How To Choose The Best Upholstery For Your Sectional Sofa
TABLE OF CONTENT
- Different Types Of Upholstery Materials
- Synthetic Upholstery Fabric
- Natural Fiber Upholstery Fabric
- Factors To Check While Choosing The Best Upholstery For Your Sectional Sofa
- Wrapping Up
Upholstering your sectional sofa is no joke. Because buying an upholstered sectional is different from choosing fabric and upholstering it. But why should we change your sectional sofa's upholstery?
With time, the sectional loses its grace, which would be quite visible. So, you need to replace it. Or maybe you want to change it to match your newly decorated room. Whatever reason you have in mind, remember to choose the best fabric that fits your requirements.
But what are the requirements? What are the things to check?
Well, a few checks must be made before finalizing, including color, texture, style, how durable the fabric is, etc. For instance, the moment you sit on a sectional sofa, you feel the smoothness or softness of the upholstery, right? This is why you must not overlook these factors. In the end, two things matter: style and comfort.
With so many different materials, colors, and patterns, deciding which upholstery is right for you can be overwhelming. This is why we have explained the factors to consider when choosing the best upholstery for your sectional sofa.
And when you're ready to shop, you can just check over our sectional sofa collections of the year. Now start scrolling!
Know The Different Types Of Upholstery Materials
Before choosing a suitable fabric, you must know the different types available in the first place. Below we have given a gist of the different types of upholstery materials. For a more detailed guide on different types of sofa fabric, you can refer here.
Synthetic Upholstery Fabric
POLYESTER
Polyester is known for its durability and resistance to wrinkles, stains, and fading. It is easy to clean and maintain. So, your sectional sofa will withstand regular use and still look as good as new.
MICROFIBERS
One of the biggest problems with upholstery material is how it looks after lots of use. As for microfibers, they are durable and comfortable and you need not worry about color fading. Also, they are extremely fine fibers known for their softness, durability, and resistance to stains and wrinkles.
NYLON
Nylon is also durable, resistant to wear and tear, lightweight, inexpensive, and easy to clean. It is often preferred in high-traffic areas, which refers to spaces that experience a lot of foot traffic or use, considering their durable nature.
OLEFIN
Do you know that Olefin is 100% recyclable and eco-friendly? Also, it is resistant to stains, moisture, and fading. Since it is also lightweight, breathable, and easy to wash and disinfect, it is a popular outdoor furniture choice.
ACRYLIC
Acrylic is a synthetic fiber similar in texture to wool and is often preferred for outdoor furniture. Because it is resistant to mildew, fading, and stains.
VINYL
Vinyl is a synthetic material often used in upholstery because of its water resistance and durability. Given its durability and fade-resistant features, this upholstery material will easily last for years if maintained properly.
RAYON
Did you know that Rayon is a man-made fiber? It is known for its softness and comfort. Also, it's highly absorbent and has a luxurious feel.
Natural Fiber Upholstery Fabric
LEATHER
Leather is expensive because it's naturally durable and good-looking. Besides this, it is highly resistant to stains and is easy to clean and maintain.
COTTON
Cotton is a popular natural upholstery fabric known for its softness and comfort.
LINEN
Linen is a natural fabric that is lightweight, breathable, and highly absorbent. If you prefer a crisp, clean look, choose this fabric.
JUTE
Jute is also a natural fiber highly preferred for upholstery because of its durability and natural texture. It is also highly absorbent and has a unique look and feel.
SILK
If you prefer a luxurious-looking sectional sofa, silk fabric is worth considering.
Silk fabric is also a natural fabric that is soft, highly absorbent, and has a luxurious feel. But it isn't as durable as other natural fabrics. It's also suggested to avoid very light and sheer silks.
HEMP
Hemp is a natural fiber. It can be chosen for outdoor furniture for its strength, durability, resistance to mildew, and natural resistance to UV rays.
WOOL
Warmth, durability, and resistance to stains and wrinkles are what wool material promises. The best part is it gives a luxurious feel.
Factors To Check While Choosing The Best Upholstery For Your Sectional Sofa
1. What Is Your Budget?
First things first. Setting a budget helps you to determine your fabric choice. As you know, that are different types of upholstery fabrics that vary in price. You have more options, from simple yet elegant cotton fabric to luxe-looking fabrics such as velvet.
If your budget is limited, your color choice will be limited. Meanwhile, you get hundreds of options if you have a bigger budget.
2. How Durable Must Your Sectional Sofa Fabric Be?
Considering the durability factor is crucial. Especially if your sectional sofa is going to be used frequently. And yes, this factor mainly depends on the type of fabric you will use. Check the thread count, which refers to the number of threads per square inch of fabric. The denser the fabric, the longer it lasts.
Durable materials such as microfiber, leather, or polyester blends are good options. Because they are less likely to show wear and tear. Woven patterns are naturally more durable than printed ones because they have higher thread counts and tight weaves.
- If you use your sectional sofa solely, think of luxury upholstery material. Choose between leather, velvet, and cotton. But remember that at some point, you need professional cleaning.
- If your pets share your sectional sofa with you, we recommend microfiber fabric, smooth cotton fabric, or leather. Because it can withstand extra wear and tear and, if needed washed and cleaned.
- If the sectional sofa is placed outdoors, remember that dark colors will fade when exposed to sunlight directly.
So, a lighter shade or a fade-resistant fabric will be more apt.
3. Do You Have Allergies?
Natural blends and fluffy textures are super soft and offer immense comfort. But if you are allergic to them, you will be uncomfortable. Also, natural fibers absorb dust, pet hair, and dirt quickly.
If you have sensitive or allergic to them, choose synthetic fabrics. Even faux suede will be a popular fabric that refrains from attracting dust and dirt.
Note: If you have a pet dog, avoid using fur-sticking fabrics. We recommend using denim, canvas, and outdoor fabrics such as Sunbrella. These fabrics resist fur from sticking on them and are easy to wipe. Another tip is to try to get a tight weave fabric – avoid boucle, knits, and wide weaves that have texture.
4. What’s Your Room’s Style?
As already mentioned, when hunting for a sectional sofa, keep two things in mind: comfort and style.
Furniture in a living room is a style element and the first thing you lounge in after coming home. And choosing the right fabric is like picking the perfect outfit for your sofa to match the whole vibe of your room.
If you want your sectional to steal the show in your living space, wrap it with a bold statement that can set a cozy mood. And yes, the color of the fabric type is the secret sauce that either makes your room stand out or fizzles out.
As for the style, if your living room looks modern, choose leather or microfiber upholstery. Meanwhile, if your room is more of a traditional style, classic pattered fabric works well. Since it's fabric, you have more options to choose from.
A leather sectional sofa can have a luxurious feel. On the other hand, a bright and colorful fabric can create a cheerful vibe. If you prefer a more classic or traditional look, a neutral fabric with clean lines will make you fall in love.
5. Is The Fabric Non-Toxic?
Many brands have non-toxic labels. This indicates that the fabric has no harmful chemicals or toxins that aren't safe for the environment or health. But there's a catch. These labels do not necessarily guarantee that the fabric is harmless. This is why checking whether the fabrics are Oeko-Tex or Bluesign Certified is important.
Oeko-Tex is an international organization. It sets standards for the safety and sustainability of textiles. Bluesign is a similar certification program focusing on the sustainability and safety of the entire textile supply chain. Only a few brands take the next step to ensure the fabric is sustainable, non-hazardous, and formaldehyde-free.
6. Color, Color What Color Do You Choose?
Like style, the color greatly impacts the room's atmosphere and vibe.
Did you know that color indirectly influences your mood? There are so many studies that prove this. For instance, red can add energy and excitement, while blue can be as calm as the sea. Neutral colors are now trending for a good reason; people are loving simplicity and a classy look. In fact, this color has a huge fan base as it easily fits a modern room and improvises the tone.
In short, a bold color makes a statement, and a neutral color can give an elegant look. While choosing the color, check if it fits your preferences, the walls, flooring, and other accessories present. But be extra careful while choosing color because you don’t want it to collide with other furniture in your room and make it look shabby.
7. How Easy Is The Fabric To Clean And Maintain?
The level of ease in cleaning sofa fabric depends on the particular type of fabric, the degree of soiling or staining, and the texture, weave, and color of the fabric. Some materials are more resistant to staining and more accessible to clean than others.
In particular, textured and patterned fabrics can be more forgiving than solid colors and smooth fabrics. This is because they can hide stains and dirt more easily. So are you looking for a sectional sofa fabric that is easy to clean? Consider synthetic fabrics. Because synthetic materials such as polyester, nylon, and leather are generally more effortless to clean than natural fabrics like cotton and linen.
Some fabric comes with cleaning codes. These codes recommend a particular cleaning method, such as spot or dry cleaning.
8. The Fabric Texture Is Also Important
Nobody would want to relax on a hard-surfaced sectional. This is why you must check the texture of the upholstery. Otherwise, it can affect your sectional sofa's overall look and feel. Consider the tactile qualities of the fabric, and choose one that feels comfortable to the touch.
Wrapping Up
Choosing the best upholstery for your sectional sofa can be demanding, but it doesn't have to be daunting. Have the proper considerations such as durability, comfort, and style in your mind.
Picking the perfect material that will complement your space and stand the test of time is crucial. Other things to check while choosing the upholstery material are your lifestyle, your personal preferences, and your budget when making your decision.
Whether you choose leather, microfiber, silk velvet, or any other option. Ensure you research and pick a high-quality material that fits your needs.
