There are so many options to choose from that settling on the best fabric for your sofa or bed can be difficult. But what’s even more challenging is finding a material that’s tough enough to stand up to the demands of your lifestyle.
As we know a fair bit about upholstery, we thought it only right that we share our tips and tricks of the trade when it comes to deciding between the different fabrics on offer.
So, which fabric is right for you? Firstly, we will break down the different bed and sofa material types. There are many options, but most can be grouped into larger categories.
Here are the different fabrics that we use when we’re making sofa beds and storage beds.
Woven fabrics
Patterned fabrics
Leather
Linen
Wool
Faux suede
Velvet
The trending fabric for upholstery by a long mile continues to be velvet. Velvet upholstery fabric offers a luxurious and elegant touch to furniture, with various types of velvet available to create different looks and styles. Its soft texture and rich appearance make it a timeless choice for adding sophistication to any space.
When it comes to choosing colours for velvet upholstery, there is a wide array of options available to suit various design preferences and styles. For example, Cobalt Blue and Emerald Green are popular shades that bring luxury to any room.
At Furl, we also offer a range of recycled leather options. This eco-friendly fabric is made from the leather off-cuts from shoes and bags that would otherwise be thrown away.
It comes in a range of colours, including classic chestnut and mahogany. Child-proof and fire retardant, this versatile fabric is suitable for upholstering sofas and storage beds.
If you don’t like leather sofas but need something child-proof, you could look into using Guardsman protection on another fabric. Cover against accidental damage and spillages for five years starts from £100.
This treatment coats the fabric without affecting the colour or feel. It prevents any liquid from soaking into the material. If you do struggle to remove a stain, then in most cases, you can still claim on your Guardsman insurance.
Pets are another common topic of conversation when discussing which fabric might be the best for you, particularly when you have cats.
Cats… how we love them, but they do like to scratch. Okay, not all cats do, and those that do, don’t mean to damage your furniture.
If you worry about this, faux suede is the ideal fabric choice. Faux suede, like Warwick Macrosuede, is designed to resist cat claws, making it a practical option for pet owners.
Cleaning cat-proof furniture requires a strategic approach to maintain its durability and appearance. When dealing with pet-friendly sofas, such as those resistant to cat claws, it's essential to consider effective cleaning methods that cater to the specific needs of pet owners.
One practical tip is to use rubber gloves to remove cat hair from the furniture. By wearing rubber gloves and brushing your hand along the fabric, you can easily collect the fur in a pile, making it simpler to clean off the furniture.
Another creative method involves using double-sided tape on areas where cats prefer to scratch. The sticky feeling of the tape can deter cats from scratching those spots, helping protect the furniture from damage.
Aside from leather, wool is officially the easiest fabric to clean. It might surprise you to learn that wool is used for airport seating due to its durability and rub count. Despite common misconceptions about wool being difficult to care for, it boasts inherent qualities that make maintaining its look super simple.
Wool fibres have a natural protective layer that helps prevent stains and dirt buildup, making them easier to maintain and clean. What’s more wool upholstery is easy to care for as it has anti-static properties that prevent dust from collecting on its surface, reducing the need for frequent cleaning.
All of the fabrics we use at Furl are incredibly strong. A lot of research has already gone into selecting the most durable fabrics, so when you’re choosing between them, you can be sure you’re getting the best of what’s available.
If you decide to provide us with your fabric, there are a few things you need to know.
The fabric must have a rub count of over 20,000 on the Martindale rub test. This means that it qualifies for upholstery use. If it passes the test, there will be a little sofa symbol on the back of the fabric.
The fabric must also be FR-treated, which means fire retardant. It is a legal requirement in the UK for the material to be FR-treated for products such as sofas and beds. If your fabric isn’t FR-treated, then we may be able to back it with an FR liner for you.
If you’re still unsure of the best fabric for your sofa or bed, then why not order some free fabric samples from our website? That way, you can see exactly what they look like in your home.
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