Things You'll Need:
- Upholstery Fabrics
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Step 1
Consider leather, because - although expensive - it can be a wonderfully rugged choice. It does lack the formality of a damask or brocade.
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Step 2
Think long and hard before going with vinyl. It's tough and easy to wipe off, but may not feel good against skin - it will feel cold in cool rooms and stick to skin in warm rooms. However, polyurethane faux leathers are supposed to have a better feel than polyvinyl chloride faux leathers.
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Step 3
Choose nylon for its resilient, long-lasting properties, and because any stains usually can be removed. For formal rooms, nylon velvet is a surprisingly durable option.
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Step 4
Make cotton a top choice: it's absorbent, feels cool against skin in warm climates and it's just as comfortable in colder climates. Heavier-weight cottons such as canvas and denim wear well, while polished ones such as chintz tend to weaken and split in just a few years.
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Step 5
Forgo linen in many situations. This tough fabric wrinkles easily and tends to feel stiff. It's expensive and needs care when cleaned to hold its color and shape.
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Step 6
Opt for wool in cool climates because it's strong and warm. Its drawbacks are moth problems and potential shrinkage.
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Step 7
Stay open to acrylic blends. They are washable and resilient while deterring shrinkage. Acrylic can lend a woolly appearance without the moth problems; however, pure acrylics tend to pill.
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Step 8
Look to polyester as an attractive choice - it is strong, resistant to wrinkles and it neither stretches nor shrinks. It can pill, but polyester-cotton blends combine the advantages of both of these fabrics.
