it is stronger. Are you buying a sofa or armchairs for the nursery? Remember that small children are best exposed to natural materials. Choose a matting or a tapestry. Will you constantly use a sofa or chair as a place to relax? If so, choose upholstery that is easy to care for.

We hope our article will help you find “that” upholstery for your sofa, armchair or chair that will appeal to all family members.

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Furniture fabrics - photos and types

You will find everything about the types of furniture fabrics: photos, names, characteristics on our website. We will answer the question of what is the best fabric for furniture and how to choose it. All upholstery material experiences enormous loads every day. If you approach the upholstery irresponsibly, the furniture fabric will soon fray, fade or even tear. Therefore, density, wear resistance, breaking load, breathability and color fastness are the main criteria when choosing a material.

Furniture fabrics - names and functions

Today we will talk about popular fabrics for furniture with examples, photos, their features, as well as the characteristics of a particular material for upholstery of upholstered furniture. In the photo and in stores you can see a huge selection of materials for furniture. You can buy a ready-made sofa with the color you like, or order a specific design of upholstered furniture from the store, but with a different upholstery. Upholstery material is rich in variety, and some have completely opposite qualities and properties.

Types of furniture fabric and their characteristics are varied:

Flock is a non-woven fabric that is a kind of velvet substitute. It is not easily soiled, it is soft, good quality and looks great in any setting.
. Pile material. Strength is achieved by intertwining the pile thread with two warp threads.
Leather is expensive, so it is often replaced with an artificial analogue. This upholstery looks interesting in offices or living rooms, giving the room a discreet look.
. Natural materials for upholstered furniture are rich and an interesting way to decorate. It is distinguished by the strength of the base, but the fibers are quickly removed, leaving a feeling of “bald patches” on the surface.
- an ancient and widespread type of upholstery. This type of upholstery has a clearly defined, tangible pattern. It has good wear resistance and a huge palette of colors.
, which breathes and is not electrified, which makes it stand out from other comrades. It is as durable as jacquard and tapestry.

For a room where children live, it is simply necessary to use natural furniture materials. Linen and flock will do. This upholstery can be washed with a sponge, and this is not an unimportant factor for a place where children constantly play and sleep.

For a common room, hall and living room, furniture fabric of special strength is required, because all family members and their guests sit on it every day. Artificial suede, beech, microfiber, matting are suitable for this.

If the upholstered furniture was purchased as sleeping area, it is important that it contains a minimum of synthetic fibers. Chenille, velor, tapestry, jacquard are suitable.

It is difficult to figure out which furniture fabric is better, but depending on the room and frequency of use of the piece of furniture, you can make the right decision.

Extend the life of furniture with proper care

Contamination is often caused by accident - coffee was spilled, berry juice dripped, or the dog got in with dirty paws. After such troubles, you need to clean the entire sofa, or small area. A few tips will make this process easier:

Regular cleaning with a vacuum cleaner will prolong the fresh look;
the upholstery should not be wetted too much, because it does not dry well;
with strong brushing, some furniture fabrics pill and lose their appearance;
You should especially pay attention to the seams and places where buttons are attached, because this is where the main dirt accumulates;
A weak soap solution copes well with dirt;
tea and coffee stains are removed with a vinegar solution;
Stains are removed from the skin with a damp cloth.

A short video with tips on what upholstery to choose if you have a cat at home:

No matter how high-quality the upholstery of a sofa is, over time it becomes unusable. Weak points are the armrests, the fabric on which wears out, seats that sag under weight, the location of seams that unravel from tension, etc.

The easiest option for updating upholstered furniture is to call a reupholstery specialist to your home, who will replace the upholstery material and filling for a small amount. However, you can do everything yourself, given that the reupholstery process is simple.

Covering materials

To sheathe old sofa new fabric, you should choose the most suitable option both in terms of beauty and style, and in terms of durability and functionality. Several types of materials are used for upholstery:

Scotchgard (furniture cotton) is a durable, lightweight and pleasant-to-touch material, made using exclusively natural fibers. This upholstery is considered universal due to its high resistance to moisture and dirt. The material is easy to clean and retains its original color for a long time.

Microvelour and velor are soft, silky fabric that is made by mixing synthetic and natural fibers. This gives the canvas strength while maintaining environmental friendliness. This fabric for upholstering a sofa is used in offices, living rooms, bedrooms or dressing rooms. Its use in the kitchen or children's rooms is not recommended. It gets dirty quickly and wears out quickly.
Jacquard is one of the most durable and beautiful upholstery materials. It obtained its characteristics thanks to the original interweaving of threads in several layers, laid tightly to each other. The fabric does not fade in the sun, does not lose its shape, and is easy to clean. Patterns on the canvas are formed in the process of weaving fibers, which makes them voluminous and the fabric itself expensive.
Thermal jacquard is a new fabric that is produced by applying thermal paper to an undyed classic jacquard fabric and then heating it. As a result of such manipulations, the dye penetrates into the fibers and is securely fixed. The material has everything positive characteristics simple jacquard, but costs much less.
Chennyl is made from synthetic and semi-synthetic threads, twisted in a spiral using both longitudinal and transverse weaving. The fabric is pleasant to the touch, has a fleecy surface, is environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic. The material quickly absorbs moisture and does not like wet cleaning, so it cannot be used in rooms with high humidity.

Flock is a fabric made of satin, cotton or polyester, onto which fine artificial pile is glued. The material is light and pleasant to the touch, resistant to stains and does not absorb moisture. It is represented by a large number of color and patterned varieties, and there is also an “anti-claw”. It implies complete protection from any type of mechanical damage, including from animals.
Leather (eco-leather) is durable and practical. It is easy to clean, does not absorb moisture and odors, and is non-toxic. Natural material, whatever it may be, is able to withstand changes in temperature and humidity and does not deteriorate in direct sunlight. Eco-leather or leatherette does not have such characteristics.
Faux suede is beautiful and durable, but requires only a dry cleaning method. It can be woven or non-woven. The first type is more durable, the second costs much less.
Corduroy is made from various materials, weaving them in such a way that the fabric becomes fleecy over the entire surface or with stripes different thicknesses. The material is designed in one color and requires careful care.
Arpatek is another material that looks like leather. It began to be widely used as upholstery material for upholstered furniture. The coating consists of 25% cotton, 33% polyurethane and 42% viscose, thanks to which it retains heat, does not harden when cooled, is resistant to ultraviolet radiation and moisture, and is completely safe.

How to correctly calculate fabric for covers

The first step when upholstering a sofa with your own hands is to calculate how many meters of fabric you need to purchase. For a standard piece of furniture you will need 8 square meters. m of material. If the product has an angular design or is made to individual sizes, you will have to arm yourself with a tape measure and start taking measurements.

The simplest method of performing measurements is implemented as follows:

First, the width and length of the sofa are determined.
Then the resulting values are multiplied by two, then it becomes clear what the dimensions of the required canvas should be.

You can independently measure the dimensions of the cladding fabric using the following method:

Using a tape measure or tailor's yardstick, all elements of the sofa are measured.
All components of the upholstery are schematically drawn on a sheet of paper with minimal waste and dimensions indicated.
All data is summarized. Reserves for seams and cuts are taken into account.
Based on the numbers obtained, the amount of fabric that will be needed to cover the sofa is determined.

Step-by-step instruction

To reupholster a sofa at home, you need to have basic knowledge of carpentry and sewing, but special difficulties can arise only sometimes:

Unusual design of furniture and difficulty in disassembling it.
Availability of complex parts geometric shape with the absence of old upholstery, which does not allow it to be used as a pattern.
The sofa is old. In addition to updating the upholstery and filling, it is necessary to replace or repair some frame parts.
Desire to use genuine leather as upholstery.
If a piece of furniture has antique value, DIY restoration and upholstery work can be harmful.

In other cases, the process of how to properly replace upholstery material can be divided into preparing fabric, tools and consumables, marking and cutting blanks with subsequent sewing them into a single product, replacing the filler and securing the covering.

Tools

Before upholstering a sofa with new fabric, you need to make sure that all the necessary tools are present in the house:

pliers, pliers, a set of simple and hex keys;
anti-stapler and stapler with staples;
hammer, small furniture nails;
set of screwdrivers, self-tapping screws;
furniture glue;
tailor's meter or tape measure;
stationery knife, scissors;
needle, thread;
pencil, marker or chalk.

Laying foam rubber

Often, after the worn upholstery has been removed, it becomes clear that the filling also needs to be replaced. As a rule, in sofas it is foam rubber with synthetic padding.

From the very beginning, we expose the frame, carefully removing all pieces of old filler in order to use it as a pattern. It may be necessary to detach armrests and elements with plywood that are fastened with bolts or self-tapping screws.

You can use foam rubber of the same thickness as the previous one, or a little thicker. One by one, the blanks are installed on the sofa parts and secured with construction glue. To protect the foam rubber from abrasion on the upholstery, it is covered with a layer of thin padding polyester.

On final stage all furniture elements that have a common upholstery are fastened according to the original position; with separate upholstery, parts must be left to wait their turn.

The modern textile industry produces many varieties of upholstery material, varying in composition, color, texture and consumer properties. Tastefully selected fabric for upholstery of upholstered furniture will harmoniously complement the overall design and transform the interior of the room. The service life of a chair or sofa depends on the quality of the upholstery, so when choosing material you need to pay attention to the composition, density, wear resistance, the presence of protective impregnations and other important indicators.

How does furniture upholstery differ for different rooms?

The choice of upholstery material primarily depends on the location and functional load of the furniture.

Living room.

It is impossible to imagine a cozy living room without soft chairs and a sofa. Guests are welcomed in this room, family evenings and holidays are held. Therefore, the upholstery for living room furniture should be abrasion-resistant and easy to maintain. Synthetic and artificial fabrics, for example, leather substitute, and others, have these qualities. They can easily withstand intense loads, wash well, do not absorb odors, and thanks to special impregnations, they repel dirt.

Bedroom.

In many apartments, the sofa is used as a permanent sleeping place. In this case, the requirements for furniture upholstery are completely different. You need to choose a fabric that is comfortable and pleasant to the touch, without chemical additives, environmentally friendly and containing at least 50% natural fibers. For upholstery of upholstered furniture in suitable for the bedroom and, jacquard and velor.

Kitchen.

Upholstered furniture located in the kitchen has special requirements. Upholstery fabric should be easy to wash, repel grease and dirt, not absorb odors, and not ignite. The most optimal upholstery option for the kitchen is. The coating made of this material is practical, durable and is, perhaps, only susceptible to mechanical damage. Also suitable are velor with fine pile.

Children's room.

Caring parents always try to surround their children with products made from natural materials. When choosing sofa upholstery, first of all, pay attention to its composition. Naturalness, environmental friendliness and hypoallergenicity - these are the criteria by which upholstered furniture is chosen for a child’s bedroom. Examples of such fabrics are cotton or wool.

Hall.

For pieces of furniture that are usually installed in the hall or office, the best choice is upholstery made of genuine leather, which, with its noble appearance, emphasizes the importance of the public space.

What fabric is best to choose for upholstering a sofa?

There are characteristics by which you can determine the quality of furniture fabric. Typically, manufacturers indicate the characteristics of textiles and test parameters in the product quality certificate, which you can always ask from the seller.

When choosing upholstery material, you should pay attention to the following factors.

Compound. Furniture fabrics are made from both natural and synthetic fibers. Combined materials that combine positive traits synthetics and natural threads, for example, cotton with polyester, linen with acrylic, wool with the addition of nylon.
Design. Tastefully selected upholstery material will allow upholstered furniture to fit harmoniously into general interior premises, therefore, when choosing upholstery for sofas and armchairs, you need to take into account the color and pattern of wallpaper, finishing tiles and flooring.
Density. This indicator is measured in grams per square meter and for sofa upholstery is at least 200 g/m2. The denser the material, the more wear-resistant and durable the upholstered furniture will be.
Abrasion resistance. The indicator of abrasion resistance of a material is determined using the Martindale test, which consists of the following: a piece of the test material is attached to a stationary substrate and they begin to rub it with a piece of woolen material, making movements in a figure of eight. The number of cycles completed before the fabric is damaged will indicate abrasion resistance. For furniture upholstery this figure should not be less than 20 thousand cycles.
Wear resistance. The fabric used to cover furniture must be tensile strength, not tear when stretched, and restore its shape after various deformations.
Flame resistant. Knowing the heat resistance class of the material is very important when choosing sofas for the kitchen. There are five classes, the first of which is the marking of the most fire-resistant material.
Color fastness. During use, any furniture is exposed to sunlight and moisture. If the color fastness in the passport is marked with the number 3.5, it means that the material was produced according to the required standards and the fabric will not fade in the sun or fade when washed. Although over time, any upholstery changes color a little.
Environmental friendliness. Only environmentally friendly materials with a minimum content of chemical dyes can be used for furniture. Typically, the best fabrics are awarded the European Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certification.
Breathability. How easily the fabric allows air to pass through can be determined very in a simple way. To do this, you need to apply a piece of cloth to your face and exhale quickly. If air passes through the material unhindered, you can safely buy fabric for sheathing.
Additional processing. The moisture-resistant and dirt-repellent properties of fabric can be increased using special impregnations. The most famous of them are Teflon and Scotchgard. Furniture with upholstery made from treated materials retains all its original characteristics and requires almost no maintenance.
Possibility of cleaning. Not every fabric can be cleaned with chemical reagents, so before purchasing you need to ask the seller what types of cleaning furniture made from the selected material can be subjected to.
Peelability. High-quality upholstery fabric should not be covered with pellets. The indicator of susceptibility to peeling is determined by the same Martindale test. If the material can withstand more than 500 cycles without lint formation, this will indicate that the quality is at the proper level.

Answering the question of which fabric is best to choose for upholstery is not easy. Ideally, its quality should correspond to the above indicators and characteristics.

Categories and types of furniture fabrics

Furniture fabrics are divided into several categories.

The first category combines the lightest materials: cotton, jacquard, lightweight chenille fabrics.
The second is corduroy and suede and flock, chenille.
The third category of fabrics includes any medium-density fabric.
Fabrics of the fourth and fifth categories are thick chenille or suede.

Today, along with fabrics with familiar names, new materials have appeared on the shelves of textile stores, such as chenille, flock, and arpatek. It is difficult for an unprepared buyer to grasp all this variety at once and decide which material is best to choose. Therefore, before going to the store, it is better to familiarize yourself with new products in advance.

The fabric has a mixed composition - cotton and synthetics. Translated from French chenille means "caterpillar". The synthetic threads used to make chenille have a soft fleecy surface and look very much like the body of an insect.

Chenille can have a fabric or adhesive backing. In the first case, the result is a moisture-resistant skin that wrinkles easily and quickly loses its shape. It is not recommended to be used for upholstering sofas intended for sleeping. Adhesive-based material, on the contrary, is very wear-resistant, but is afraid of moisture. Furniture made from this fabric should not be wet cleaned.

Among the advantages of chenille, one should note its high wear resistance, environmental friendliness, and low maintenance requirements. The disadvantages include the meager color scheme and lack of anti-vandal impregnation.

When buying chenille, you need to pay attention to the basis of the material, otherwise you can choose and purchase the wrong fabric.

Flock
Flock is a fabric with a cotton or blend base, onto the surface of which synthetic pile is applied. On appearance the fabric resembles velor or and differs from them mainly in the manufacturing method.
Flock has a number of advantages and almost no disadvantages, therefore it is widely in demand when sewing armchairs and sofas.
Advantages of flock fabric:
flock products retain their shape for a long time, since the fabric has a dense structure;
the material does not attract dust and does not accumulate static electricity;
health safety;
has water-repellent properties;
It does not require special care.

The quality of flock is determined by the density and thickness of the fibers.

Scotchgard
This type of fabric is obtained by covering the jacquard with a transparent film, which protects the surface from contamination and wear. Scotchgard furniture is great for intensive use and when there are animals in the house.

Arpatek
Arpatek artificial leather was conceived as a material for car interior trim. Made from cotton, viscose and polyurethane, Arpatek material is highly resistant to sunlight, tensile strength, and abrasion resistance.
Everyone chooses upholstered furniture to their own taste, guided by their own concepts of beauty and comfort. Armed with knowledge about the qualities and properties of a particular material, you can avoid mistakes when choosing and buy the only suitable furniture fabric.

Seven clothes and all without fasteners

Today we will talk about clothes for your sofa - the best upholstery materials for upholstered furniture.

What upholstery should I choose for my sofa?

For sofas in the living room usually choose upholstery from skin or fabrics with a clear pattern ( tapestry, jacquard). These materials reflect the style of the owners of the house better than others.
For a sofa in the kitchen upholstery would be good artificial leather(easy to clean, does not absorb odors).
For children's furniture We recommend not too expensive materials for upholstery - with a calm pattern, resistant to stains ( flock, chenille, artificial leather). It is important that children's furniture can be easily cleaned.
For a home where there is Pets, the material is suitable on which it is difficult to leave snags and holes. And caring for it should be easy. Example: flock. If you really want a different upholstery (for example, leather), the sofa will need to be covered with a cover.
For offices materials that are resistant to abrasion are suitable. Best - natural or artificial leather.
For areas where smoking, materials that easily absorb odors are not suitable. Well behaved in smoky rooms chenille And leather.

We will talk about these materials in our review. In addition to those mentioned, the following materials are used in the upholstery of sofas:

bouclé (fabric with bouclé thread, has uneven surface)
matting ( thick fabric, a variety of chenille)
suede
microfiber and some others.

To improve properties furniture fabrics are processed protective impregnations(Teflon, scotchguard and etc.). This processing:

increases the service life of the upholstery,
makes the surface resistant to moisture and dirt (including grease),
makes it easier to care for.

The liquid will simply roll off the sofa. The problem of stubborn stains (oil, tea, coffee, juice, etc.) will also be solved.

The difficulty is that externally the buyer will not be able to distinguish fabric with Teflon from fabric without Teflon. To avoid buying a “pig in a poke,” ask the seller for documents and certificates. The usual advice - to buy furniture in large showrooms from well-known manufacturers - is also appropriate here.

Table 1: Best upholstery for sofas

Upholstery type	Description	Nomination
Flock	Furniture fabric with velvet surface	Optimal price/quality ratio. Universal material
Chenille	Soft, slightly fluffy upholstery fabric	Best upholstery for children's furniture
Jacquard	Durable, rigid upholstery fabric with complex patterned weaves	The best upholstery for exquisite interiors
Velours	Knitted upholstery fabric with pile	The best upholstery for furniture with a cover
Tapestry	Durable upholstery material with a wide variety of patterns	The best upholstery for country style living rooms
Leather	Natural upholstery material	The best upholstery for luxury furniture, for business interiors
Artificial leather (leatherette)	Substitute for genuine leather	The best upholstery for kitchen sofas, office and children's furniture

1. The best universal upholstery for sofas is flock

Furniture flock

Sofa, upholstery - flock

Flock- the most common material for upholstery of sofas. You will find furniture with flock in different price categories (both budget and luxury options).

Flock is produced by applying nylon pile to a base under the influence of an electrostatic field (this process is called flocking). Base composition: cotton and polyester. Flock imitates other upholstery materials - in appearance it can look like velor, suede, or chenille. This effect is achieved through the use of different piles. Flock is difficult to break, so he cat claws are almost not scary. Stains are easily removed water and soap. Flock is often treated with protective impregnations.

When cleaning a flock sofa, you should not use alcohol or strong solvents (the surface will become bald).

Sofa with flock upholstery good suitable for almost any situation- for families with small children, for homes with animals, for living rooms, children's rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms. Suitable even for furniture that will stand on a loggia or veranda (it will not “stiffen” when cooled). Doesn't fit Flock is only suitable for kitchen sofas and rooms where people smoke (it easily absorbs odors). If you have a choice, it is better not to take flock for transformable furniture (it is wiped off at the joints of parts).

From reviews of sofas with flock upholstery:

“When I needed a sofa, they advised me to take it from flock. Now he is over 3 years old. What are the conclusions? No need for bedding or capes, abrasion resistant. The cat really doesn’t bother him (tried it, didn’t like it, stopped). But I don’t recommend taking pillows from flock, it’s a bit harsh.”

Advantages of flock:

lasting;
waterproof;
pleasant to the touch;
easy to clean, does not get greasy;
difficult to tear, does not cling;
resistant to temperature changes;
dust and wool stick little;
large palette of colors and patterns

Disadvantages of flock:

absorbs odors;
The surface wears off over time.

2. The best upholstery for children's furniture is chenille

Furniture chenille

Sofa, upholstery - chenille

Chenille- very practical upholstery. It feels like corduroy, but softer and more pleasant to the touch. Often used for children's furniture. Not suitable for pet owners.

From reviews of sofas upholstered in chenille:

“Our little daughter doesn’t care. She had time new sofa draw with a green felt-tip pen. Of course, I was very upset. But I wiped it with regular detergent for dishes and was pleasantly surprised - everything was washed without a trace. Conclusion: the quality of the upholstery material is good.”

Pros of chenille:

lasting;
wear-resistant;
pleasant to the touch;
does not cause allergies;
does not absorb odors;
the color is well preserved and fades little;
not subject to deformation, does not stretch.

Cons of chenille:

high price;
absorbs moisture;
Cat claw marks will be clearly visible.

3. The best upholstery for sophisticated interiors is jacquard

Furniture jacquard

Sofa, upholstery - jacquard

Very dense (even stiff) upholstery fabric with a wide variety of patterns. It does not fade in the sun, is wear-resistant, lasts a long time, so it is ideal for a sofa in the living room. Absolutely not suitable for a house where there is a cat (claws will leave puffs).

From reviews of sofas upholstered in jacquard:

“We spent a long time choosing a sofa. I wanted classics, jacquard upholstery and good quality. And then we found the Ashley Isabel Silver Leaf sofa. The color and pattern of the upholstery completely matched the photo on the website. The quality of the upholstery material is also beyond praise. The fabric is jacquard polyester, very dense, does not leave any snags or any other troubles. All pillows have zippers and, if desired, the pillowcases are easy to wash.”

Advantages of jacquard:

strength;
rigidity;
wear resistance;
resistance to sunlight (does not fade);
long service life;
pleasant to the touch;
a wide range of patterns and colors;

Disadvantages of jacquard:

sensitive to moisture;
Difficult maintenance (only dry cleaning is acceptable);
Everyone likes the slippery surface.

4. The best material for furniture with a cover is velor

Furniture velor

Sofa, upholstery - velor

Velor furniture has a beautiful velvety sheen. Looks very impressive in the living room. Wet cleaning of such furniture is acceptable. You should also regularly clean the surface with a vacuum cleaner (furniture attachment with soft bristles). The disadvantage of velor is its tendency to abrasion. This problem can be solved by covering the sofa with a special cover, from under which individual areas that are not subject to heavy load will be visible. Velor is suitable for upholstering a sofa in the living room or bedroom. It's hard to imagine a home where there are children and there are never stains or spilled tea. Therefore, a velor sofa is not suitable for families with children.

From reviews of sofas with velor upholstery:

“Yesterday we received a Cormac sofa, beige and white. Finishes: combination, white leather and beige velor. The combination is very unusual and whimsical. However, if you have a washing vacuum cleaner at home, this will be a matter of 5 minutes. The velor fabric is of normal strength, it is clear that it will not wear off into dust over time, like on Chinese chairs.”

Advantages of velor:

spectacular appearance;
soft;
pleasant to the touch;
allows air to pass through (“breathes”);
does not stretch

Disadvantages of velor:

short-lived;
very capricious, demanding care;
stains are very difficult to remove;
the pile wears out over time.

5. The best upholstery for country-style living rooms is tapestry

Furniture tapestry

Sofa, upholstery - tapestry

Tapestry- This natural material with the addition of synthetic threads. Tapestry fabric has a high cotton content (up to 100%). But naturalness also has back side. The higher the proportion of cotton in the tapestry fabric, the more the surface of the sofa will be subject to abrasion. Suitable for rooms decorated in a rustic, home style. Not suitable for families with pets (as with jacquard, it is very easy to pull threads out of the tapestry surface).

From reviews of sofas with tapestry upholstery:

"Very pleased. The tapestry sofa gave the living room a luxurious look.”

Pros of tapestry:

expensive appearance (“wealth effect”);
naturalness (high percentage of cotton);
strength;
durability;
rack to wet cleaning;
a large assortment of patterns and colors.

Disadvantages of tapestry:

the surface may wear out.

6. The best upholstery for luxury furniture is genuine leather.

Furniture leather

Sofa, upholstery - leather

The price of sofas upholstered in genuine leather is high. And not without reason. Leather sofa will serve you for a long time. This is partly why leather is chosen for office premises, for executive offices, for expensive hotels and conference rooms, for home libraries. The second reason for this choice is prestige. A leather sofa immediately denotes the high status of the owner.

Care behind a leather sofa is simple: just wipe the surface with a damp cloth. Eat special means for care leather furniture that will help you maintain the appearance of your sofa.

Remember - good leather sofa shouldn't be cheap! A low price also indicates low quality leather or paint. If you are on a limited budget, it is better to buy leatherette.

Tip: choose a leather sofa with separate pillows. If the surface does wear off and lose its appearance, you can start by simply replacing the pillows.

From reviews of sofas upholstered in genuine leather:

“I wanted to relax on pillows covered with soft leather, and not “oak” leatherette. We chose Marseille 2. The sofa is great! Ergonomics are perfect. Everything is very well thought out to ensure comfort. Fine natural leather of white-cream color is warm and very soft. It’s easy to wash!”

Advantages of genuine leather:

luxurious, expensive appearance;
natural;
durable;
durable;
moisture resistant;
easy to care for.

Disadvantages of natural leather:

high price;
afraid of fire (including cigarettes);
the range of colors is much smaller than that of woven materials;
may feel cold to the touch;
“sticks” to unprotected human skin;
may crack over time (especially if not properly cared for).

7. The best material for a kitchen sofa is artificial leather (leatherette)

Furniture artificial leather

Sofa, upholstery - artificial leather

Leatherette— perfect option for those who need a leather surface (or just really want it!), but don’t have enough money. Faux leather is great for kitchen furniture and for children's sofas, because it does not absorb odors and is easy to clean. Yes, the pattern of artificial leather is not as varied as, for example, tapestries. But if you don't love simple colors and classic interior, you can throw several on a plain sofa colored pillows- and the problem disappeared.

From reviews of sofas with faux leather upholstery:

“We gave ourselves a gift for the New Year and bought an Atlanta sofa. The material was leatherette, leather was 2 times more expensive. The cat first tried to pull his claws on the sofa, the holes from the claws remained, but they “explained” to him and he stopped. Now I wiped the sofa with a damp cloth and it’s as good as new! And if they had taken a fabric one, as they initially thought, then within a month it would have been stained. A child draws - the colors fly. Either the juice will spill, or the cat will begin to shed its fur. For us personally, this is salvation.”

Pros of artificial leather:

cheaper than genuine leather;
soft, pleasant to the touch;
moisture resistant;
very resistant to abrasion;
easy to care for;
No animals were harmed during its production.

Cons of artificial leather:

the surface is prone to scratches and may crack over time;
“sticks” to unprotected human skin;
afraid of fire.

Summary

Whatever upholstery you choose for your sofa, remember the following: general rules care They are simple, but if you follow them, even cheap upholstery will last you a long time. What can we say about the road! So:

do not place the sofa close to the heat source (radiator), do not place heaters nearby;
do not use cleaning products that are not intended for furniture (especially with bleaches);
Take care of your sofa regularly and try not to spill anything on it (even if the upholstery is stated to be waterproof).

And - have a nice rest on your new sofa!