Have you been thinking about buying a sofa? If your answer is yes, then you have a very difficult task ahead of you. You will have to figure out what you are looking for in a couch, pick out a colour and style that works with your space, and select an upholstery fabric that meets your needs best. Fortunately, this article should make it a bit easier for you!
Here, you will find a list of materials that furniture manufacturers use to make sofas, ranging from natural fibres like silk and cotton to synthetic fabrics like rayon and polyester. Check it out! Once you are done reading, you should be able to find a couch that meets every one of your personal requirements in no time, and if you need some additional help, you can check out Mattress Reviews
Cotton
This material might appear to be old-fashioned and boring, but it can look just as glamorous as silk. The thing is that you have to go for a high-quality fabric that is tightly woven. Otherwise, your sofa will look fuzzy and dull, and it will not be that durable.
However, the main benefit of using cotton for upholstery is not its appearance but the fact that it is breathable. Because of that, it allows any heat and moisture to move away from your skin, which makes for a comfortable and practical piece of furniture.
Silk
Silk fabrics are among the most expensive upholstery fabrics out there, but they are definitely worth the money. First of all, they are very sturdy, and it should come as no surprise. Many different bugs produce silk fibre to build and secure their homes.
Second of all, when used in upholstery applications, silk fibre can give any piece of furniture a very unique and glamorous look. Due to that fact, it is going to be an excellent choice if you are a fan of more sophisticated interior design ideas.
Linen
Linen is one of the most popular natural upholstery materials out there. It looks great, it feels nice, and it is pretty durable. On top of that, the flax plants that linen is made out of use less water than many other plants and require little to no chemical use, making it quite eco-friendly.
Taking this into account, you might want to consider getting a sofa that was upholstered in linen. Ideally, it should be a blend of linen and cotton. Fabrics made out of one-hundred per cent linen are not very elastic, which causes them to wrinkle quite a bit.
Leather
Upholstery leather is an easy-to-clean material that is prized for its versatility, luxurious appearance, and durability. Its different kinds are used in the manufacturing process of not only furniture, but boats, cars, and aircraft, too!
If you want a stylish and comfortable sofa, it would be best if you went for genuine leather. It might cost you a large sum of money, but it is definitely worth considering. Unlike faux leather, genuine leather is completely breathable and resistant to wear.
Olefin
Olefin is an eco-friendly fabric made from gas propylene, which is a waste material leftover from oil production. Thanks to the process of upcycling, it can be turned into synthetic fibres. No land and no water are used in their production, making olefin one of the greenest textiles out there.
Unlike most upholstery fabrics in this article, olefin was designed for both outdoor and indoor use. Because of that, it is extremely durable. Thus, if you are looking for an eco-friendly and durable sofa, look for one that was upholstered in olefin!
Velour
Velour can be both natural and synthetic. Usually, it is made from cotton, but it can be made from synthetic fibres like polyester. Its main benefit is its price. In spite of the fact that it is commonly confused for velvet, it is much cheaper.
If you are looking for a sofa that will not put a dent in your budget despite its luxurious look, you should buy one that was upholstered in velour. It will be incredibly soft and drape seamlessly, which will make the couch fit the most luxurious spaces.
Nylon
Just like olefin, this fabric is incredibly durable. In addition to that, it is very breathable, which will make your sofa comfortable to sit on, no matter the weather. Combined with natural fibres, nylon is used to create woven fabrics, knits, and velvets.
Unfortunately, it has its fair share of disadvantages, the biggest one being the fact that it is not easy to clean. It is rather porous and absorbs fluids better than most other fabrics, which turns cleaning it into a huge pain in the neck.
Rayon
Rayon is a material that is more than two centuries old. In fact, it was the first manufactured fibre in history! It was not favoured by textile manufacturers for many years, though it is already coming back strong and used in both upholstery fabrics and clothing.
The main strength of rayon is the fact that it can mimic silk but does not cost as much. On top of that, it dyes easily, which means that it can be used to add highlights to blended fabrics. Sadly, it has one major flaw, and that is its lack of resiliency. Water-based cleaners, spills, and even perspiration can cause the fabric to distort and make your sofa look very unsightly.
Acrylic
If you are looking for a stylish sofa, consider choosing one that was upholstered in acrylics! They are amazing upholstery fabrics that are soft to the touch, quick-drying, and resistant to fading.
It is worth noting that acrylics come in many varieties that have different properties. For instance, an acrylic that was woven very tightly is characterized by water repellency, which can be boosted if the acrylic is treated with chemical and topical additives. Taking this into account, it is safe to say that acrylic is a versatile fabric with plenty of benefits.
Polyester
Buying a sofa that was upholstered in polyester is an excellent option if you are on a tight budget. It is breathable and highly durable, which makes for a sofa that can maintain its quality and beauty for many years to come.
Unfortunately, polyester upholstery is vulnerable to heat. Its fibres do not have the heat tolerance that natural fibres do. If you spill a hot substance on the upholstery, it might burn and melt it, resulting in severe damage.
In Conclusion
There are many different types of materials that are used to produce sofas, and the upholstery fabrics are the most interesting ones out of the bunch. They determine what the sofa will feel like, what it will look like, and how much it will cost you. Because of that, familiarizing yourself with their properties is essential if you want to buy a couch that you will be satisfied with.
For instance, if you have money to spare and need a piece of furniture that looks luxurious and stylish, then you might want to go for a sofa that was upholstered in either genuine leather or silk. On the other hand, if you want to save money and want your furniture to be durable, consider buying a couch that was upholstered in polyester.
