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When a guest enters the living room of the house, usually the first thing they will notice is the couch or the sofa. Hence, it is important that the upholstery of your sofa is nice and neat as it defines the character of the room.
Aside from the aesthetic factor, there are other things to look into when choosing the right upholstery fabric for your sofa. We’ve come up with a list of things to consider before you order your upholstery fabric:
1. Durability
The importance of fabric durability varies depending on the piece of furniture, which room it is used in, and personal aspects of the family- such as if children and pets live in the house. Before you make a purchase, it is best to ask the salesperson whether the fabric is for light, medium, or heavy use. It is important to note that woven patterns hold up longer than the printed ones, as do higher thread counts and tight weaves. Thread count refers to the number of threads per square inch of fabric, and denser fabric lasts longer. If you have a pet in the house, it’s better to choose a microfibre fabric or leather since they can withstand extra wear and tear.
If your living room has many people most of the time, then you might consider choosing fabrics with woven patterns over the printed and heavily textures fabrics. Woven patterns are meant to last longer.
2. Style
When choosing the style of your upholstery fabric, it’s best to choose the one that complements the interior décor of your house and the pieces of furniture as well. They have to be in harmony with each other to add beauty and character to your entire house. Determine what style you like and choose the fabric that is fit for that. However, if you are feeling adventurous and you want to mix polar elements, you can do so, as it can help echo your style and personality.
3. Colour
The colour of your upholstery fabric has a significant impact on your décor especially if your sofa is large enough to dominate the room. It is important to pick a colour that you are sure to enjoy for a long time. Consider also the kind of mood you want to create in your living room. Are you attracted to dramatic colours or would you rather prefer the subtle hues? Accordingly pairing up the furniture with pillows, throw rugs, mats and more with contrasting or complementing colours and patterns. Solid hues are great for this as they can be spruced up with different coloured accents according to the mood. To strike the right mood, consider the colour temperature. Warm and cool colours affect the mood of the room and that aspect should be part of your decision. Avoid trendy colours, unless you really like them. Make sure to veer away from coloured fabrics if you have children or pets as they can wear out easily.
4. Maintenance
Caring for and maintaining your upholstery fabric is important so you don’t need to change it often. It would be best to get a sample of the fabric you are considering and stretch it and compress it to see if it changes its structure drastically. If your furniture is going to be placed somewhere in direct sunlight, then avoid natural fabrics like cotton and linen as they fade over time. For those suffering from allergies, microfibre fabric and hypoallergenic cushion fill are the remedies as they do not attract dust. Stain resistant fabrics, distressed leather, and vinyl are great for homes with kids and pets. In humid conditions, look for fabrics that are resistant to mildew.
If you want your upholstery to last long, you need to vacuum it at least once a month since dust and dirt and friction from using the furniture can break down the fabric of your sofa.
If you want to browse upholstery fabric, South West Upholstery is the company to call. We’re one of Bristol’s most recognised businesses for quality upholstery, re-upholstery, and soft furnishings across Bristol, Bath, and the South West. Contact our team today to browse our extensive fabric selection, have questions answered, or obtain a quote.
