Types of Upholstery Fabrics

Upholstery includes furniture, drapes, and accessories like pillows and throws, according to Berkline.com, a furniture manufacturer since 1928. The types of fabrics or textiles used in upholstery break down into two categories; natural and synthetic.

Natural

Natural fabrics come from either plant or animal sources, including cotton, cotton blends, leather, linen, silk and wool.

Synthetic

Synthetic fabrics include acetate, acrylic, micro fiber, nylon, polyester, rayon and vinyl. These fabrics imitate natural fabrics and blend with other fabrics to increase durability.

Wear and Tear

Some like nylon, rayon and linen wrinkle or pill (create little balls of fabric from the fibers), while others, like cotton, cotton blends and silk, soil or stain easily. Wool, vinyl, polyester and leather are more durable.

Imitations

Textile manufacturers created some synthetics to imitate natural fabrics. Rayon imitates cotton, linen or silk, acetate imitates silk, and acrylic imitates wool. Micro fiber has a similar feel to suede leather, but is less likely to stain.

Final Tip

Choose fabrics by gauging the style of room and type of furniture. For highly trafficked areas or children's areas, vinyl, micro fiber and polyester provide more durability and ease in cleaning. For fancier, less frequented areas, silk, linen or wool is better.