There are various types of sofa fabric. The top sofa fabrics are nylon, cotton, polyester and microfiber. Nylon is durable and inexpensive. It can withstand high levels of wear and tear, and resists stretching and wrinkling, but tends to pill and fade easily when exposed to direct sunlight. Cotton is a natural fiber that dyes and prints well. Cotton fabric is soft and comfortable. But it fades easily when exposed to direct sunlight, and it wrinkles and stains easily. Polyester lasts longer. It does not wrinkle easily and is fade resistant. It may stain easily with oily substances. Microfiber is stain resistant, soft to touch, and durable. It is recommended for allergy suffers as its fibers are tightly woven and there is little lint.
Choosing Your Sofa Fabric
Whether you are in the market for a new sofa or you are re-upholstering a sofa you have, choosing the right fabric for your sofa is worth careful consideration. There are several aspects you need to think about when picking your fabric among the different types of sofa fabric available in the market. Here are some tips to help you find the right fabric for your sofa.
- Price: This is a major consideration. Generally speaking, the more expensive fabric usually has better quality and lasts longer. But, decide on a price range so you can stay inside your budget.
- Durability: Who uses the sofa? Will it be in the room with small children who will be rough on the fabric and pets that may scratch the sofa? How will it stand up to the everyday wear and tear? Consider its durability and list the traits your sofa fabric must have. The durability of your sofa may be influenced to a great extent by the color and the types of sofa fabric you choose. The following should be considered when you decide what is right for you.
- Color: List the possible color choices for your sofa fabric according to the effect you want to achieve and the colors already in your room. Choose colors that match the interior of the room. Use a darker color if you have children and pets. Stains will not be easily seen on dark-colored sofa fabrics. The different types of sofa fabric have different colors.
- Pattern: If your sofa is used frequently, you may not want to choose textures, such as raised patterns. As they wear out quickly, and that will make your sofa look older than it actually is.
- Thread count: Higher thread count makes the fabric more durable. Kids and pets can damage delicate fabrics. Check the thread count of different fabrics to choose a fabric that will not wear out sooner. An easy way to tell the thread count of a fabric is to hold it up to the window and see how much light comes through. The less light that shows through, the higher the thread count. Or you can talk to a knowledgeable staff. The thread count of average fabrics is 150. A thread count of 400 is the highest thread count you should consider. The difference in higher thread counts does not make a big difference.
There are various types of sofa fabric in the market hence choosing the best type is top priority. Read the above tips to help you out when purchasing one. If you do not choose wisely, you might end up with a living room that is extremely tacky, or is in some way not as attractive as it could be otherwise.