What Is Upholstery and How Do You Choose the Best Fabric for Your Sofa?

The upholstery fabric for a new sofa or armchair is a big investment—you don’t want to be second-guessing it a few months after the piece arrives on your doorstep. Choose the wrong material and you’ll find yourself battling snags and stains. Make a mistake on the color or pattern, and the whole room suffers (or you’ll wind up splurging to have the piece reupholstered). So before you pick your new upholstery fabric, read on to find out what you should consider in terms of durability, comfort, and style. Here's how to zero in on a fabric choice you’ll be happy to live with for years.

What Is Upholstery, Anyway?

Upholstery is the materials—which include fabric, padding, webbing, and springs—that make up the soft coverings of chairs, sofas, and other furniture. The process began in the Middle Ages and grew in popularity during the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries. Over the years, a wide variety of materials have been used, from hay to horsehair to wool. Modern upholstered items use metal springs and foam for greater durability. While the interior materials may not be visible, they make a big difference in whether the piece is comfortable . And though fabric can always be changed—and may need to be, depending on wear and tear—choosing high-quality inner layers will help make sure the piece will last for years to come.

How to Choose the Best Upholstery Fabric for Your Sofa (or Chair, or Headboard…)

As you shop for an upholstery fabric, let your practical needs lead, advise Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams, cofounders of the home-furnishings company that shares their names. “First, consider how you live and who will use the piece,” says Bob. “This will help guide you on the type of material to choose.” You may love the look of that silk velvet, but it will quickly get destroyed in a house with kids or pets. Pieces in high-traffic areas, such as family or living rooms, will need durable fabrics, while furniture that doesn't get as much wear and tear, such as a bedroom settee or headboard, can sport any type of textile.

A big mistake people make, Bob says, is not considering how a fabric or leather may age over time. Check the label and ask questions at the showroom to find out about the material’s content and cleaning needs, then think about how much maintenance you’re prepared to do to protect your selection. “How will it look in five years?” asks Bob. “Will you still love the leather as it develops a nice patina from everyday living? Will you vacuum the upholstery fabric regularly? Will you close the drapes when away or not using a room to avoid some of the fading that naturally occurs from exposure to sunlight?”

The Best Upholstery Fabrics for Homes with Kids and Pets

“Growing up, my brother and I weren’t allowed in the living room; it was for company only,” says Mitchell. Today, though, there are plenty of upholstery materials that match good looks with durability. “For children and pets—and maybe red-wine lovers—we like the easy care of a faux suede or the durability of a Sunbrella indoor-outdoor fabric,” he says. “We’re also big fans of slipcovered upholstery. And distressed leather is great—you don’t have to worry about the occasional scuff or scratch.” If you have a busy household, stay away from delicate or textured options, like silk, which could pull and aren’t as forgiving when it comes to stains.

How to Pick a Luxurious Upholstery Material

If messy children and pets aren’t a worry, “you can really flaunt your freedom,” says Mitchell. His top decadent picks: fluffy Tibetan wool (“it feels so indulgent, but it’s not a great place to eat peanut butter crackers”) and Belgian linen. “While linen is very durable, in lighter colors it doesn’t offer the level of stain resistance that a kid-friendly household might need and may not have a crisp, wrinkle-free look after a lot of lounging,” he says. If you're worried about upkeep (or cost), you can always use these luxe fabrics on pillows, which can be swapped out once they've seen better days or a new trend comes along.

Don't Forget to Consider the Piece Itself

Take the shape of the furniture into consideration when you're choosing a fabric. (Your upholsterer will thank you.) If you’re upholstering a curvaceous piece, Bob recommends sticking to solid-colored fabrics. “Patterns or textures with a distinctive direction may not upholster well.” A pattern that looks great on a bolt of fabric may not look great once it is chopped up and put back together on your sofa, particularly if it's a tricky, ornate shape. Take the size of the furniture into account, too. “We like larger pieces, such as a sofa, in a rich solid color or classic neutral so you won’t tire of it over time,” says Bob. “Liven things up with smaller pieces—for instance, a great statement chair in a bolder shade or pattern.” Think about the other furnishings in the room as well—especially the other upholstered pieces. You'll want to make sure the colors, textures, and patterns work well together.

Try Before You Buy

“The easiest way to be sure you’ll like an upholstery material on a certain frame—and like how it feels when you sit on it—is by going with something you see in the store," says Bob. If you fall in love with a fabric that’s not shown on the floor, ask for a swatch you can drape over a furnishing to get a better idea of how it will look. If you go with a custom option, make sure you see a large swatch of any patterned fabrics so you see the full motif and its complete color palette. A little due diligence will help you avoid a big (and disappointing) surprise once the piece arrives.

Think Outside the Swatch

You're not limited to the fabrics in the store, especially if you have a great upholsterer in your Rolodex (or some serious DIY skills). Consider unconventional materials such as vintage blankets or kilim rugs. Bonus points if you pair a bold choice of fabric on a traditional piece such as a wingback chair or camelback sofa.

How to Choose a Sofa That Will Last Forever

Whatever your family calls it — sofa, settee, divan, davenport — it's a major investment. To get the best sit for your buck, follow these five steps.

1. Check the Frame

A sturdy frame means a long-lasting sofa. Soft wood, such as pine, is low-cost, but it may warp or wobble after five years. Pricier hardwood (kiln-dried oak, ash, or beech, for example) is more durable. Avoid frames made of particleboard, plastic, or metal; they may warp and crack. Legs should be part of the frame or held on with screws or dowels (pegs) — not with glue alone.

Tip: To test frame strength, lift one front corner or leg of the sofa off the floor. By the time you've raised it six inches, the other front leg should have risen too. If it's still touching the floor, the frame has too much give; it's weak.

2. Ask About Joinery

A frame with joints connected by any of the following means is solidly constructed: wooden dowels, double wooden dowels, wooden corner blocks (the tag might read corner blocks glued and screwed), or metal screws and brackets. Staples or nails may be used for extra reinforcement, but never buy a sofa that's held together solely by staples, nails, or glue.

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Tip: Ask your salesperson for written manufacturer information on frame joinery.

3. Test the Springs

Most sofas have sinuous, also called serpentine, springs — preassembled units of snaking wire. They're nicely supportive, but they can press on the frame or sag over time if the metal isn't heavy. High-end sofas often come with "eight-way hand-tied springs." They're comfy but expensive; some experts feel they're no better than serpentines. Feel the springs through the upholstery — they should be close together and firm. Sofas with no springs, just webbing or mesh, are uncomfortable and flimsy.

Tip: Sit down firmly on a corner or outside edge of a sofa you're considering. Squeaks and creaks suggest that springs are incorrectly placed or hitting the frame.

4. Feel Your Fillings

Polyurethane foam is a low-cost, easy-care cushion filling. But the more durable, high-density type can feel hard, and softer, low-density foam deteriorates more rapidly with constant use. High-resilient (HR) foam is slightly more expensive but more comfortable and long-lasting. Polyester fiber is also inexpensive, but it flattens quickly. Goose- and duck-feather fillings are comfy, but they can clump. Top of the line: goose down (the bird's soft undercoat) mixed with feathers. The combo is yummily plump, expensive (about double the price of foam), and high maintenance; cushions need frequent fluffing. A down-polyfiber blend is cheaper, but it flattens fast.

Tip: Two good options that are comfortable and reasonably priced: HR foam in a layer of down and conventional foam wrapped in polyester batting.

5. Find Tough Textiles

Sofas for everyday use need durable fabric. Cotton and linen are winners (but watch out for loose weaves — they can snag). Also terrific: synthetic microfiber, which can mimic most fabrics and is stain resistant. Cotton and linen can be treated for stain resistance, but even then they aren't as easy to clean, or as durable, says Kathleen Huddy, the GH Research Institute's textiles, paper, and plastics director. Blends of natural and synthetic fibers tend to pill within a year. Wool and leather are handsome and strong but expensive. Silk is sleek but fragile. Fabrics with patterns woven in tend to wear better than those with printed patterns.

Tip: Ask the store for a piece of fabric larger than the usual swatch. Place it where the sofa will go. View it in natural and artificial light — and see how much you still like it after a few days.

How to Pick the Best Upholstery Fabric for Furniture

When choosing upholstery, you should be aware of its durability, cleanability, and resistance to soil and fading. Use our guide to upholstery fabrics to find the right material for your project.

Upholstered furniture receives varying degrees of use depending on the type of piece and where it's located. No matter how upholstery is used in your home, it's important that the fabric stands up well to its usual level of use. For example, sofas, chairs, and ottomans receiving only moderate amounts of wear, such as those in bedrooms or more formal spaces, will do fine with a less durable fabric. However, pieces subjected to daily heavy wear, like the family room sofa, need to be covered in tough, durable, tightly woven fabrics to protect against stains and damage.

When purchasing upholstery fabric or upholstered furniture, be aware that the higher the thread count, the more tightly woven the fabric is and the better it will wear. Thread count refers to the number of threads per square inch of fabric. Use this guide to natural and synthetic materials to help you find the best upholstery fabric for your next furniture project.

Natural Upholstery Fabric Types

Natural upholstery fabrics refer to those woven from materials found in nature. This includes plant fibers and materials derived from animal products. Here are some of the most common natural fabrics used on upholstered furniture.

Cotton: This natural fiber provides good resistance to wear, fading, and pilling. It is less resistant to soil, wrinkling, and fire. Surface treatments and blending with other fibers often atone for these weaknesses. Durability and use depend on the weave and finish. Damask weaves are formal; canvas (duck and sailcloth) is more casual and more durable.

Cotton Blend: Depending on the weave, cotton blends can be sturdy, family-friendly fabrics. A stain-resistant finish, such as Scotchgard Fabric and Upholstery Protector ($10, The Home Depot) should be applied for everyday use.

Leather: This tough material can be gently vacuumed, damp-wiped as needed, and cleaned with leather conditioner or saddle soap.

Linen: Linen is best suited for formal living rooms or adult areas because it soils and wrinkles easily. It also won't withstand heavy wear. However, linen does resist pilling and fading. Soiled linen upholstery should be professionally cleaned to avoid shrinkage.

Silk: This delicate fabric is only suitable for adult areas, such as formal living rooms. It must be professionally cleaned if soiled.

Vinyl: Easy-care and less expensive than leather, vinyl fabrics are ideal for busy living and dining rooms. Durability depends on quality.

Wool: Sturdy and durable, wool and wool blends offer good resistance to pilling, fading, wrinkling, and soil. Generally, wool is blended with a synthetic fiber to make it easier to clean and to reduce the possibility of felting the fibers (causing them to bond together until they resemble felt). Blends can be spot-cleaned when necessary.

Synthetic Upholstery Fabric Types

Synthetic fabrics are man-made materials designed using chemical processes. They are typically more durable and less expensive than natural upholstery fabrics.

Acetate: Developed as imitation silk, acetate can withstand mildew, pilling, and shrinking. However, it offers only fair resistance to soil and tends to wear, wrinkle, and fade in the sun. It's not a good choice for furniture that will get tough everyday use.

Acrylic: This synthetic fiber was developed as imitation wool. It resists wear, wrinkling, soiling, and fading. Low-quality acrylic may pill excessively in areas that receive high degrees of abrasion. High-quality acrylics are manufactured to pill significantly less.

Microfiber: Made from polyester, this popular upholstery fabric has a velvet-like texture but is much more durable. It resists water, stains, and fading, so it's great for high-use living areas.

Nylon: Rarely used alone, nylon is usually blended with other fibers to make it one of the strongest upholstery fabrics. Nylon is very resilient; in a blend, it helps eliminate the crushing of napped fabrics such as velvet. It doesn't readily soil or wrinkle, but it does tend to fade and pill.

Olefin: This is a good choice for furniture that will receive heavy wear. It's highly resistant to stains, mildew, abrasion, and sunlight, so it can be used both indoors and out.

Polyester: Rarely used alone in upholstery, polyester is blended with other fibers to add wrinkle resistance, eliminate crushing of napped fabrics, and reduce fading. When blended with wool, polyester aggravates pilling problems.

Rayon: Developed as an alternative to silk, linen, and cotton, rayon is durable but it does wrinkle. However, recent developments have made high-quality rayon very practical as a family-friendly upholstery fabric.

DIY Upholstery

Recovering old furniture with new fabric can completely transform the look and functionality of the piece. While reupholstering an item yourself can save you hundreds of dollars, the process can be a little tricky. If you're considering DIY reupholstery, it might be helpful to familiarize yourself with some common upholstery terms first. You should also check that the piece's structure is in good shape before you begin. Be sure to choose a fabric that's easy to work with and appropriate for the piece's level of use. When you're ready to reupholster, remove the old fabric and use it as a guide for the size and shape of the new fabric pieces.