3 Things To Consider When Choosing Fabric For Furniture

One of the benefits of designing custom furniture for your home is the ability to tailor-make everything to your lifestyle and needs. There are so many choices available that choosing upholstery fabric for a sofa can sometimes become overwhelming. Choosing the wrong fabric could lead to regret or an expensive reupholstering bill. Luckily, there are three things to consider to help you narrow your fabric choices.

1. Colour

When we’re referring to colour, we’re talking about the visual elements of the fabric. It’s common to see solid colours in larger pieces like sofas and patterns or vibrant colours on dining chairs, accent chairs, benches, or headboards. When the larger items in a space are solid colours, you have more flexibility to design with brighter colours and patterns around them with more flexibility. However, don’t discount a patterned fabric for a larger sofa. If you have kids and pets at home, a pattern can add sophistication while being more forgiving to a busy lifestyle. 

2. Texture

Texture refers to the visual elements of fabric and the tactile feel. A material such as a bouclé has a clear visual and tactile texture. It’s crucial to consider what ‘feel’ you like visually and physically in a space. Are you looking for a smooth and soft material, a more organic material, or something more robust and masculine? Not everyone likes the feel of leather on a sofa; in some cases, certain fabrics will not make sense for the piece’s functionality. Remember that texture will also play a big role in the cleaning requirements and maintenance of the material. 

3. Durability

Durability is a crucial consideration when choosing upholstery for furniture. Items like bench seats in bedrooms can feature a less durable fabric as they are in low-traffic areas. When we consider dining chairs and sofas, we want to consider the lifestyle and use these items will see. For example, a home with pets will need a durable material that can withstand paws and is easy to clean frequently. Luckily, many high-performance fabrics are on the market now, so you don’t need to sacrifice style for practicality.

Designing custom furniture pieces for our homes can be stressful. Committing to fabric and style can take time, and it should! Ultimately, the most important thing to remember when choosing furniture is the intended purpose and your lifestyle. You don’t want to choose a fabric for your sofa and then cover it in blankets because you’re worried about the pets damaging it. If you have pets, opt for a high-performance fabric specifically designed to be easy to clean. There are great stain-resistant fabrics, making them the perfect choice for a family home with kids or a dining room chair if you entertain a lot. 

Where to start:

Even with these upholstery picking tips, choosing fabric for your furnishings can be time-consuming and confusing. Our design specialists at Luxe have years of experience and know how to match the fabric to the design aesthetic and lifestyle. We have many samples in the showroom, so you can touch and feel them to be sure the texture and colour are the right fit. We offer complimentary design services so you can design furniture perfect for your home. Visit us in the showroom or get in touch today.