Buying custom upholstered furniture has many benefits, including higher quality materials and workmanship, better durability, long-term cost savings, uniqueness, and convenience. However, perhaps the greatest strength that custom furniture has over mass-produced furniture is that it can be crafted to fit your specific needs and tastes. There are many choices you get to make when ordering a custom upholstered piece of furniture, but none of them are more significant than picking the fabric that will be used in its construction. Therefore it is important to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the many different types of upholstery fabric available on the market. Our upholstery experts have created this upholstery materials guide so that you can be an informed decision-maker next time you order a piece of custom furniture from Howard’s Upholstery.
Natural Upholstery Fabric
Cotton Upholstery Furniture
Cotton is a natural fiber made from the cotton plant and it is one of the most popular upholstery materials around. It is so popular because it is affordable, durable, soft, breathable, and can be easily dyed to match any color. Cotton can sometimes stain and become wrinkled, but some stain remover and a steamer or iron can get cotton looking brand new again. Organic and recycled cotton are also relatively environmentally friendly options when compared with many other materials.
Leather Upholstery
Leather is another popular natural upholstery material. It is made from chemically treated animal skins and is arguably the most durable natural upholstery fabric available. Leather is also resistant to stains and spills–even pet hair can be easily vacuumed from its surface. It can also be dyed to match many different colors. Leather is more expensive than other upholstery materials, but the durability you get will make a leather couch or chair last decades. Additionally, though leather is vulnerable to some scratch damage, these scratches are often seen as a positive and add character and age to the look of your furniture. Though leather is not as soft as many other available materials, its unique feel is quite comfortable to relax upon.
Silk Upholstery Fabric
Silk is a luxurious and soft but expensive natural upholstery fabric option extracted from silkworms. It is best suited for furniture in low-traffic areas of the home because it is delicate and will require professional dry cleaning if it is stained. On the other hand, silk upholstery furniture can be a status symbol. Plus, if silk furniture is properly maintained and protected, it can last a very long time without fading or deteriorating.
Artificial Upholstery Fabric
Polyester Upholstery Fabric
One of the most popular artificial upholstery fabrics is polyester. Polyester is a plastic-derived synthetic fiber that is often blended with other materials like cotton. The material is so popular because it is soft, easy to clean, wrinkle-resistant, durable, and resistant to water, fire, and mold damage. It is, however, more expensive than many other types of fabric and is vulnerable to many of the same environmental criticisms as other plastic products. Overall, however, it is a solid choice for your next upholstery project.
Velvet Upholstery
Velvet is an upholstery fabric made of a combination of materials including linen, cotton, wool, and various synthetic fibers. It is luxurious and expensive like silk, but it is thicker and more durable. The material is sought after because it is soft, regal, and beautiful. It is also an insulator that maintains its temperature and is well known for its eye-catching colors. Still, like silk, velvet is difficult to maintain, less durable than other materials, and consequently not the best choice for furniture that will be used often.
Artificial & Bonded Leather Upholstery
Artificial leather upholstery, made of materials like polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride, is an inexpensive and animal-rights-friendly alternative to traditional leather. It looks and feels a lot like real leather with the added benefit of being a bit less vulnerable to cracking than traditional leather. Artificial leather is also stain-resistant like real leather. On the other hand, it is less durable and will show its age more quickly. Another option is bonded leather made from a mix of genuine and artificial leather. Bonded leather is made from materials leftover from the creation of genuine leather and is more environmentally friendly than natural or artificial leather alone. Bonded leather is also softer than regular leather and provides a middle ground in terms of price and durability. It is not as expensive as genuine leather but it is also not as durable.
Let Howard’s Upholstery Be Your Upholstery Fabric Guide
There are other upholstery materials on the market you may also want to consider for your custom upholstery like wool, linen, jute, olefin, nylon, acrylic, rayon, and more. If you are still unsure exactly what material is best for your next custom upholstery project, contact Howard’s Upholstery so we can talk to you about your furniture needs and desires to help you make an informed decision.
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