What is the best fabric for sofa upholstery? Upholstery fabric for sofas: which is better. From reviews of sofas with chenille upholstery

Choosing the upholstery material for the sofa, armchairs and chairs

Most buyers perceive furniture upholstery as a decorative element, picking it up to the interior of the living room, forgetting about practicality. “Oh, what pretty roses!” - says the customer and pays money, not thinking that after a week these most beautiful roses will become a victim of the claws of a cat or a dog, and on a light upholstery there will forever be a stain from cherry juice accidentally spilled by children. The properties of the upholstery material, ultimately, affect how long a sofa or chair will last: whether it will be easy to clean, how well the upholstery material resists moisture and dirt, how resistant it is to fading and abrasion - it is advisable to clarify all these questions before you get your wallet.

Types of upholstery fabric

A few technical details: two types of fabrics are used for furniture upholstery - covering and upholstery. The springs and other structural elements of the sofa frame are covered with a covering fabric, the underside of the covers is sewn from it, and the inner surfaces of sofas and armchairs are upholstered with it. Usually it is a dense burlap or thick cotton fabric. Upholstery fabric is what is used for external upholstery, the very beauty and practicality that we will talk about. Let's start in order, with the most popular materials.

1. Jacquard

It is the most common upholstery material for upholstered furniture. The jacquard fabric is made up of a mixture of cotton and synthetic fibres. It is very thick and holds its shape well. Jacquard fabrics are distinguished by a woven relief pattern, most often floral or ornamental. Jacquard manufacturing technology allows you to create patterns with high detail. Depending on the composition and thickness of the threads, the cost of jacquard also varies. It is not difficult to take care of jacquard upholstery: small dirt is washed off with soapy water, dust is removed with a vacuum cleaner. For heavy stains - not too aggressive substances for dry cleaning upholstered furniture.

2. Scotchguard

This is the same jacquard that has been treated with a special water-repellent compound. Impregnation protects the material not only from moisture, but also from dirt, fading, and even from the claws of pets: scotchguard belongs to the category of anti-vandal fabrics. It is as dense as jacquard, great for all types of furniture. Scotchguard is especially good for fabric frameless furniture.

3. Thermo jacquard

A relatively new material, which is an ordinary undyed jacquard with a pattern applied to it. The image is applied by thermal printing: the ink penetrates deeply into the fibers, holds well, does not fade or fade. Other characteristics are the same as those of ordinary jacquard: durable, dense and practical material.

4. Tapestry

And this is also jacquard, more precisely, one of its varieties. Tapestry is woven from thicker fibers, most often from 100% cotton or with a slight addition of synthetics. The weaving of the threads in the tapestry is especially dense, and almost always the tapestry has a complex pattern, reminiscent of a painting. The fabric keeps its shape perfectly, but due to the high content of natural fibers, it may fade a little over time. Tapestry is good for upholstery of small sofas, couches, chaise longues. A large sofa covered with a tapestry can look too gaudy.

5. Gunny

Thanks to the checkerboard weave of the threads, the matting is very similar in structure to ordinary burlap. Basically, matting is woven from natural materials: linen, cotton, silk, wool, but acrylic or polyester threads are added to the fabric for strength. The matting is durable, textured and multi-colored. It is easy to care for: light dirt can be removed with ordinary upholstery cleaners (but never use bleach). The vacuum cleaner does a great job of removing dust. But matting is not very friendly with pets: their claws even accidentally cling well to large weaving and pull out the threads. By the way, the author of this article has a sofa covered with matting and a cat at home. And the sofa is still intact.

6. Chenille

A blended fabric consisting of cotton and synthetic threads, which are woven in a special way: the threads are first twisted and then intertwined longitudinally and crosswise. The material is very strong and dense. The peculiarity of chenille is that one of the synthetic threads is “shaggy”, and as a result, the fabric gets a short pile. Thanks to its hairiness, chenille can be put in the same category as the next velor and flock on our list, but chenille is much cheaper than its shaggy counterparts.

7. Velor

Pile fabric, which is obtained by a complex interweaving of several threads - warp and pile. The qualities and properties of velor depend on the density of the weave: velor can be both dense and loose. The material is soft to the touch, non-toxic and safe. As an upholstery for a sofa in the living room, velor is suitable if there are no small children and pets in the house: it is highly susceptible to abrasion and easily gets dirty. But if you still opted for velor upholstery, be prepared for the fact that after 3-5 years you will have to change it.

8. Flock

Flock is a fabric with a pile, which is considered one of the varieties of velor. But the flock manufacturing technology is completely different. It is a more synthetic material with a 1:3 ratio of cotton to polyester. Small nylon fibers are applied to a thin fabric base with an adhesive layer under the action of an electrostatic field. Thanks to electrostatics, the pile falls on the base strictly vertically. The output is a soft, pleasant to the touch fabric with a perfectly even and thick pile. Flock is durable, waterproof, repels dirt, easy to clean. It, like scotchgrad, belongs to the category of “anti-claw” fabrics - the claws of pets cannot damage it.

9. Velvet

Another fleecy fabric with characteristic scars. Depending on the width of the scar between the pile strips, there are micro-velveteen, corduroy with a wide or medium scar. Velvet can be either 100% cotton or with the addition of synthetics (elastane or polyester). The fabric is capricious, requiring careful care: it cannot be rubbed, wrinkled and squeezed hard. Dirty stains should only be removed with mild stain removers for natural fabrics. But the capriciousness of velveteen is more than justified by its beauty. The service life of velveteen upholstery is about 5-7 years. Velvet is very “bald” in places of constant contact.

10. Faux suede

Faux suede - a mix of polyester and cotton. Often this union is treated with Teflon liquid, which significantly increases strength and wear resistance. Artificial suede has many advantages: it is difficult to distinguish it from the real one, it is not afraid of scratches and creases, it does not fade, does not fade and does not rub. There is nothing to say about the aesthetic side.

There are also disadvantages: it is not suitable for apartments and houses where small children or animals live, it still requires careful handling. Wet cleaning for artificial suede is contraindicated. Only dry delicate cleaning.

11. Faux Fur

In structure, artificial fur resembles the natural skin of an animal: it consists of a base (soil) and pile. The pile itself, in turn, is made from nylon, viscose or wool fibers, and to create a better material, several types of threads with similar characteristics are used.

Faux fur is an affordable, eco-friendly and easy-to-care material with a wide variety of colors. It can also be decorated with patterns, geometric patterns, other fabrics and even rhinestones. Cons: fragility and rapid contamination of synthetic fibers that actively attract dust.

12. Genuine leather

Luxury upholstery. In the furniture industry for the manufacture of upholstery, pigskin is used, less often - goat or horse. There are two types of processing of this material: aniline method and semi-aniline (or complex). Aniline leather is soft and looks very beautiful, but at the same time it is very capricious: it is afraid of moisture, dirt and mechanical damage. Comprehensively treated leather is not as attractive, but it is tougher, thicker, more durable and better resistant to all influences. The life of the leather is practically unlimited, and depends only on how well you take care of it. A special plus - aged skin does not look worse. On the contrary, over time it acquires a special charm.

13. Faux leather

This is a fabric on which an elastic film with a texture and pattern "under the skin" is applied. As a basis natural or synthetic fabrics, fabrics with an elastic basis are used. Faux leather perfectly holds its shape, has water-repellent and dirt-repellent properties. It is not very difficult to take care of it: it is washed with soapy water or products that do not contain too aggressive components. Among the types of artificial leather for upholstery of upholstered furniture, arpatek, microfiber and artificial suede are used.

Arpatek. Looks presentable, very similar to natural leather. It is soft and elastic material. Durable and unpretentious in care, does not fade and well resists mechanical damage, including the claws of pets
Microfiber is a material that resembles natural suede with its characteristics and appearance. Due to the dense weave of the threads and the additionally applied Teflon layer, the microfiber is very durable and belongs to the “anti-claw” category.

How to choose upholstery material: a short checklist

So, before you buy upholstery material for upholstered furniture, ask yourself a few questions: Are you ready to sacrifice practicality for the sake of upholstery beauty and make excessive efforts to care for it? Do you have animals at home? If yes, pay attention to the materials of the “anti-claw” category: scotchguard, flock, arpatek. Will you sleep on a new sofa every day? If yes, give preference to upholstery with a high content of synthetics: it is more durable. Are you buying a sofa or chairs for a nursery? Remember that young children are best contacted with natural materials. Choose matting or tapestry. Will you constantly use a sofa or chair as a place to relax? If so, choose upholstery that is easy to care for.

We hope our article will help you find the "same" upholstery for your sofa, armchair or chair that will appeal to all family members.

When buying upholstered furniture, more and more people pay attention not to its functionality, practicality, but to the material from which the upholstery is made. This is a material that is mounted on top of sofas and armchairs. When choosing it, it is necessary to take into account some points - the quality of the fabric, wear resistance, cost. Very often, it is necessary to decide on upholstery not only when buying new furniture, but when reupholstering the old one, when its former material has already lost its aesthetic appearance.

Types and categories of fabrics

Today, the range of fabrics for finishing the sofa is huge. Manufacturers offer their customers natural and artificial materials.

chenille

The material got its name because of the thread that was included in the composition of the fabric. It looks like a furry caterpillar, it is characterized by a soft rounded surface. The production process of matter is carried out by twisting dense threads with chenille threads. Thus, it is possible to create an inextensible thread, which will set the properties of the future material. The composition of chenille contains cotton and synthetics in equal amounts.

The fabric is distinguished by its density and strength. The pile of pile can be done using a special machine. The cost of the material is 680 rubles per meter.

Chenille is divided into two types:

Fabric base. The material is resistant to moisture, so it can withstand wet cleaning. The disadvantage of the fabric is that you can’t sleep on it all the time. Because of this, it will wrinkle and lose its shape.
Glued base. This material is afraid of moisture, as it can be deformed, and after cleaning it also dries for a long time.

The benefits of fabric include:

wear resistance due to the presence of synthetic threads in the composition;
ecological properties are close to natural matters;
You can remove dust from chenille stuffing with a regular vacuum cleaner.

Not without material and shortcomings, which include:

the color scheme does not differ in its diversity, but for a moderate style, you can choose several options;
the material is afraid of the influence of the claws of pets, as the threads will be pulled out.

Rogozhka

This fabric is characterized by a fine texture. Most of the time it is monochromatic. Its peculiarity is that the fibers for matting are made of a thick dense structure, and the weaving of the threads is made roughly. The canvas is characterized by increased elasticity, since it does not wrinkle during the day, perfectly retaining its shape. Caring for matting is also not difficult, since there is no need to use special solutions.

The advantages of the fabric include high strength qualities, resistance to wear, ease of care. But to the minuses - the lack of a wide range of colors. The cost of the material is 270 per r.m.

Velours

This material is characterized by its velvety and pleasant to the touch surface. The pile can have a vertical arrangement throughout the canvas or in some areas it is laid on one side. To finish the sofa, velor based on cotton and wool is used. detailed description of furniture fabric velor.

Material benefits include:

ease of care, as it contains high-tech fibers with anti-allergic and antistatic qualities;
velor is characterized by a high abrasion threshold, and any dirt can be easily removed, so that the fabric has a long wear life.

The disadvantages of the material include high cost, low resistance to mechanical stress. The cost of velor will be 340 rubles per m.p.

Flock

This finishing material is obtained using polyester and cotton. A pile is applied to the surface of the canvas using an electrostatic method. First, canvas is made from cotton threads, and then impregnated with glue. In the photo - flock upholstery fabric:

When it is stretched in an electric field, a pile is sprayed. The coloring of the fabric is carried out by printing. The cost of the fabric is 390 rubles per r.m.

Flock has the following advantages:

keeps its shape for a long time;
ease of care;
excellent light fastness;
characterized by water-repellent properties;
has a high density;
the duration of the paint and the brightness of the shade;
environmental friendliness.

Teflon flock

This type of material is modern. The fibers of the fabric are equipped with Teflon protection, thanks to which the upholstery fabric can be washed and dirt removed. The peculiarity of the fabric is that it has excellent resistance to the bones of pets. You can buy material at a price of 480 rubles per m.p.

Tapestry

This is a natural matter, which differs from others in its correct interlacing of yarn with a figurine or ornament. The range of material has a lot of flourishes and shades. The fabric is washable, durable, pleasant to the touch and practical. Since the canvas can take any shape, has excellent plasticity, it can be used to finish absolutely any furniture.

The advantages of the tapestry include its aesthetic appearance and naturalness. But to the minuses: low resistance to frequent loads, fear of wet and frequent cleaning and high cost. The cost of the fabric will be 450 rubles per r.m.

Jacquard

The advantages include a wide selection of shades, high strength and durability. Of the disadvantages, one can note the high cost, the fear of intensive cleaning, as a result of which it can tightly lose its color. The cost of the fabric is 560 rubles per r.m.

Thermal jacquard and scotchguard

These varieties of material refers to improved types of jacquard. To obtain a thermo jacquard, the thermo dyeing method is used. The ornament under the influence of high temperature is transferred to the base. Thus, it is possible to obtain a stable surface of the fabric. The cost is 550 rubles per r.m.

Scotchgard is a jacquard that is impregnated on top with a transparent composition to protect against wear and dirt. At the same time, the aesthetic appearance of the canvas is completely preserved. It is advisable to use the material for sofas that are subject to intensive use. The cost is 500 rubles per r.m.

Boucle

This type of material is similar to sheared lamb. The peculiarity of the canvas is that its structure is presented in the form of dense nodules that protrude above the surface. The material has an original decorative look. Aesthetic appearance is achieved through the use of threads of different shades. Boucle is a very durable material. You can buy fabric at a price of 660 rubles per r.m.

The advantages include the original look and low price. Of the minuses, you can cancel:

fear of sharp objects, upon contact with which puffs can form;
because of its porosity, the matter is easily soiled;
difficult to remove dirt;
stains should not be rubbed, it is worth blotting slightly, and then treating with soapy water using a soft sponge.

A natural skin

This type of finishing material is used for facing expensive and high-quality furniture. Its advantages include attractive appearance, durability, strength and ease of cleaning. The downside is the high cost. Purchase material at a price of 2000 rubles per m.

Faux leather

This fabric is characterized by the presence of a one-sided monolithic or porous PVC coating. The basis is cotton and polyester knitted threads. Leatherette in its performance is not inferior to natural leather. It has high wear resistance, and it can be used when facing a sofa for domestic or public use.

The positive qualities of the material include resistance to stress and pollution, ease of cleaning and non-absorption of odors and dirt. Artificial leather has disadvantages - it is a monophonic surface, fear of sunlight and high temperatures. The cost is 430 rubles per r.m.

eco-leather

This type of material is similar to genuine leather and is not inferior to it even in terms of environmental friendliness. To obtain the material, the method of applying porous polyurethane to a cotton base is used. Thus, it is possible to create a fabric that is resistant to wear, has a breathable surface and high environmental qualities. The cost is 670 rubles per r.m.

Arpatek

Previously, this material was used to decorate car seats. Arpatek is a type of artificial leather. It is resistant to light, abrasion and has high tensile strength. In the manufacture of the material used cotton, viscose and polyurethane. You can buy material at a price of 4000 rubles per meter.

Cotton

It is a natural material that breathes and can be dyed. The disadvantage of cotton is a short service life. To enhance the characteristics of the fabric, manufacturers apply a protective impregnation to its surface. It does not allow the paint to wear out and prolongs the service life.

Most often, cotton is used when decorating sofas in a children's room. This is due to the fact that the material is environmentally friendly and completely safe for children. And a short service life requires replacement of the canvas along with the changing needs of a grown-up baby. The cost of matter is 230 rubles per meter. described varieties of cotton fabric.

Which fabric is best

When choosing a material for finishing a sofa, it is necessary to take into account the room in which the furniture will be installed. If you need to transform the interior in a children's room, then you should choose natural canvases. This includes linen or cotton. The flock option remains quite popular, because then the sofa can be cleaned and washed to remove various contaminants.

If upholstery is carried out for furniture installed in the living room, then you need to pay attention to materials with high wear resistance. If the sofa acts as a sleeping place, then you can use any material except leather, since it is uncomfortable to be on it without clothes.

On the video, how much fabric is needed for upholstery of the sofa:

How to calculate the quantity

calculation measures to determine the amount of fabric for finishing the sofa are not difficult. First, it is recommended to remove the old upholstery, take a tape measure and take all measurements. If the details of the sofa have an irregular shape, then they will have to be measured in the longest and widest parts.

Now add up all the vertical dimensions of the sofa elements and add 20% to them. The value obtained is the required length of matter in cm. And to determine the width, it is necessary to take into account the dimensions of the widest part, most often facing materials have a width of 130-150 cm.

To determine the amount of matter for pillows on a sofa, you need to measure their length and height. Add these values \u200b\u200band multiply by 2. Add 5 cm to the calculated value.

Upholstered furniture is a mandatory design in various residential or public institutions. They are distinguished by the presence of a soft seat, and also have a pleasant and high-quality upholstery. For upholstered furniture, different types of fabrics can be used to create upholstery. When choosing a fabric for furniture upholstery, it is important to remember that each variety has its own characteristics and parameters, so when choosing any design, you should consider what it is made of.

All types of fabrics intended for upholstery must meet certain requirements:

high attractiveness, compliance with a certain style and tastes of furniture owners;
upholstery fabric must be resistant to abrasion and shrinkage, as well as to stretching;
resistance to fire, high temperatures and moisture;
environmental friendliness, since all upholstery materials must be safe for permanent use in residential premises;
resistance to burnout, if the furniture structure is installed in a section of the room where it will constantly be exposed to sunlight;
the presence of a high-quality and stable base.

When choosing an upholstery fabric, you should decide on its category.

There are several categories of fabrics with which a coating is formed on various interior items. The category is determined depending on the different parameters of the material. Its strength, operational parameters, appearance, weight and cost are taken into account.

In accordance with this, furniture fabric can be presented in the following categories:

Category 1 - servant, chennil, scotchguard;
2nd and 3rd categories - cotton of essential density, flock, velveteen, suede;
Category 4 - tapestry, jacquard;
5, 6 categories - artificial leather, arpatek;
Category 7 - genuine leather of low density and cost;
Category 8 - genuine leather of considerable density and price.

Thus, upholstery material is produced in numerous types, differing in category and other parameters. Before purchasing any variety, it is recommended to evaluate all its features in order to make sure that such a purchase is worthwhile.

Kinds

Various materials can be used for upholstering upholstered furniture. They have their own parameters and properties. It is advisable to study all types in advance, as well as view photos of furniture with each variety in order to make the right choice.

Velor is considered a rather interesting choice for creating high-quality upholstered furniture. Its main features include:

velor is velvety to the touch, so it is incredibly pleasant to touch it;
the pile on such a coating can always be located in a vertical state, or in certain areas of the coating it can be laid on one side;
velor can be made with different warps, for which cotton or wool is used, with the wool warp being the most commonly used;
it is easy to care for the velor coating, as it will be created using high-tech fibers;
such upholstery fabric for furniture has antistatic parameters;
is a hypoallergenic material;
contaminants are easily removed from the surface.

However, velor has some disadvantages. This includes the high cost of the material. Additionally, velor does not have good resistance to various mechanical influences.

This modern material has the same positive parameters as jacquard, but at the same time it has a low price. Its advantages include:

long service life;
resistance to various stains;
ecological purity, due to the use of only natural components;
softness of the resulting upholstery;
high coating strength.

With such a material for upholstery of upholstered furniture, various dirt can be easily removed, for which a standard soap solution is suitable. It is not allowed to use abrasives, wash the fabric at high temperature or survive it.

For furniture upholstery, jacquard is used quite often. This material has an original ornament, and there is certainly a large report. When choosing jacquard fabrics, it is determined whether their composition will be monophonic or mixed.

Jacquard is an expensive material, so choosing it, you should prepare for significant expenses.

The advantages of this material include high strength and long service life. It is available in many colors, but has a high cost. If you choose a material with an anti-claw effect, then it will be expensive.

This article has appeared relatively recently. Choose the best fabric for each soft piece of furniture. Coloring is done using thermal printing technology. A feature of this material is the presence of unusual and unique colors, and bright colors remain for a long time. Additionally, the fabric is highly wear-resistant and durable.

For various upholstered furniture, chenille is chosen quite often. The material got its name due to the fact that a special thread is included in the composition, similar to a caterpillar with a high pile.

The positive parameters of the use of this material include:

it is possible to choose a fabric with an anti-claw effect, which is important for every pet owner;
the material has a good density;
considered to be a durable fabric;
dust is easily removed with a conventional vacuum cleaner with appropriate nozzles;
the cost is acceptable for every buyer.

Chenille is produced on an adhesive or fabric basis. The disadvantages of the material include low cost before exposure to moisture, as well as the duration of drying after cleaning.

Flock is a popular finishing material. It is made using cotton and polyester. A pile is applied to the surface of the base, for which an electrostatic method is used. Flocking is considered a popular procedure that allows you to get high-quality material, which is chosen quite often among decorative products.

Flock has the following advantages:

good strength;
ease of care;
resistance to exposure to sunlight, moisture or dirt;
has an attractive appearance.

Flock is an environmentally friendly material. It has a high density and holds its shape well. Therefore, when answering the question, what is the best fabric for upholstery, often the choice falls on the flock.

The material does not shed, does not fade with constant exposure to ultraviolet radiation and has good resistance to moisture. May have a special anti-claw effect. Before choosing microfiber for upholstery, it should be noted that exposure to high humidity or temperature is not allowed.

The main disadvantage is the high cost. For a long service life of such upholstery, a lot of effort will be required for specific care. To do this, you will have to purchase special care products.

The most demanded types of upholstered furniture made of natural or artificial leather. If such upholstery is purchased for rooms where pets live, then there must certainly be anti-claw protection. It is so called because it provides effective protection of the material from the claws of animals.

High-quality artificial leather is similar in parameters to natural material, but has an acceptable cost. Provides a truly attractive, luxurious and unusual upholstery.

The use of such material will require significant financial investments. Its advantages include high attractiveness, ease of maintenance, and it also fits perfectly into different interior styles.

The cost of the material is considered high, and if animals live in the house, then anti-claw protection must certainly be used, otherwise the upholstery will quickly lose its attractiveness due to the effects of pet claws.

The advantages of such material include:

high resistance to wear;
ecological cleanliness;
good elasticity;
high strength;
ease of care;
acceptable cost.

The disadvantages include fading in the sun and shrinkage after washing. Various mechanical influences contribute to the loss of the attractiveness of the fabric.

Arpatek and faux suede

Previously used to form the upholstery of chairs. It is a type of artificial leather. Its advantages include resistance to ultraviolet radiation and abrasion. It is tear resistant. Its cost is considered quite high, but it is due to its positive parameters.

The use of artificial suede for furniture upholstery is considered quite popular. The material is pleasant and has an unusual texture. Each furniture with such upholstery, for which artificial suede is used for furniture upholstery, looks elegant, unique and luxurious.

It is represented by soft matter with an organic weave of yarn, so an unusual ornament is formed. Tapestry is available in numerous colors and textures.

The anti-vandal fabric is easy to wash, durable, pleasant and practical. Tapestry is a plastic material, so it can be used for various interior items. Its advantages include, first of all, naturalness. The tapestry has an attractive appearance.

The disadvantages include not too good resistance to different loads. It is not allowed to clean the tapestry with wet methods, and it also has a high cost.

Most often, upholstered furniture occupies more space in the interior. Its durability is determined not only by the strength of the case, but also by the quality of the upholstery. Properly selected fabric for a sofa is able to maintain its presentable appearance for a long time without requiring complex care.

There are several categories of fabric to consider when choosing. You need to know how to clean the material and how to care for it during operation.

How to choose the best sofa fabric

Before buying a new sofa or replacing worn-out upholstery, it is necessary to take into account the features of the room in which this piece of furniture will be located:

If the room is smoked, you should not choose textured or fleecy fabrics - they easily absorb odors. In sunny rooms, the sofa upholstery fabric should have high color fastness, the optimal indicator is 4 (the maximum is 5).

One of the most important characteristics of upholstery fabric for sofas, which allows you to choose the right upholstery, is the density. The indicator is measured in grams of fiber per square meter of fabric (g / m2). The minimum unit is 200 g/m2.

Types of materials for upholstery sofas

The modern variety of fabrics allows you to choose an option that meets all quality indicators. To find the right upholstery among thousands of options, you need to know its main types.

lungs - flock, chenille, tapestry;
practical - jacquard, chenille and denser fabrics of the first category;
dense materials with a complex texture, such as thick tapestry, suede, chenille;
heavy - like chenille and tapestry;
natural - leather.

Before choosing upholstery, it is worth considering in more detail the most popular materials.

Flock

This soft to the touch fabric is very reminiscent of velvet. The material is synthetic, but very easy to care for. The composition includes two-thirds of synthetics and a third of cotton.

Among the advantages it is worth noting:

easy cleaning (neutral detergent will do);
high density;
form retention;
high color fastness.

Flock is great for children's rooms and bedrooms. However, it should not be chosen for the kitchen or living room, because the top pile is quickly erased and absorbs odors. If you need anti-vandal fabric for a sofa from cats and other pets, then you should choose flock.

Modern collections of flock fiber are treated with Teflon and other coatings, which makes them resistant to mechanical coatings and dirt. Due to its properties, it is often used as a fabric for sofa covers.

chenille

It is made from soft threads by dense weaving, which makes it similar to velor. Chenille thread is very strong, which makes the upholstery almost inextensible.

The advantages of the material include:

a large number of color variations;
high wear resistance (low spooling);
environmental friendliness.

It is better to choose for the kitchen interior. Such material practically does not absorb odors and repels pollution. To clean it from dust, it is enough to vacuum it. This is worth considering before deciding which fabric to choose for the sofa.

Jacquard

Jacquard furniture is not the best choice for a sofa in a living room or bedroom. The fabric has a hard texture with which the skin constantly slips off. Jacquard has a very beautiful and complex weave, which makes it unique.

Among the advantages of such upholstery, it should be noted:

The material is made from cotton, which makes it suitable for people with allergies. Jacquard upholstery does not tolerate wet cleaning. Such furniture is expensive, but it never goes out of fashion. How to clean a sofa made of such fabric? For her, you should choose a mild soap and water-based cleaners.

Velours

Velor fabric is very effective, and furniture with such upholstery is exquisite. The threads of the fiber are very soft and shimmer beautifully in the light. Velor is quite demanding in care - it needs specialized cleaning, otherwise the pile will simply deteriorate.

However, there are many advantages to such upholstery:

weaving is well breathable;
high density;
showiness.

Velor is a short-lived material, its fleecy surface is quickly erased under constant loads, but the canvas itself is very durable. For a sleeping sofa, it is definitely not suitable. To extend the life of places subject to heavy loads, it is recommended to cover them with covers or decorative blankets.

Tapestry

Tapestry is a durable material; old canvases in this technique have survived to this day. There are various types of tapestry weaving in density. The tapestry has a very refined texture, which is achieved by an ornate alternation of colored threads. Modern tapestry is made of cotton with the addition of synthetic fibers.

Upholstery benefits:

pronounced color;
ease of care;
high strength.

A significant disadvantage of the tapestry is its low color fastness. To preserve the brightness of the fiber, a sofa with such upholstery should not be placed on the illuminated side. This is worth considering before deciding which fabric is better to choose for the upholstery of the sofa.

Leather

Furniture upholstered in genuine leather is an indicator of the status of the owner. This sofa will last a very long time. Leather is a material of the highest category. It does not absorb odors, so it is perfect for the kitchen. Also, a leather sofa will delight a family with children: it is not afraid of moisture and pollution.

Upholstery benefits:

presentable appearance;
durability;
very easy maintenance.

The material may stick to the skin. With prolonged use, cracks may appear on the folds.

If funds or principles do not allow you to buy a sofa made of genuine leather, you should choose leatherette. The material is many times cheaper than natural, moreover, it has a larger number of textures and colors. Leatherette has almost all the advantages of genuine leather, with the exception of care: artificial leather requires more care.

What fabric to choose for sofa upholstery? A few simple tips will help you decide on a purchase.

When buying a sofa, the question arises which sofa upholstery fabric is better to choose. After all, the life of the sofa will depend on its quality.

The choice of the right upholstery fabric primarily depends on how you plan to use the sofa. I will give a few examples.

Living room sofa fabric. If the sofa will be used as a place to sit and relax, for example, then, first of all, the upholstery of such a sofa must be resistant to dirt and mechanical stress. Who doesn't like to eat while sitting on the couch at the TV screen, but here it's just - distracted by a match or favorite series and "OPS" - a piece of cutlet with ketchup instead of a mouth sent to the upholstery of the sofa. And friends with beer and fish, and a beloved cat or dog. Everyone wants to stain your favorite sofa. It's good when the fabric is not afraid of this. For intensive loads, fabrics made of synthetic fibers are well suited. They wash well and do not absorb odors and dirt.

sleep sofa upholstery fabric. Another example of the use of a sofa is a sofa for organizing a sleeping place. Such a sofa is not used as intensively as a sofa from the living room and therefore the criteria for providing comfortable rest and sleep are more important for its upholstery. The fabric of the sleeping sofa is preferably made from natural materials, or at least the composition of the upholstery fabric should contain at least 50% natural fibers. Flock fabric is not bad for a sleeping sofa. It does not lint and does not cause allergies, keeps its shape well and is suitable for daily use.

Fabric for a sofa in the nursery. The fabric of a children's sofa should be resistant to intense pollution. Kids love to improvise - paints and glue and a turtle with a hamster on the sofa are used here. But in addition to resistance to dirt, the fabric should not cause allergies, and if possible be natural. Often on children's sofas, cotton is used as upholstery. True, all natural fabrics do not tolerate pollution. As a way out, you can treat a sofa made of natural fabric with a special protective Teflon impregnation.

sofa upholstery fabric for kitchen. The upholstery of such a sofa should not absorb kitchen odors, be easy to clean and repel grease and dirt. Leatherette upholstery will do a good job with this task. Fabrics with absorbent surfaces for the kitchen are contraindicated.

I hope the principle of choosing the best fabric has become clear to you.

How to correctly evaluate the quality of fabric for sofa upholstery

From qualitative concepts - a good fabric or not very much, I will move on to a more important one - a quantitative evaluation system.

There are generally accepted characteristics by which one can judge the quality of the fabric of the sofa. Fabric testing is carried out by specialized independent companies. The result of their tests are numerical indicators of various characteristics of tissues.

Fabric manufacturers usually indicate the test parameters of their products in the quality certificate. When buying, you can ask the seller for it.

I will not dwell on the test methods, but only give their results. I collected the data in a small table

The main characteristics of fabrics that affect their performance properties

Fabric characteristic	unit of measurement	Badly	Medium	Good	Excellent
wear resistance- determines the resistance of the fabric to abrasion. In the test, the fabric is subjected to friction in a circular motion. Often in fabric passports, this indicator is called the Martindale test.	number of revolutions	≥ 15 000	≥ 20 000	≥ 30 000	≥ 40 000
Fabric density - indicator is very important. Determines the number of threads in the fabric per centimeter. The higher the density of the fabric, the higher the quality.	grams per square meter	less than 200	200-300	350-400	over 450
Rolling (pilling formation) determines the formation of pellets on the fabric. In the test, the fabric is subjected to dense friction and an assessment is made after 5000 revolutions.	peeling scale from 1 to 5	1 point	2 points	3-4 points	5 points
Seam strength. The ability of the seams to carry the load at break. Sewn pieces of fabric are stretched.	stretching in mm.	≥ 7 mm.	5-6 mm.	3-4 mm.	1-2 mm.
Tensile and tensile strength of the fabric. Characterizes the force that must be applied to tear the tissue when stretched to the sides	force (in N) and tissue elongation in %	350 N more than 80%	350 N 60-70%	350 N 45-50%	350 N less than 40%
Color fastness to abrasion. Determines the ability of a fabric to retain color when rubbed dry and wet.	friction scale from 1 to 5	1 point	2 points	3-4 points	5 points
Color fastness to light. The ability of a fabric to retain color when exposed to sunlight	light scale from 1 to 8	1 point	2-3 points	4 points	≥ 5 points
Dry clean color fastness. Describes the ability of a fabric to retain color when dry cleaned.	scale from 1 to 5	1 point	2-3 points	4 points	5 points
Fabric fire resistance, is its ability to withstand open fire. The higher this number, the better. Keep in mind that fire resistance classes are in order from 1 - the best to 5 - the worst	Class	5th grade	4th grade	2-3 grades	1 class

I would like to highlight Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 certificate. This is a European certificate, which is issued only if there are no harmful substances banned in the European Union in the fabrics. The presence of a certificate indicates the environmental safety of the fabric

Now you have the opportunity to evaluate the quality of fabric for a sofa using a system of characteristics and you can compare different fabrics with each other.

You can proceed to the consideration of upholstery fabrics and their properties.

Before the review, I want to draw your attention to the fact that and depends on the type and quality of the upholstery fabric. After all, the fabric, along with the filler, helps to keep this shape.

chenille

The name of the fabric comes from the name of the thread that is part of the fabric. Chenille ("chenille" - French caterpillar). The thread looks like a shaggy caterpillar, has a soft rounded surface. Chenille yarn, for the production of fabric, is made by twisting dense threads with chenille thread. As a result, an inextensible thread is obtained, which determines the properties of the future fabric. Chenilles have a complex composition (natural and synthetic fibers), approximately 50% - cotton, 50% - synthetics. Chenille - a fabric with a split pile is very dense and durable. The pile of fabric can be combed on a special machine.

Chenille can have two types of base:

fabric base- such a base is moisture resistant and withstands wet cleaning. The disadvantage of such a base is that it is not recommended to sleep on it all the time. Chenille with a fabric base from a long-term load can wrinkle and lose shape.
glued base- such a base is afraid of wet cleaning. Due to water, such a fabric can be deformed, and after cleaning the fabric will dry for a very long time.

Advantages of chenille

It has high wear resistance due to the presence of synthetic fibers.
On ecological properties it is close to natural fabrics.
Dust from chenille upholstery can be easily removed with a vacuum cleaner, soft brush or sponge.

Disadvantages of chenille

The disadvantages include not a rich color scheme of the fabric, although it is quite acceptable for a moderate interior.
When buying, it is very difficult to find out what kind of base the chosen chenille has. As a result, you can buy a fabric that is not suitable for your purposes.
The fabric does not tolerate the impact of the claws of pets - the threads can be pulled out

Rogozhka

Gunny is a dense fabric with a fine texture. Usually monophonic. A characteristic difference between matting is the presence of thick fibers and a rather coarse weaving of threads. The fabric has increased elasticity and does not wrinkle at all for a long time, keeps its shape perfectly. Caring for matting is simple, there is no need to use special solutions and other means.

Advantages of matting

High strength and wear resistance
Ease of care

Disadvantages of matting

Weak colors

Velours

Velvety, pleasant to the touch, soft fabric. The pile can be located vertically throughout the fabric or in some areas smoothed to one side. The pile is embossed, combed on a stencil or laid in a variety of patterns, so velor can be smooth, shaped, embossed, etc. Cotton and woolen velours are used for upholstery of upholstered furniture.

Advantages of velor

The ease of care of this fabric is achieved through the use of high-tech fibers in its composition, which have antistatic and anti-allergic properties.
Velor has a very high abrasion threshold, any dirt is easily removed from the surface of the fabric, which allows you to use this fabric for many years.

Velor Disadvantages

High price
Low resistance to mechanical point loads. Animal claws, injections, etc.

Flock (substitute for velvet)

It is an upholstery fabric with a polyester and cotton backing (usually 35% cotton, 65% synthetic) to which the pile is applied electrostatically. First, a canvas is made from a cotton thread of a rare linen weave (“mesh”). It is impregnated with glue and stretched in an electromagnetic field, where a pile is sprayed onto it. The result is a neutral white pile fabric. Then the fabric is printed.

Advantages of flock

Keeps shape permanent
Easy to wash.
Has good light fastness
Has water repellent properties
Has a dense structure
Possesses good antistatic properties - resistant to dust
Paint durability; brightness of colors
Health safety.

Teflon flock (curtisan)

A modern look of upholstery fabric. Belongs to the fabrics of a new generation. Fabric fibers have Teflon protection at the molecular level. Due to the presence of Teflon, Curtisan perfectly tolerates pollution. easy to clean. One of the qualities of this fabric is its good resistance to pet claws. If you have animals in your house, take a closer look at Teflon flock sofas.

Tapestry

One of those natural natural upholstery fabrics. The tapestry is distinguished by the correct interweaving of yarn with a figure or an ornamental composition and many different shades and colors. It can be washed. The tapestry is practical, durable, pleasant to the touch. The ability of the fabric to take almost any shape, its plasticity, allow it to be used everywhere: on upholstered furniture, chairs, walls, in various decorative elements.

Advantages of a tapestry

naturalness
Attractive appearance

Tapestry Disadvantages

Low resistance to heavy loads
Does not tolerate wet and intensive cleaning
High price

Jacquard

Fabric with a complex pattern of a large report (vertical and horizontal repetition of the pattern). This is achieved by interlacing the longitudinal and transverse warp threads in a predetermined order. According to the composition of the raw material, the fabric can be homogeneous or mixed, for example, polyester with viscose, cotton or acrylic. Jacquard is one of the expensive fabrics. Such fabrics are very strong and durable, not whimsical in operation. Jacquard is used for upholstery of expensive furniture.

Advantages of jacquard

It has high strength and durability.
Has a rich range of colors. Looks expensive and unique

Disadvantages of jacquard

The high price of the material. You have to pay for beauty.
The fabric does not like intensive cleaning. As a result of diligence when cleaning, the fabric may change color.

Thermal jacquard and scotchguard

These types of upholstery are improved types of jacquard.

Thermo jacquard obtained by thermal dyeing jacquard. Drawing under the influence of high temperature is transferred to the primary tissue. The result is a stable fabric surface.

scotchguard it is a jacquard covered with a transparent impregnation, which creates a protective film on the fabric, protecting it from dirt and wear. At the same time, all the aesthetic charm of jacquard is preserved. Scotchguard is well suited for sofas with very heavy use, such as the sofa in the living room.

Boucle

The fabric - boucle is similar to a sheared lamb. Boucle means curl in French. A characteristic feature of this tissue is the presence of dense, protruding nodules on the surface of the tissue. The fabric has an original decorative look. A particularly decorative effect is achieved through the use of threads of different colors. Boucle is a fairly durable material.

Advantages of a boucle

original appearance
low price

Disadvantages of boucle

Afraid of sharp objects. Contact may cause puffs on the fabric.
Due to the porous surface, the fabric is quite easily soiled.
In case of contamination, immediately remove stains with a clean cloth using mild soap;
Stains are not recommended to be rubbed, they must be blotted, then (if necessary) treated with soapy water using a soft sponge and blotted again with a clean cloth.

A natural skin

Genuine leather is the main facing material for the manufacture of high-quality, "prestigious" upholstered furniture.

Advantages of natural leather

Prestigious appearance.
Efficient and durable in operation.
Durable, not afraid of prolonged loads
Easy to clean.

Disadvantages of genuine leather

High price
And perhaps the fact that it is not very comfortable to sit on a leather sofa without clothes.

Artificial leather (imitation leather, leatherette)

Material with one-sided monolithic or porous PVC coating on cotton and polyester knitted bases. Artificial leather is not inferior in terms of performance to genuine leather, a fairly wear-resistant material intended for both household furniture and furniture in public spaces.

Advantages of artificial leather

High resistance to dirt and stress.
The surface does not absorb odors and dirt
Cleans well

Disadvantages of faux leather

Solid colors
Afraid of sunlight and high temperatures
It is not comfortable to sit without outerwear, especially in hot and cold weather.

eco-leather

This type of fabric is very similar to genuine leather, and in terms of environmental friendliness it is not inferior to it.

This material is obtained by applying porous polyurethane to a base of dense cotton fabric. The result is a wear-resistant, temperature-resistant fabric with a breathable surface that is well breathable, which contributes to its impeccable environmental friendliness.

The texture of the surface and in appearance and tactile sensations resembles natural leather. The only significant difference is the price. Eco-leather is several times cheaper than genuine leather.

Arpatek

Initially, this material was developed for car seat upholstery.

Arpatek belongs to the category of artificial leather. The fabric has unique characteristics in terms of light resistance, abrasion resistance, tear strength. It feels like leather with perfect dressing. The materials for the manufacture of arpatek are viscose, cotton and polyurethane in proportions of 42% -33% -25%.

Microfiber (artificial or furniture suede)

Modern analogue of natural suede. Appeared in 1976 in Japan. The fabric has a low pile surface, its structure consists of many micro-pores. Due to micropores, the fabric has high strength and performance characteristics.

As a rule, microfiber is coated with Teflon impregnation to create a protective film on the surface of the fabric, which gives it good characteristics in terms of resistance to abrasion and stress. The material does not fade, repels dirt and grease.

Microfiber is perfect for sofas with heavy loads - in the living room or children's rooms

Cotton

Natural material. It is well dyed and breathes. The main disadvantage of cotton is its short service life. To improve the characteristics of cotton, manufacturers cover it with an impregnation that prevents paint from wiping and premature wear. Cotton is most often used for children's sofas. Firstly, the material is environmentally friendly and harmless to children, and a short service life will require replacement along with the changing needs of a grown child. Sofa for growth.

Well, now go for it!