How to Pick Upholstery Fabrics

Consider durability, style and use when choosing a upholstery fabric.

Whether you're choosing an upholstery fabric for recovering your furniture or a new piece, the fabric is important. A good quality fabric will make your furniture not only last longer but look great longer. Poor fabrics wear poorly over time and they will bag, sag and wrinkle quickly.

Instructions

1. Check the fabrics to test how well they will wear. Choose a small area and pull the fabric with the grain and across the grain. Look for threads that are lifted up or pulled out of place. These indicate a poorly made fabric.

2. Look for a woven fabric that is tight and lays flat. Anything loosely woven won't stand the test of time. The higher the thread count, the more durable the fabric will be. Choose patterns that are woven in rather than printed as the pattern will look fresh a lot longer.

3. Consider the room in which the furniture will be placed. A large room can handle big, bold repeating patterns. A tiny room will do better with a single color or a very small print. If the piece will be near windows, ask for fade-resistant fabric to resist sun damage.

4. Think about what fabrics you can live with and not quickly grow tired of. Very busy patterns and loud colors can grow tiresome to look at. They are also very hard to relax around, so think about the function of the room as well.

5. Choose fabric that won't easily show dirt and stains if you have children or pets. Choose sturdier fabrics for playrooms and dens.

6. Remember that the fabric should also match the style of the furniture. Each furniture style has a certain look to it that includes color and fabric choices. Hot pink fabric would not go well on an Early American piece nor would Colonial blue go well on a contemporary one. If you are reupholstering, do some research on the furniture's style before choosing your fabric.

Tips & Warnings

• Match the fabric to the piece of furniture, to the style, to the room and to its use.

• Don't pick a fabric on looks alone. Most of the time, it is a big expense that you will have to live with for a good while. Make sure the fabric will hold up as well as look good.

References

• Berkline: How to Choose an Upholstery Fabric