There are countless types of upholstery fabric on the market. Whether it's for indoor or outdoor use, each fabric type offers its own unique features and benefits.
Below are 13 common types of upholstery and the most common ways they are used. As with most fabrics, however, the options below can be used for a multitude of your clients’ projects.
Most Common Types of Upholstery Fabric
Acrylic Upholstery Fabric
Acrylic is a synthetic fiber known for its water resistance and colorfastness. It’s also incredibly durable and mildew resistant. Acrylic is often used to weave fabric for outdoor furniture, especially in high-traffic areas.
- Pros: Durable, resistant to sunlight and staining, ideal for outdoor furniture.
- Cons: Can feel less natural, potential pilling over time.
Polyester Upholstery Fabric
Polyester is a highly versatile synthetic fiber that can be found just about anywhere. It is commonly used in upholstery fabrics destined for living room furniture because of its abrasion resistance and ability to retain color over time.
- Pros: Resistant to fading and wrinkling, durable, often stain resistant.
- Cons: Can trap odors, prone to oil-based stains.
Cotton Upholstery Fabric
Cotton is a natural fiber that has a longstanding reputation for its softness and comfort. Though it’s not as abrasion-resistant as some synthetic materials, cotton upholstery fabric is still used in many casual settings due to its cleanability and hypoallergenic properties.
- Pros: Comfortable, breathable, and dyeable in various colors.
- Cons: Prone to staining and wear, less resistant to sunlight.
Chenille Yarn in Upholstery Fabric
Chenille is a soft, tufted style of yarn used in upholstery fabric for its distinctive plush feel and velvety appearance. As such, this fabric is often used for living room sofas, ottomans, and other heavily used indoor furniture.
- Pros: Soft, textured feel, durable, good for heavy use.
- Cons: Can snag and become distorted.
Olefin Upholstery Fabric
Olefin is yet another synthetic fiber renowned for creating stain-resistant and durable upholstery fabric. It can be an excellent choice for furniture that sees heavy use, especially in home decor where durability and longevity is absolutely crucial.
- Pros: Highly durable, resistant to moisture and mildew, good for heavy-duty upholstery.
- Cons: Limited in variety, can become heat-damaged.
Rayon Upholstery Fabric
Developed as a cheaper alternative to silk, rayon is a synthetic fiber often used in fabric blends to add a luxurious feel to furniture upholstery.
- Pros: Soft and comfortable, imitates silk, linen, and cotton.
- Cons: Prone to wrinkling, not highly durable.
Microfiber Upholstery Fabric
Created in 1986, microfiber is a synthetic fiber with ultra thin filaments making microfiber fabrics very popular for heavy-use furniture and households that have children and/or pets.
- Pros: Stain-resistant, soft, and comfortable, good for homes with pets.
- Cons: Can be challenging to repair if torn.
Jacquard Woven Upholstery Fabric
Jacquard is a type of weave characterized by intricate patterns woven directly into the upholstery fabric using a special Jacquard loom. This weaving technique allows for a wide variety of complex yet durable fabric designs adding style and personality to any application.
- Pros: Sophisticated look, durable, maintains design over time.
- Cons: More expensive, sometimes requires professional cleaning.
Acetate Upholstery Fabric
Derived from the flax plant, acetate fiber has a silky feel and is typically reserved for formal interior design projects. It’s not known to be the most durable fabric for furniture applications, but the decadent feel makes it a top choice.
- Pros: Resistant to mildew and pilling, fairly inexpensive.
- Cons: Not very durable, prone to sun damage and stains.
Faux Leather Upholstery Fabric
As the name suggests, faux leather is an artificial, engineered fabric that closely resembles the look and feel of leather. This fabric is often used to upholster weather-exposed or water-prone furniture because it’s water resistant, easy to clean, and very durable.
- Pros: Easy to clean, less expensive than real leather, animal-friendly.
- Cons: Can crack over time, less breathable than real leather.
Linen Upholstery Fabric
Similar to acetate, linen is made from flax plant fibers. It’s beloved for its elegance and earthy look. Further, it’s a natural fabric, so it’s eco-friendly. In most cases, it’s used in lightly trafficked areas because of its lower abrasion resistance.
- Pros: Natural, lightweight, and has an elegant look.
- Cons: Prone to wrinkling and staining, not ideal for heavy use.
Jute Fiber Fabric
Jute is another eco-friendly and natural fiber that’s texturally coarse and often used in home decor for a rustic look.
- Pros: Natural, durable, and has a unique, rustic appearance.
- Cons: Rough texture, not suitable for all types of furniture.
Suede Leather Fabric
Jute is another eco-friendly and natural fiber that’s texturally coarse and often used in home decor for a rustic look.
- Pros: Natural, durable, and has a unique, rustic appearance.
- Cons: Rough texture, not suitable for all types of furniture.
Find The Right Fabric For Your Clients With Trivantage
At the end of the day, your ideal upholstery fabric depends on the project. However, understanding the different types of upholstery fabrics and their uses can make it easier to choose the right upholstery material for your clients’ tastes and needs.
At Trivantage, we offer an incredible array of fabric options to suit every need and type of upholstery project; from indoor furniture & performance drapery, to restaurant booths & boat cushions. Our top brands include:
- Sunbrella® Upholstery Fabrics: High-quality, industry-leading acrylic-blend fabrics designed to withstand the elements and everyday use, making them perfect for both indoor and outdoor use.
- Aura Textured Vinyl Upholstery Fabrics: With a backing made from 100% polyester and a surface composition of 100% phthalate-free PVC, the resilient upholstery fabric exclusive to Trivantage resists abrasion and features a high tear strength and breaking strength.
- Phifertex® Sling Fabrics: Made from durable vinyl-coated polyester, these sling chair fabrics are infused with Microban® antimicrobial protection keeping the fabric cleaner for longer.
Choose Trivantage to bring your clients’ visions to life. Explore our vast selection of upholstery fabrics and find the perfect material today.
