12 Best upholstery options for a sofa: review of rating materials, selection criteria when purchasing + Reviews

Svetlana Shevtsova 04/30/2020

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To choose the best upholstery for a sofa, you need to determine its future functionality and intensity of use. If you are going to use the furniture as a sleeping place, the load will be heavy, so you will need a simple and durable fabric. For a decorative soft corner that stands in the living room, you can find more expensive material, although more fragile. The upholstery should be combined with the design of the room, in harmony with the rest of the textiles in the interior. The sofa most often plays a central role in the living room, so designers try to match its color and texture to the wall decoration, curtain style, and flooring design.

What qualities should upholstery meet?

Combining contrasting colors and different prints looks impressive

Some fabrics are easier to clean or wash, others are more durable, others look more luxurious or noble. Price also matters, because modern upholstered furniture is not cheap .

Most importantly, remember that the best fabric for a sofa is one that is safe for health, especially if the furniture is intended for a children's room.

Catalog of textiles for upholstered furniture

Furniture textiles are produced using special technology. Fabrics are different: with an unequal ratio of natural and artificial threads, with increased or standard strength characteristics, woven and non-woven, with or without synthetic fibers. All indicators are displayed in the technical document of the material and are indicated in a compressed form on the label.

Let's consider the parameters by which the material is evaluated:

1. Resistance to wear of pile, rubbing of threads. This parameter determines whether the seats on the upholstery will become thinner, and whether they will then contrast with the back or armrests
2. Color fastness . Good fabric does not fade over time and does not fade under the influence of UV rays
3. Stability . The material should compress freely and immediately expand. Slight elasticity is welcomed for increased wear resistance
4. Peelability . An unclear word means resistance to pile rolling and pellet formation.
5. Availability of special impregnation. Most often, the fabric is treated with water-repellent compounds, as well as means to increase its strength.
6. Fire resistance. There are impregnations that make raw materials slightly flammable. This is an important indicator from a fire safety point of view.
7. Environmental friendliness . The highest rates are for natural materials. This upholstery is hypoallergenic
8. Air permeability . Fabric that interferes with air circulation quickly becomes unusable. Over time it cracks and tears

Ecovelor

Eco-velor covering

This upholstery material has an impressive margin of strength, as well as high resistance to abrasion and deformation. During manufacturing, this fabric is repeatedly impregnated with water-repellent compounds. Cleaning is very simple. The material is made from natural raw materials

The upholstery material is very pleasant and soft to the touch; in addition, it does not fade or stretch. The maximum washing temperature for this material is 30 degrees; it is also permissible to use a brush with soft bristles for dry cleaning. It is not recommended to use chemically active components for cleaning ecovelor.

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How to choose the right fabric

The glossy surface combines beautifully with the ornate oriental pattern

When choosing a “soft friend” for the living room or bedroom, you need to evaluate not only its visual appeal, comfortable shape and ergonomics. The basis of its beauty and comfort is the textile component. Evaluate the material according to the following criteria:

1. Durability . Here it is worth considering whether to choose natural fabric, but fragile, or artificial, but strong
2. Origin of the pile. Textiles of animal origin include, for example, pure wool. Plant representatives include cotton, linen, and silk.
3. Moisture resistance and hygroscopicity. The first will not allow the liquid to be absorbed, and the second eliminates the possibility that the surface will become damp in conditions of high humidity.
4. Anti-vandal coating. Some fabrics are treated with a special solution, which greatly extends its service life
5. Tactile sensations are no less important. It’s much more pleasant to rest on soft and smooth hair than on rough and itchy hair.
6. Decorativeness . There are matte and glossy materials, plain and colored, with different prints and applications. Find an option that suits your apartment and creates a harmonious interior in the same style

Types of upholstery fabric

Exterior fabric option

All furniture materials are conventionally divided into several types:

1. The thinnest and least wear-resistant. This includes cotton, tapestry, corduroy, suede, lightweight flock, chenille
2. Fabrics from the first group, but more dense and durable
3. Materials with relief finishing and voluminous texture
4. Heavy fabric with high density: thick tapestry and chenille, printed faux suede
5. Textiles with natural and environmentally friendly composition. A small percentage of synthetics may be added
6. Leatherettes
7. Inexpensive real leather
8. Noble and expensive genuine leather.

Please note that in the case of sofa upholstery, naturalness and environmental friendliness do not always mean quality and comfort. Such materials rarely have good performance characteristics; they quickly become unusable. The best option would be to choose combination formulations, where the advantages of natural origin are harmoniously combined with the strengths of artificial and synthetic compounds.

Natural materials

Genuine Leather

Let's consider the most popular upholstery materials made from environmentally friendly raw materials. These fabrics are the safest for health; they will not harm either allergy sufferers or people suffering from bronchopulmonary diseases. Natural textiles breathe, absorb moisture from the air, and reduce static electricity.

Cotton

Cotton cover is soft and tactilely pleasant

Cotton A popular textile made from plant fibers of the cotton plant. This matter is one of the most common in the world, known since ancient times. It is used in almost all industries.

The advantages of cotton are its hygroscopicity and breathability. The matter is harmless and safe. It lends itself well to dyeing, so there are dozens of colors and prints.

Many people like the low price. The approximate service life with average wear will be no more than 5 years. Buy a sofa with cotton upholstery only if it is coated with a special anti-wear compound.

In addition to its short service life, an important disadvantage of cotton is flammability. It ignites very quickly and smokes heavily. Good upholstery fabric must be treated with fire-resistant impregnation.

Jacquard

Jacquard fabric has a relief texture

Jacquard Jacquard fabric is created by complex weaving, which simultaneously involves more than 24 intertwining threads. This allows you to create exquisite and ornate designs, unusual patterns, and intricate ornaments. The texture of such matter is very dense and embossed.

It is incorrect to call the fabric jacquard, as it is more of a weaving method. Therefore, both natural and artificial threads can participate in it. For furniture textiles, cotton, linen, wool or silk fibers are often used, combining them with synthetics.

Polyester makes the material strong, strong and durable. It does not fade in the sun and is highly breathable. Jacquard is treated with dust-repellent compounds, which makes it easier to clean.

Among the disadvantages, we note the high price, difficulty in care (the fabric does not like wet washing), and it is also slippery and cool to the touch.

Tapestry

The tapestry looks expensive and solid

Tapestry A textile fabric created by weaving many colored threads and simultaneously folding them into a pattern. The material turns out to be heavy, dense, two or three layers. The art of creating tapestries is the oldest applied craft, known since the times of the Egyptian pharaohs.

This upholstery has a very long service life and looks rich and expensive. Like jacquard, it contains a small percentage of synthetic fibers to improve physical properties. The disadvantage is the tendency to abrasion and fading in direct sunlight.

Silk

Fragile silk helps create a sophisticated atmosphere

Silk Smooth natural silk is used to decorate antique furniture or sofas in the artsy baroque style. The canvas is famous for its hypoallergenic and antistatic qualities. And it also looks chic, expensive, elegant.

Unfortunately, silk is very fragile and is not suitable for furniture that is used every day. The material is cool to the touch, this nuance is also considered a disadvantage.

Leather

Ideal for a study or office

leather is the most expensive and noble way to decorate your sofa. Such furniture is placed in living rooms, offices, and official rooms. Leather gives it a spectacular appearance, creates an atmosphere of prosperity, and makes a solid impression.

It can be matte, rough, glossy. There are many colors, options with a combination of shades. Gold or silver embossing, logos, and fabric stitching look good on the leather.

PROS:

• Durability (with proper care)
• Easy to clean (just wipe with a soapy cloth)
• Luxurious view
• Waterproof (within reasonable limits)

MINUSES:

• Price
• Flammability
• The surface of the material sticks to bare skin
• The coating is easy to scratch
• Will crack over time

Tips for choosing

What is the best fabric to use for upholstery? It is possible to choose different types of materials, but certain criteria are taken into account:

• ease of cleansing;
• resistance to moisture, ultraviolet radiation, abrasion and other exposure factors;
• long service life;
• attractiveness;
• matching the color and texture to a specific interior style.

With the right choice of upholstery, it ensures an attractive and bright piece of furniture. It will fit well into the existing style and will also suit the tastes of the users.

Artificial fabrics

Faux suede

Such textiles are created by chemical processing of natural raw materials. Although this upholstery cannot be called environmentally friendly, it is durable and will last for decades.

Arpatek

Good leatherette is difficult to distinguish from real leather

Arpatek In another way, this material is called eco-leather or leatherette. It is dense and difficult to tear or damage. Expensive samples cannot be distinguished from natural coatings.

Eco-leather is easy to wash, it does not lose color saturation. The latter is represented by a huge palette, from natural to delicate pastels or violent acidic ones. A significant disadvantage is the long-term appearance of microcracks in places of regular tension.

Scotchgard

Popular budget upholstered furniture

Scotchgard An inexpensive imitation of jacquard, but with a large percentage of artificial threads in the base. But this upholstery can be washed with soapy water. It is very strong, reliable, and stains are easily removed from it.

Over time, the color fades and wears off, but this happens at least 10-15 years after purchasing a new sofa.

Flock

Flock option

Flock Externally, the material resembles velvet - it is soft and pleasant to the touch with a small pile. It is produced using a non-woven method, by gluing fibers to a base.

PROS:

• Strength and resistance to tearing, scratching, abrasion;
• Pet fur, hair, threads do not stick to the canvas;
• Moisture resistant and easy to clean;
• There are practically no pellets formed on the surface;
• Color fastness

MINUSES:

• high abrasion
• ability to absorb and absorb odors

Velours

Externally, the velor fabric resembles a velvet covering

Velor It looks like velvet, allows air to pass through well, and has excellent stretch. But the fabric is difficult to care for, it is difficult to remove stains from it, and it wears out quickly.

Artificial fur

Faux fur in furniture finishing

Faux fur These are materials that imitate natural animal skins. Contains cotton and artificial fibers. They look impressive, last a long time, and are pleasant to the touch.

They may cause an allergic reaction and should not be cleaned with chemicals. Over time, the texture becomes thinner.

Chenille

Chenille

Chenille A combination of natural and artificial fibers, with a pleasant shallow pile. Retains its original appearance for a very long time. Manufacturers are not afraid to indicate a period of 50 years as a warranty period!

PROS:

• Durability
• Wear resistance
• Hypoallergenic
• Elasticity
• Color fastness

MINUSES:

• Expensive

Synthetic compounds

Forest

Synthetic compounds Synthetic upholstery contains acrylic, nylon, nylon or polyester. Thanks to them, such materials are the most resistant to environmental influences, do not fade, do not deform, and look like new for a long time.

1. Microfiber . Does not fade, is not afraid of UV rays, super durable and moisture resistant material. Doesn't like temperature changes
2. Forest . Textiles are resistant to temperature, mechanical damage, dust and moisture-repellent, easy to clean
3. Courtesan . The best option for the kitchen, although expensive. Does not absorb dirt, easy to clean, durable, durable

Velours

Velor sofa

This soft covering on the sofa will appeal to buyers who want to create a warm and cozy atmosphere in their home. Furniture upholstered with this material is perfect for a romantic meeting with your significant other, a friendly meeting or leisure time with children.

This material is made from natural raw materials, which include cotton and wool. It has a rather nice appearance, the color range of the material is quite extensive, and it is very warm and pleasant to the touch. The upholstery material has a high margin of strength, due to which it does not deform under the influence of the mass of people sitting on the sofa. It also allows air to pass through perfectly.

The velor coating can be treated with a vacuum cleaner; to remove more complex stains, you can use washing powder.

Important to remember! When choosing upholstery material, it is important to remember that the sofa is a piece of furniture, and therefore must fit well into it.

This upholstery material must be treated with great care. It is better to protect it from coffee, sauce or juice stains. The fact is that such contaminants are almost impossible to remove with your own hands, especially after some time.

Another disadvantage of this material for sofa upholstery is its short service life. The fabric wears out quite quickly, and after some time, fibers begin to fall out of the velor, which is why its appearance is lost. This upholstery material has the following characteristics:

• environmental friendliness - the fabric is made from natural raw materials;
• excellent thermal conductivity - the material is quite warm;
• strength - such upholstery will not sag;
• softness;
• good ventilation;
• rather short service life due to poor abrasion resistance.

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Which furniture fabric to choose for different rooms

A copy for a children's room

The intensity of its future use depends on the location of the sofa.

• For a children's room you need to buy a product with a natural and environmentally friendly coating: linen, cotton, flock, jacquard. Artificial chenille is popular, as it adequately withstands children's activity and curiosity. The fabric must be water-repellent, washable, not absorb odors, and retain color saturation
• The sofa for the living room should be combined with its style. Usually expensive and spectacular furniture is placed here. Upholstery made of jacquard, tapestry, velor, real leather is suitable
• The kitchen seating area should be upholstered in washable fabric that is easy to clean. It should not be afraid of humidity and strongly absorb odors. Fireproof and anti-vandal impregnation are required
• In a room where the sofa is used as a sleeping place, choose durable materials that do not wear out under intense use. The flock will last a long time, but it is rough to the touch

No cozy living room is complete without a seating area

The upholstery of the sofa is of great importance. They pay no less attention to it than to its size and shape. It can give furniture a solid look, or, conversely, reduce the cost of furnishings.

A soft corner is the central place in any apartment. This is an area where all family members gather together in front of the TV or a board game. Choose the material carefully to extend the life of the “clothes” for your “soft friend” for many years.

Watch a funny video, the authors of which experimentally try to choose the best upholstery for upholstered furniture:

To choose a good sofa, evaluate the frame and filling

• Frame.

Today, several types of frames are used in the manufacture of sofas. For the most part, wood, wooden beams with chipboard and metal are used for their production. The service life of the sofa, the strength of the product, its weight and cost largely depend on the type of frame.

Four out of five modern apartments have a classic design style. In this regard, most buyers prefer to purchase sofas with wooden frames, which are suitable for almost any room design.

As for the type of wood used in the manufacture of sofas, it can be very different.

When choosing a really good sofa, pay special attention to the fastenings of the frame. If the elements are connected using bolts rather than screws (which tend to loosen over time), then the reliability of the structure is beyond doubt. There are also elements that are attached to each other using glue. And here the quality of work also needs to be checked.

Just a few years ago, metal sofa frames were not as common as they are now. It was mainly used to make chairs. But times have changed, many began to prefer modern furniture of an extraordinary look, and demand, as we know, creates supply. Today, metal frames are actively used for the production of high-tech products.

When choosing a frame, pay attention to the connections of the parts. Those made by welding are much more reliable than those that are held on by bolts. And the service life of such frames is longer.

• Filler.

Foam rubber and spring blocks are in greatest demand today. A good sofa should have different density coefficients in different areas. In addition, the back of the sofa, its seat and armrests should have different rigidity. Good sofas are distinguished by the maximum density of the seat filler, because it is this part of the product that wears out the fastest.

In the cheapest models, the filling usually consists of pieces of ordinary foam rubber, since it costs manufacturers very little. But, as you know, the miser pays twice. And if you choose any cheap sofa model, literally in a year the foam inside will wrinkle, the sofa will lose its attractive appearance and sitting on it will become much less comfortable.

Choosing a good sofa made of foam rubber is almost impossible. But if you still decide to give preference to this option, try to find a model made from a single piece of this material. Although in this case the product is unlikely to serve you for more than four years. As a result, the foam rubber will still lose its original shape, after which the appearance of the sofa can be described as deplorable.

Recently, polyurethane has been increasingly used to make sofas. This material costs almost the same as foam rubber, but it can retain its elasticity much longer.

If you want to choose a really good sofa, make sure that latex is used as a filler - a very elastic, strong and durable material.

It’s even better if the filler is multi-layered. For example, many models have two layers of filler: the bottom is harder, and the top is softer, made of the same polyurethane. This makes the sofas very comfortable to relax on.

In general, good furniture should have an additional coating of synthetic fibers, for example, padding polyester or holofiber. This makes the sofa really comfortable. Holofiber, by the way, is more preferable in this regard, due to its ability to quickly restore its shape after prolonged deformation. In addition, the wear-resistant coating extends the life of the sofa, allowing it to look almost new for quite a long time. But you will have to pay much more for such furniture.

Spring sofas are good because they are very beneficial for the spine. The load on it during sleep or rest is reduced to a minimum. But such sofas are also not cheap, and besides, the price here directly depends on the number of springs. On the other hand, cheap models with springs may be of very low quality and therefore will quickly break. In this case, they will have to be repaired or completely thrown out. To avoid this situation, it is best to purchase a sofa without spring inserts, but with a polyurethane or latex base.