How to Choose Sofa Upholstery Material

Wondering how to choose sofa upholstery material? Upholstering your sofa is a great way to bring new life into an old sofa. It is ideal if your couch has gotten to the point where its current material is wearing thin or you simply want a change. The right sofa upholstery material makes all the difference when you renew your furniture, however. In this guide, we share some factors to consider to get your sofa looking like new.

Choosing Sofa Upholstery Material

Although there are many other smaller things to take into account, the three main considerations when choosing sofa upholstery material are as follows:

Quality

This type of material is not the same as fabric used for curtaining, clothing and other items. It is made specifically for items such as furniture. Choosing poor quality material will end up costing you a lot more than you realise. You will start to see wear and tear quickly. The material may be scratchy and uncomfortable. It may pill easily and look messy after a few months. Always go for quality materials that are suited for sofas. Leather, bonded leather, linen and blends are the best choices.

Lifestyle

It’s also important to consider your lifestyle. Do you have kids who like to make a mess? Do you have pets who leave hair everywhere? Do you use your sofa every evening to relax or do you spend little time in your living room? If you have a busy household, a tougher material will be needed. If you won’t be on your sofa a lot and you don’t have kids or pets, you can choose something more decorative than practical.

Sofa

You will then need to look at the sofa itself. Some materials are not ideal for certain style sofas. Those with rounded arms, curved backs and other detailed shapes are best suited to solid colour fabrics. Simpler shaped sofas can work well with patterned material. The size of the sofa should also be considered. If you have a small two-seater, printed material will look good, turning the sofa into a statement piece. For larger sofas, plain colours can be more effective as they will not clash with other furniture in your lounge. 

MHC World offers an upholstering service. Find out more about finding the right sofa upholstery material and let us help you transform your old sofa.