We are finding new material being used all the time for furniture but here are some key ones:
Steel: This metal material is durable, flexible, and lightweight. Because of its resilience, it’s often used to make furniture for classrooms, hospitals, and office buildings. Due to its ability to be easily formed into any shape, common types of furniture steel is used for include folding chairs and tables.
Glass: Glass furniture pieces are finding their way into the mainstream of contemporary furniture. It’s a unique material because it can be bent and curved into shapes that other materials may not be able to make. Depending on the process, it can be made structurally durable. Glass furniture is often admired for its beauty and minimalism.
Leather: Furniture creation has seen a mass use of leather for years. Because it’s comfortable and pliable, it’s often used to upholster chairs and sofas. Because leather is expensive, vinyl is sometimes used instead for a more economical option.
When selecting the best materials for your sofa, it is important to take into consideration each of the material’s attributes and how they fit your personal requirements and lifestyle. In this guide to sofa materials, we’ll discuss the types of sofa materials, fabric sofas vs. leather sofas, and the best sofa materials for pets. This is great for industrial style furniture too.
Different materials for couches
There are several different material options for your couch. Each different type holds its own unique characteristics, from stain and fade resistance to strength and style. A couch’s fabric will affect how the couch wears over time. Researching and understanding the different options can help you in finding a piece of furniture worth your money!
Sofa materials made from natural fibers
Natural fibers are exactly as they sound: materials naturally sourced from plants and animals. The most common natural fiber materials include:
- Linen: While linen is a very elegant type of material, it is best used only in low-traffic areas or adult-only areas due to wrinkling and staining.
- Wool: Wool is great at resisting staining, wrinkling, fading, and pilling. Wool can also be blended with a synthetic fiber to offer even more durability and easy spot cleaning.
- Silk: This is a very delicate and soft material. Due to its fragility, it’s best placed in a formal area, and must be professionally cleaned if dirtied.
Looking for advice on choosing a sofa fabric? Or an armchair fabric for that matter? When buying a new sofa, it’s pretty much the most important factor to consider, so you are going to want to get it right. So to help you make a decision on which sofa fabric is best for you, we’ve put together some expert tips on how to pick the best upholstery…
Want more tips on buying a sofa? Head over to our guide. And for more gorgeous living room ideas, check out our feature.
HOW MUCH DO YOU WANT TO SPEND ON YOU SOFA FABRIC?
Setting a budget for how much you want to spend on a sofa is probably the best place to start as this will determine your fabric choice. There are loads of gorgeous cheaper sofas (check out our budget-friendly sofa buying guide for proof) and you can get them in some really luxe fabrics, such as velvet.
But be aware that with a cheaper sofa your colour choice might be limited to a handful, whereas if you have a bigger budget and your sofa is being made to order, there are usually hundreds of fabrics and colours to choose from, plus you can order swatches before you buy to check you’re happy with your choice.