Once your sofa design has been finalized, the task of choosing a fabric for it comes next. This can be the most exciting as well as the most overwhelming of all. There are so many options for fabrics for your sofa that you can easily get lost and confused by the colors, patterns, and designs available. It can also take up a considerable amount of time to decide on one option that best fits your furniture and décor. However, you won’t need to spend hours selecting the best design, all thanks to the comprehensive guide we have put together.
Choosing a fabric is governed by the styling of the sofa or the overall décor and depends a lot on your lifestyle. Then, other apparent factors like cost, durability, ease of maintenance, etc., should be considered while selecting.
The modern sofa upholstery is available in a plethora of options. You can have them in leather, leatherette, suede, cotton, linen, jute, polyester, nylon, rayon, etc. While some of the above are natural fabrics, others are manufactured. Leather and velvet are considered the most luxurious and rightly so for their rich appearance. Other natural fabrics like cotton and linen can add a rich feel too. Jute is another excellent option that has gained popularity in recent years. Artificial options like nylon and polyester can also strike a nice balance between style, durability, and cost.
This is one area where the number of options available is virtually endless. You can go for solid colors if you want more uniformity in your design or choose from several patterns to add vibrancy. Styles like stripes, plaids, paisleys, and other geometric patterns can give a very eclectic feel to your sofa and décor. ‘Floral’ is also highly popular due to its bright combinations and lively feel.
All-natural fabrics like leather and cotton are generally more expensive than manufactured ones due to the higher cost of raw materials. Velvet can be even costlier but gives the most sophisticated and luxurious feel of all. Leather comes next, followed by linen and jute. Artificial fabrics like polyester, rayon, etc., are an excellent alternative for cost-conscious buyers.
Natural fabrics generally tend to fade over time and under direct sunlight. However, jute is a highly durable and hard-wearing natural fabric. Artificial fabrics have a lesser effect on sunlight and therefore are more durable than natural ones.
The more luxurious the fabric, the greater the maintenance required. Velvet will require your utmost attention and care, while linen might require dry cleaning after some years of usage. The leather is an exception and can withstand spills or stains easily. Polyester and other similar fabric will require less maintenance.
This is the most crucial factor while selecting a particular fabric for your sofa. Assess your usage patterns and then decide on the kind of fabric. If you have pets and kids at home, then choose durability and ease of maintenance over style. However, if you need a very lavish look for your sofa, expect fewer guests, and aren’t cost-constrained, then choose an extravagant style.
