What are the materials for sofa upholstery?

When choosing a new sofa, it is important to pay attention not only to the reliable mechanism and comfortable filling, but also to the upholstery fabric. Today we will analyze the main types of fabrics and tell you about the pros and cons of each, so that the upholstery of the sofa will serve you faithfully for many years.

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  1. Selection recommendations
  2. Upholstery types
  3. What is the best material?
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Selection recommendations

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When choosing fabric for sofa upholstery, consider the following important factors:

  1. Future arrangement in the interior... Models made of artificial leather are good for the kitchen: they do not absorb odors, are easy to clean, and are hygienic. Upholstered furniture in plain upholstery fabric or with a repeating pattern will fit into the living room. First of all, the upholstery of a sofa for a children's room should be easy to clean: take a closer look at furniture fabrics with Easy Clean impregnation. The second requirement is environmental friendliness: when choosing natural materials, give preference to models with removable covers.
  2. Family composition... The upholstery of a sofa in an apartment where two adults live must be different from that used in the homes of large families or pet lovers. A child, inadvertently, can spill juice on the surface, smear it with chocolate, paint with a pen during a creative impulse: therefore, the upholstery fabric should be practical, durable, easy to clean. Cats and dogs are dangerous for upholstered furniture not only with their wool (it is better not to take dark colors), but also with their claws. To avoid snags, choose special dense materials for upholstery "anti-claw".
  3. Features of life... In the rooms of smokers, the sofa must be resistant to odors. Velvety fabrics are not suitable in this case, smooth is better.

See more tips for matching sofa color.

Upholstery types

How to choose “your” fabric for upholstery from a wide range of products? Let's analyze the features, advantages and disadvantages of modern materials.

Flock

Let's start with the fabric for the sofa, which stands out from the rest of the production method. Flock has a velvety texture, but it is not achieved by interlacing the threads, but using a special machine that literally glues the villi to the fabric base. Positive and negative characteristics are mainly based on this particular feature.

pros Minuses
  • Nice to the touch.
  • Tear resistant.
  • Does not stretch.
  • Does not fade in the sun.
  • Large palette of shades.
  • Resistant to holds, claws.
  • Virtually no water absorption.
  • You can vacuum, rub with sponges, wash.
  • It is electrified, it can be "electrocuted".
  • Attracts dust (dry cleaning with a vacuum cleaner once a week is recommended).
  • Can't stand high temperature.
  • It deteriorates when it comes into contact with alcohol-containing liquids (spilling a glass of alcohol = irrevocably ruining the furniture).

furniture flock

Mat

Reliable, textured and time-tested sofa upholstery. Initially, bags and rugs were made from matting - the fabric still retains its external resemblance to burlap (for this they love her), but it has become stronger, denser, more durable. They are made from natural (cotton, linen, wool) or synthetic (acrylic, polyester) fibers, but blended fabrics are most popular: they are more practical than completely natural ones.

pros Minuses
  • Durable - mechanical damage is excluded.
  • Versatile - suitable for most styles, environments.
  • Eco-friendly - especially with regard to cotton, linen fabrics.
  • Hypoallergenic - suitable for families with allergies or small children.
  • Affordable - there are both extremely budgetary and "luxury" options in terms of cost and quality.
  • Loose - if the edge was not processed during manufacture, it will crumble.
  • Prone to holds - not suitable for families with cats, dogs.
  • Stretchable - loses its shape with prolonged exposure.

dark furniture mat

Chenille

These fabrics for the sofa are made by the method of jacquard weaving, but they are distinguished from jacquard by the presence of fluffy threads that give velvety texture.

pros Minuses
  • Increased wear resistance. It will not last 5-7 years, but all 10-15.
  • Maintaining the original appearance. No pills, sprains, abrasions, creases, folds.
  • Nice to the touch. Children and adults will like it.
  • Resistant to odors. Suitable for kitchens, smokers' homes, offices.
  • Capricious in leaving. From soap solutions, water, stains are formed. It can be washed exclusively with special products.
  • Afraid of the sun's rays. Bright, dark fades in the southern, eastern living rooms, bedrooms.
  • Prone to puffs. Not suitable for animal lovers.

furniture chenille with a pattern

Jacquard

Jacquard weave is an invention of Joseph Jacquard. He created a machine with which it was possible to literally weave a pattern, and not emboss it, as it was before. Initially, the process was expensive; only wealthy representatives of society could afford such a sofa upholstery. Jacquard is still considered an exquisite, expensive fabric.

pros Minuses
  • Appearance. Beautiful patterns inherent in the material make it stand out from a number of others.
  • Strength. Thanks to the weaving of many threads, the service life of jacquard is longer than that of many other fabrics.
  • Ease of cleaning. Requires infrequent (every 2-4 weeks) refreshing with a vacuum cleaner, dirt is removed with soapy water.
  • High price. Durable sofa fabrics can be found cheaper.
  • Doubtful design. Jacquard patterns will definitely not fit into modern styles.

green furniture jacquard

Velours

The second most popular after matting - pleasant, velvet velor has a large selection of textures and shades.

pros Minuses
  • Stylish appearance. The surface resembles velvet, dark shades look deep, rich.
  • Tactility. Sofas, armchairs are pleasant to touch, sit, lie on them.
  • Hypoallergenic. Suitable for everyone.
  • Tensile resistance. Unlike matting, dents and "excess" tissue will not appear over time.
  • Excellent UV resistance. Can be used in sunny rooms.
  • Easy cleaning. Even without additional processing, it is enough to go through with a vacuum cleaner, remove individual stains with a damp cloth.
  • Low abrasion resistance. Scuffs may form.
  • Tendency to creases and creases.

mother-of-pearl velor

Tapestry

Initially, lint-free carpets were considered tapestries: they were loved for their originality of plots and bright colors. Recently, this unusual fabric is returning its popularity, but already as a furniture upholstery.

pros Minuses
  • Density. Heavy, multi-layered fabric guarantees durability. Crush resistant. Almost no creases are formed.
  • Durability. Does not shrink, does not stretch, is not prone to abrasion.
  • The original pattern. Bright, detailed, juicy pictures.
  • Rigidity. The density has played a cruel joke: the fabric is tenacious, but "wooden".
  • Demanding care. You will have to call specialists for cleaning.

upholstery fabric tapestry

Leather

Sofas, armchairs made of genuine leather were, are, remain a symbol of prosperity and prestige.

Take a look recommendations for the care of leather furniture.

pros Minuses
  • Does not accumulate dust. Unlike pile coverings.
  • Does not get electrified. No electric shocks.
  • Serves for a long time. With proper care, it will live 20-40 years.
  • Hygroscopic. Absorbs excess moisture, when the air is dry, it gives it away.
  • Looks stylish. Leather products are relevant at all times in most styles.
  • Expensive. A small pouf can cost 15-20,000 rubles, which is to say about a full-fledged sofa.
  • Uncomfortable for home use.It is cold to sit down in winter; in summer, bare feet will sweat and stick.
  • Requires regular maintenance. The coating should be moistened - then it will not crack, stretch, or deteriorate. This is an additional expense of funds, effort, time.

genuine leather shades

Artificial leather

Since leather products have always been expensive, manufacturers sought to reduce the cost of the production process and found a great way: imitation, in a simple way - artificial leather.

pros Minuses
  • Profitable price. Even high-quality material will cost several times cheaper than a natural one.
  • The minimum difference in appearance. High-quality artificial leather perfectly imitates the real one.
  • All the disadvantages inherent in natural: uncomfortable in heat and cold, regular care.
  • Fragility. In most cases, sofa upholstery begins to crumble after 3-5 years of use.

properties of artificial leather

Boucle

The main difference is the rough surface, reminiscent of an astrakhan fur coat.

pros Minuses
  • Lightness, softness, despite the apparent bulkiness.
  • Resistance to creases. No bruises, wrinkles.
  • Elasticity. Suitable for furniture of various shapes.
  • Invisibility of seams. Thanks to the splendor, all the threads will remain invisible.
  • Tendency to hold. But the puffs are easy to hide with a hook.
  • Low versatility. Not in all rooms, design directions, furniture with curly pile will be appropriate.

fabric boucle texture

Microfiber

A relatively new version, outwardly somewhat reminiscent of textured velor.

pros Minuses
  • Nice to the touch. Soft, suitable for children, living rooms.
  • Hygroscopic. Allows air to pass through, breathes well.
  • Wear-resistant. Retains its original appearance for a long time: does not roll, does not rub, does not fade.
  • Easy to care for. A soapy solution is sufficient.
  • Hypoallergenic. Does not cause reactions.
  • Electrifies. Static shock is not pleasant.
  • Dislikes high temperatures. Cannot be placed near radiators.

microfiber for furniture

What is the best material?

Before making a final choice, let's go over the main criteria and the best options again.

Criterion Material

Wear resistance

The most reliable are chenille, genuine leather, jacquard. High-quality velor, flock, matting will last a little less.
Environmental friendliness

Thanks to the natural fibers in the composition, the matting can be considered a winner.
Appearance Appearance is a matter of taste. Someone likes a jacquard pattern, someone the texture of a matting, someone velvety velor.
Unpretentiousness The easiest way is to care for microfiber, velor, flock, chenille. Or any Easy Clean fabric.
Hypoallergenic Velor, microfiber, chenille, matting do not cause allergic reactions. Boucle, tapestry, chenille do not wrinkle at all.
Tactility Velvety flock, velor, microfiber are the most pleasant to touch.
Price quality The average price range of quality fabrics includes matting, velor, microfiber. Chenille is slightly more expensive, but more durable.
For apartments In living quarters, it is most comfortable to sit on a pleasant velor, microfiber, textured mat. For the kitchen - leather or fabrics with easy cleaning.
For offices In office spaces, durability and wear resistance are in the first place: this is genuine leather, chenille.

Appearance plays an important role, but you can achieve the desired effect in different ways: choose the fabric that suits you. Then the sofa will last a really long time!

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