COUCH MATERIALSUpdated

　　When selecting the best materials for your sofa, it is important to take into consideration each of the material's attributes and how they fit your personal requirements and lifestyle. In this guide to sofa materials, we'll discuss the types of sofa materials, fabric sofas vs. leather sofas, and the best sofa materials for pets.

　　Different materials for couchesThere are several different material options for your couch. Each different type holds its own unique characteristics, from stain and fade resistance to strength and style. A couch's fabric will affect how the couch wears over time. Researching and understanding the different options can help you in finding a piece of furniture worth your money!

　　Sofa materials made from natural fibersNatural fibers are exactly as they sound: materials naturally sourced from plants and animals. The most common natural fiber materials include:

　　Linen: While linen is a very elegant type of material, it is best used only in low-traffic areas or adult-only areas due to wrinkling and staining.

　　Wool: Wool is great at resisting staining, wrinkling, fading, and pilling. Wool can also be blended with a synthetic fiber to offer even more durability and easy spot cleaning.

　　Silk: This is a very delicate and soft material. Due to its fragility, it's best placed in a formal area, and must be professionally cleaned if dirtied.

　　Cotton: Cotton is great for withstanding wear, fading, and pilling. It is not, however, as resistant to soiling and wrinkling. If blended with other fibers, cotton can increase its durability and make for a great family-friendly fabric.

　　Leather: This material is known as one of the most durable and sophisticated materials out there. It is a favorite for people with kids and pets, as it tends to withstand the wear and tear of everyday life while also being incredibly easy to clean.

　　Sofa materials made from synthetic fibersSynthetic fibers are man-made products meant to imitate natural fibers with an overall stain resistant quality. Synthetic fibers include:

　　Polyester: Polyester is typically blended with other fibers in order to create an upholstery resistant to wrinkling, crushing, and fading.

　　Nylon: Resistant to staining, this fiber is considered one of the strongest upholstery fabrics. When added to blends, it helps to prevent this fiber from fading, crushing, and pilling.

　　Acrylic: Developed as an imitation wool, this synthetic fiber is great at resisting wear, wrinkling, soiling, and fading.

　　Olefin: Olefin is resistant to abrasions, stains, sunlight, and chemicals. This is a perfect material for furniture expected to receive heavy use.

　　Vinyl: This is a great alternative to leather, offering a cheaper alternative with comparable toughness.

　　Choosing the best materials for couchesAs important as looks are when it comes to buying a new couch, you should first consider your current lifestyle and household to help you determine whether leather vs. fabric couches are right for your home. Here are some key questions to reflect upon before making a decision:

　　Do you have young children?

　　Do you have pets? Dog? Cat? Bird?

　　How do you use your current sofa? Do you eat on it? Do you lie down on it a lot?

　　What is your personal or home style?

　　Do allergies concern you or your family?

　　How much maintenance are you prepared to do for your new couch?

　　What Is The Best Sofa Material, Leather or Fabric?When redecorating your living room, you'll be faced with many choices: glass vs. wood table, or blinds vs. curtains. When it comes to sofa materials, the biggest debate is always between fabric vs. leather. No matter your preference, both of these sofa materials have pros and cons — But which one will be worth it?

　　Fabric SofasComfortable and versatile, fabric sofas can sometimes already feel "broken in" when they arrive at your home.

　　Fabric Sofa Pros

　　Flexibility: When it comes to furniture, "fabric" is practically synonymous with "options." Want a pink, zebra-print couch for the living room? You got it! With the versatility of fabric, you can make any ordinary sofa into a unique extension of your personal style.

　　Price: Additionally, fabric couches can also be less expensive than leather ones. So you can create the perfect persona in your living room without breaking the bank.

　　Fabric Sofa Cons

　　Stains: You may find that even the cleanest of homes can attract stains, odors, and dust to your furniture, and it can be difficult to get them out of fabric once they're there.

　　Durability: Furthermore, the durability of your couch material may be of concern in households with young children and pets, as most fabric is made from either cotton or a mixture of both cotton and polyester.

　　Yet, while these are traditional concerns with fabric furniture, technological advances in performance fabrics have greatly improved the quality and durability of fabric sofas. For a more in-depth look at the various types of fabric in sofas, check out this article on the different types of sofa fabrics.

　　Leather SofasThink of the fanciest home you've ever seen, and envision the furniture within. What material is it? If you're thinking leather, you're right. Below are the pros and cons to leather sofas. For a more in-depth look at all of the types of leather that goes into leather sofas, you can also check out this guide to leather types.

　　Leather Sofa Pros

　　Natural Elegance: Leather furniture easily introduces elegance and luxury into any home, even without the mansion! If the leather is real, your new couch can feel as amazing to sit on as it is beautiful.

　　Durability: Moreover, leather is a highly durable material that can over a decade if properly cared for.

　　Fabric Sofa Cons

　　Price: But with any leather couch, there's always a price to pay — literally! Leather sofas tend to come at a higher price than fabric, in addition to the cost of maintaining the leather to prevent aging and maintain durability.

　　Temperature Control: Your comfort on the leather may vary if your house is kept at above or below-average temperatures, as the leather may reflect that temperature on you.

　　Best couches for petsSometimes there's nothing like cuddling on your sofa with a furry friend (or two). But if your sofa's fabric isn't up to the challenge, allowing cats and dogs to enjoy it can result in some seriously damaged living room furniture. Below is some information on the best sofa materials for animals:

　　LeatherAnimal lovers rejoice! Leather sofas are here to ease all of your pet stain and shedding woes. Leather sofas are extremely durable and only look better with age. Leather is also pretty odor resistant and most stains and spills can be easily wiped off with a cloth.

　　Leather can show scratches more easily, but they can usually be buffed out. If you have a cat, just make sure you keep a few scratching posts near by. Or look for a sofa made from already distressed leather. It won't show scratches as easily.

　　Synthetic fibersSynthetic fibers include olefin, acrylic, nylon, polyester and rayon, and are good choices when you need to protect against stains and cuts from your pets. Many synthetic fabrics also hold up well when exposed to sunlight and are easy to clean.

　　If you want a sofa that is affordable, easy to clean, and still stylish, go with a synthetic, like the performance suede option at Bassett Furniture. Just be sure to invest in a vacuum that comes with a pet hair attachment!

　　Patterned fabricIf you're a fan of patterns, you're in luck. Patterned fabric is perfect for hiding pet hair and stains. Just make sure to choose the color palette based on the color of your pet(s). If your pet(s) have dark fur, stick with a pattern that includes darker colors. If your pet(s) has light-colored fur, choose a light pattern like the one featured above.

　　Different Materials, One SourceWith so many different choices, it may be overwhelming to find the right fit for your home. At Bassett Furniture, we have skilled Design Consultants that can help you create custom furnishing, define your decor, help you to establish a budget, or offer their expert opinion at no cost.

　　We are here to supply you with a couch meant to not only look great in your space but to last as well. Shop online or come in-store to meet with a Bassett Design Consultant who can help you decide what’s right for you.