How to Choose the Right Sofa Fabric

The frame of a sofa is important, but the fabric is what really makes it work for you and your family. A good sofa fabric should feel soft and luxurious while addressing your sofa's performance needs, such as stain resistance and cleaning ease. Here's what to know about the different types of upholstery fabrics, and how to choose the best one for your home.

Fabric sofas are more affordable than leather options and come in a wide array of colors, patterns, and textures. With so many choices, it can be hard to decide which fabric is right for you. When deciding on a fabric, consider your sofa's location and usage. This will help you determine if you need a durable sofa fabric, or if a more delicate option would suit your space better.

According to Grace Hoffend, a designer with Article, some of the most popular fabrics for sofas include linen and cotton. These materials are known for their breathability in warm climates and their ease of maintenance and cleaning. However, not all fabrics are created equal, and some may require a bit more upkeep than others. To gauge a fabric's durability, you can look at its rub test score, which measures how well it resists wear and tear.

To get a better sense of what a sofa's material will feel like, Hoffend recommends asking to touch the fabric. She says that this helps you understand the hand of the fabric and how it will drape over the sofa. She also suggests looking at the thread makeup, which can provide a lot of information about the hand and durability of a fabric. This is especially important if you're shopping online and can't try out the fabric in person.

When considering the thread makeup of a fabric, you should keep in mind that certain weaves will feel different than other kinds of fabrics. For example, a plain or twill woven fabric will be thicker and more durable than a satin woven fabric. A twill fabric is woven over and under five or more waft threads, while a plain or satin woven fabric is woven in an over and under pattern.

If you're worried about kids and pets ruining your new fabric sofa, the Blog at Article recommends using a vacuum cleaner with a fabric attachment or a lint roller to remove pet hair and dirt before it has a chance to settle in. Additionally, you can use a dry cleaning kit to treat any stains that occur.