Before buying a sofa or upholstered chair, consider what fabric you want for the chairs. One wrong move with furniture fabrics can damage things we must live with for years.
Furniture greatly influences interior design. Changing your sofa can completely transform the look and atmosphere of your living room. Style is important, but fabric choice affects your sofa’s feel, cleanability, and longevity. You must consider some things to pick the best fabric at an upholstery shop in Bangalore.
A new sofa requires an enormous expenditure in upholstery fabric. But there are so many designs and fabrics to pick from that it can take time to find the right Upholstery services in Bangalore for your home.
Types of Natural Upholstery Fabric
A greater thread count means a finer woven and better wear when buying upholstery fabric or furniture.
Natural upholstery fabrics are those woven from naturally occurring materials. This comprises materials derived from plant fibres and animal products. They allow air to circulate and are an excellent option for sensitive skin or allergies. Here are some popular choices for upholstery fabric.
- Cotton –
Cotton fiber is long-lasting, soft, easy to clean, and absorbent. Cotton, on the other hand, wrinkles and fades quickly. Additionally, it is highly susceptible to discoloration and needs fabric treatment to avoid blemishes. It’s not suitable for use on chairs that will be exposed to direct sunlight. - The fabric linen –
Due to its susceptibility to stains and wrinkling, linen is most suitable for ceremonial living areas. It will also not endure heavy use. In humid environments, mould can develop on linen, making it unhygienic. Linen is resistant to pilling and fading. To keep the linen from shrinking, it should be cleaned by a professional when it gets soiled. - The leather –
Leather is a durable, easy-to-clean material that becomes softer over time. It also comes in many different grades and finishes, each with varied degrees of strength and durability. - Silk –
This delicate fabric should only be used in formal living rooms. It feels soft and smooth, and it shines naturally. It is strong and resilient but expensive and readily sun-damaged. If it is soiled, professional cleaning is required. - Wool –
Wool blends are durable and will last a long time. They don’t pill, fade, wrinkle, or get dirty quickly. Wool is often combined with synthetic fibre to make it simpler to clean and prevent felting, which bonds fibres together to form felt. Blends require only occasional spot cleaning. - The vinyl –
Vinyl materials are perfect for the living and dining areas since they are durable, easy to clean, and cheaper than leather. The level of quality determines the durability.
Types of Synthetic Upholstery Fabric
- The Synthetic –
The transformation of chemicals into fibre strands is the process by which synthetic fabric is produced. It lasts longer and is more vital than natural fibres. It is challenging and doesn’t fade or wear down quickly. They last longer and cost less than natural upholstery materials. - Acetate –
Developed as a silk substitute, acetate is resistant to mildew, pilling, and shrinkage. However, it has only average soil resistance and a tendency to deteriorate, wrinkle, and discolour in the sun. It could be more suitably durable for everyday home furnishings. - Acrylic –
Acrylic fibre lasts long, doesn’t fade in the sun, and dries fast. Because it is challenging, it can be used for outdoor seating. Areas with high levels of abrasion may cause low-quality acrylic to pill excessively. Better quality acrylics tend to pill much less due to their manufacturing procedures. - Microfiber material –
This iconic upholstery fabric is made of polyester and feels like velvet but lasts much longer. It resists water, staining, and fading, making it ideal for heavily used living spaces. - Nylon –
Nylon is one of the most durable upholstery fabrics but rarely used. It is usually mixed with other fibres to make it stronger. Nylon is durable, won’t absorb stains, won’t wrinkle, and does fade quickly. - Polyester –
Polyester is typically used with different fibres in upholstery to improve performance in areas like wrinkle, nap crushing, and fade resistance. When polyester is mixed with wool, pilling problems get worse. - Rayon –
Rayon was developed as a more durable option to silk, linen, and cotton, but it still wrinkles. However, modern innovations have made premium rayon useful as a kid- and pet-friendly upholstery fabric.
Guidelines for the Selection of Fabric:
- Check the Durability of the Fabric –
Ask the salesperson if the upholstery fabric is for light, medium, or heavy use before buying at an upholstery shop in Bangalore. A heavy-duty fabric might be used for upholstering if the chair is heavily used, such as in the living room. Polyester and nylon are excellent options, particularly when considering kids and pets.
Engineered materials are more durable than natural fibres. It’s best to avoid printed and highly textured fabrics in the living room if they get much use since they tend to wear out in places where people sit down a lot. You should choose materials with woven patterns instead since those patterns are made to last. - Select Appropriate Colours –
Matching colours should enhance interior décor. Textural finishes and materials give the room depth. Neutral hues and clean, crisp materials provide a sense of freshness, whilst woven, decorated fabrics offer a sense of warmth. Printed fabrics are susceptible to fading with time.
Going for in-season colours can be challenging because trends vary, and keeping up is expensive. So choose a colour you believe you can live with for many years. Additionally, avoid using fabrics with delicate colours near children and animals, and choose dark colours for camouflage. - Patterns are also significant –
Choose patterns for the best upholstery in Bangalore that highlight furniture geometry. When picking a design, it’s also essential to consider the room’s size. Large rooms look great with big patterns, while small rooms look great with small designs. If you wish to combine patterns, use the more intricate ones as highlights and gradually incorporate the simpler ones until you get an attractive design.
Finally, keep watching for designs cut off at strange angles. This can disrupt the symmetry of a beautiful pattern. - Fabric Fade Resistance –
If your furniture will be in direct sunlight, avoid cotton and linen textiles, which fade. Natural fibres deteriorate rapidly. Consequently, they should be used inside and in colder areas of the house. Fabrics used in outdoor furniture should be fade-resistant. - Consider design style –
Similar to colour and pattern, upholstery fabrics are vital for establishing distinctive interior design themes. Some fabrics look best in more formal settings, and fabrics look best in more casual settings. Choose one that fits well with the room’s atmosphere where the sofa will be placed.
It’s easy and safe to follow this rule: match traditional fabrics with classic furniture, modern fabrics with modern furniture, and so on. Mixing polar elements can make a place look adventurous. Go for it if it accurately reflects your style and character. - Consider maintenance –
Understanding your sofa’s durability and willingness to maintain it are essential. Get a fabric sample, stretch, and compress it to check whether it substantially changes structure.
Dust-resistant microfiber fabric and hypoallergenic cushion fill are ideal for allergy sufferers. Stain-resistant outdoor fabrics, distressed leather, and vinyl are suitable for households with children and animals. In humid conditions, check for mildew-resistant fabrics.
Conclusion:
Upholstery fabric covers furniture and other items, offering comfort and style. It’s the padded covering for things like couch cushions and chair seats. This fabric has been selected carefully to prevent fading, markings, and wear from daily usage.
The sofa’s upholstery material impacts both its appearance and its durability. Before making a decision, consider it carefully. It’s time for your sofa to look different. So, you’ve decided to reupholster your sofa, but how should you choose a fabric? You can visit CurtainSpa, the best upholstery shop in Bangalore near you, for available upholstery materials and styles.
