Different types of Upholstery Fabric
Natural Fabrics
Upholstery Cleaning in Laguna Beach — Natural fabrics are made from natural fibers which come from animals or plants.
Chenille
Chenille’s soft coating stack inspired its name — it is the French term for”caterpillar.” Its additional weft threading gives a nap that is distinguishing to it. This casual fabric is best for comfy pieces such as oversized recliners, sofas, papasans, and children’s furniture, but it could also do great things with printed side chairs and traditional accent chairs. Chenille is made of natural fibers, but it may also be made from synthetics such as rayon.
Cotton
Cotton furniture upholstery is usually a mix, combining this stylish, breathable natural fiber with polyester, linen, nylon, etc. for extra texture, durability, or resistance to wrinkling. The cotton combinations will include about 45% to 60% cotton.
Jute
A fiber produced mostly in Bangladesh and India, jute was used for rope and matting. Though susceptible to wrinkling, it is a great material for modern rustic accent pieces such as an ottoman, including a somewhat rougher texture that pairs well with wood and/or leather.
Leather
Leather upholstery may vary greatly in quality and price, based on treatment and its grade.
Full-grain leather: natural imperfections or marks are left undamaged, and Full-grain leather employs layers are hidden rather than by the animal. Here is the thickest leather.
Top-grain leather: Top-grain leather is second in quality only to grain that is full and uses the top layers of the animal hide.
Corrected-grain leather: Corrected-grain leather has been treated to remove imperfections and subsequently given an imitation grain to get a uniform appearance.
Split leather: Split leather consists of the drop or bottom rest of the mask. To the surface, an artificial surface layer is laminated with bycast/bicast leather.
Linen
Produced from flax, linen is a very strong all-natural cloth fiber. It’s a fabric that offers natural immunity and durability to abrasion, pilling, and moths. It is frequently used in conjunction with cotton for greater elasticity. Neatly tailored pieces such as parsons chairs, traditional dining chairs, and tufted arm seats offer a fantastic look for linen.
Silk
Soft silk, and luxurious feels in formal settings and is best kept to kid-free/spill-free zones. Silk is backed to add durability and weight and comes from both artificial and natural varieties. Sunlight can cause this fabric to fade so think creatively about where you put a silk upholstered piece.
Velvet
Velvet is a lavish woven cloth distinguished by its thick and short pile. This soft and lustrous material can be produced from natural or synthetic fibers and varies in quality and type. Though relatively difficult to clean, velvet stands out because of its comfort, feel, and rich color, which make it a preferred alternative for dramatic pieces such as traditional button-tufted headboards and earthy accent seats.
Wool
Most wool you find on sofas and accent chairs today is actually a blend of natural and synthetic fibers. The addition of synthetic substances helps the fabric stand up better to wear and makes it much easier to clean.
Synthetic Fabrics
Synthetic fabrics known as fabrics that are engineered, are textiles made from man-made fibers . Fabrics are more resistant to staining and fading and are far much more durable than natural materials.
Faux Leather
Faux leather is manufactured from polyurethane to vinyl or PVC. PU is much more breathable than PVC, and it is also degradable.
Microfiber
Microfiber is a knit blend polyester cloth that is thicker than suede and a whole lot easier to clean (just remember to dab rather than rub). This substance is constructed from closely woven synthetic fibers, providing authentic suede’s aesthetic qualities to durability and moisture resistance. This fabric is ideally suited to chaise sectional lounges or convertible couches, and other casual chairs in a modern style.
Nylon
A synthetic fiber, nylon is usually mixed with other materials to make a robust and durable material. It is typically easy to maintain and is not likely to wrinkling.
Olefin
Olefin is a manmade material that is produced from melting down pellets. Any desirable color is added and the resulting threads are stitched. Olefin tends to hold its colour, Since the colors are baked in rather than added to the surface and can be cleaned with bleaches. This durable material is very good for upholstery.
Polyester
First introduced in the 1950s, polyester is a synthetic fabric that does its very best work in tandem with materials like wool and cotton.
Rayon
This substance was developed to mimic fabrics such as linen and cotton. It is commonly combined with different kinds of threads to make a material that’s appropriate for upholstery.
Blog
March 24, 2025
