What are the most durable fabrics for upholstered furniture

The fabric used in furniture upholstery is one of the most important factors to consider before buying a piece. Ensuring that the fabric of your sofa or chair will last for many years will save you time and money. Also, choosing the wrong material will result in splits and colour fading. 

Although the upholstery fabric can be changed and reupholstered, picking a durable fabric is an excellent investment. Using a higher rub count fabric will assure you that your furniture will last for years to come. 

Upholstered furniture used in the living room and family room requires a durable fabric. With this, these pieces must be upholstered in a long-lasting and tightly woven material. 

There are lots of upholstery fabric to choose from. This list will guide you in selecting the most durable materials for upholstered furniture. 

1. Cotton 
Cotton is an excellent choice for upholstery fabric. It can withstand wear, tear, and fade. Aside from this, cotton is also one of the most affordable upholstery fabrics out there. Cotton can be prone to getting stains, but using a stain-resistant finish will make your furniture last longer. Heavier cotton weave like in sailcloth and denim tends to be more durable. Choose pure cotton for better quality. 

2. Leather 
Although leather can be costly, it gives a smooth and classy covering for couches. Leather is a very durable fabric, especially if taken care of properly. This fabric becomes softer as time goes by, and it is water-resistant and easy to maintain too. Leather is an excellent choice if you have pets and kids since it hides away scratches. 

3. Microfibre
Aside from leather, microfibre is also one of the most durable fabrics for upholstery. Microfibre is a synthetic fabric that is created specifically for heavy-duty use. This fabric is water repellant which means it does not allow liquids to seep through. Its tightly woven fibres make it challenging for pets to scratch through its surface. 

3. Olefin 
Olefin is widely used in upholstery. It looks like wool and is very durable as well. This fabric has no significant downside. If your furniture receives heavy usage, olefin is an excellent choice. Furniture with olefin upholstery will surely last long. 

The easiest way to make sure that your upholstery fabric is durable is by testing it yourself. Spend time in checking the quality of the material before making a purchase, order samples, ask friends and family. Let your pets claw the material, spill drinks and ketchup, this is how to get an idea of wear and tear.

Remember that the more tightly woven the fabric, the more durable it is. 

Also, make sure to buy a fabric with a high thread count. To know how strong it is, stretch the material and see if it is tightly woven. In addition, one of the methods to determine if the fabric is durable is by sitting on it. The furniture will go back to its original form if the fabric used is durable. 

If you are looking for durable upholstery fabrics for your furniture, the Yorkshire Fabric Shop offers a wide variety of fabrics. Check out all our upholstery fabrics on our very own Fabric Finder wizard, click a few options and look at your options.