Materials for sofa upholstery: types, characteristics, tips for choosing

When choosing a sofa, it is very important to pay attention to its upholstery. The cladding material is of the utmost importance both in terms of the practical and functional characteristics of the furniture, as well as in terms of the external design and aesthetic appeal of the product. Today in our material we will talk about popular fabrics and fabrics for sofa upholstery, as well as how to choose the right one.

To begin with, it should be borne in mind that high-quality upholstery fabric for a sofa must be durable and dense. In addition, it is recommended to pay close attention to the following requirements:

• tactile sensations (play an important role in the operation of furniture, can significantly increase or decrease the comfort and coziness of the sofa);
• abrasion resistance (this indicator is very important, since the duration of the service life depends on it);
• color fastness (different fabrics react differently to direct sunlight);
• airtightness (it is desirable that the fabric allows air to pass through itself);
• stability (this characteristic affects the degree of tissue stretching);
• peeling (this indicator affects the fact that during the operation of the sofa, pellets do not appear on it, which significantly spoil the appearance of the sofa);
• treatment (when buying a sofa, you need to know in advance how it can be cleaned in case of stains and other unwanted dirt);
• composition (if possible, choose materials whose composition is as environmentally friendly as possible, and there should be no harmful substances);
• additional characteristics (some fabrics have advanced functionality: for example, they can repel dust and moisture).

Of great importance is also type of fabricwhich is used for upholstery. There are 7 types of fabric in total. The first includes such lightweight materials as cotton and scotchguard, and the seventh is natural leather.

Today in the furniture market you can find sofas with a wide variety of upholstery. Varieties of upholstery differ in key characteristics, so it is customary to divide them into categories. Consider a description of the most popular materials that are involved in the manufacture of upholstery for a sofa.

This fabric is characterized by increased softness, so velor sofas are bought by those who wants to create a cozy and comfortable atmosphere in their home... Velor make from natural raw materials, namely from cotton and wool. The external distinctive features of the material are very unique, an extensive color palette is available to buyers, so a velor sofa can become an adornment for any interior.

It should be noted that the distinctive features of the material include an increased level of strength... This means that over time, the velor will not deform (even under the influence of a large mass of people sitting on the couch). It is worth noting the air-permeable properties of velor.

Velor can be easily cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or washing powder (the second option is perfect for removing intense dirt). Stains that cannot be removed from velor include coffee, sauce and juice stains. Over time, abrasions may appear at the most exploited places, and therefore the service life of velor sofas is short.

Scotchguard by its characteristics resembles such a widespread and widely known material as jacquard, but it is much cheaper in terms of cost. The distinctive characteristics of the scotchguard include a long service life and resistance to dirt. In addition, for the production of material is applied only natural raw materials... According to its tactile characteristics, the scotchguard is very soft and pleasant, but at the same time durable and reliable.

In order to remove the resulting dirt, you can use only soap and a soft towel. Cleaning with a dry vacuum cleaner is also permissible. As for the caveats, Scotchguard sofas under no circumstances should they be exposed to direct sunlight.

Jacquard sofas are different incredibly attractive appearance. Often times, this material has a beautiful pattern, so it will grab the attention of all your guests. The production technology of this material is called "Complex interlacing of high strength fibers." Thanks to this technique, the upholstery itself is very durable and reliable.

As for tactile characteristics, then the material is very hard and cold, in this regard, it will not be very comfortable to sit or lie on a piece of furniture with such an upholstery. Thus, Jacquard sofas for the most part perform a decorative function and are rarely used in practice.

Chenille by its external characteristics looks like a tapestry... The functional characteristics of these materials are also similar. It is important to keep in mind that chenille is an expensive material, as it is very beautiful in appearance and can be used for a long period. Chenille sofa upholstery can become an accent of your home interior.

In the process of use, the fabric practically does not deteriorate and does not change shape. On the other side, material cannot be used in high humidity conditionswater can cause the upholstery to deteriorate.

Flock - It is a great choice for sofa upholstery for those who own pets. In appearance it resembles velvet... In addition, the fabric is hypoallergenic, so it can be used even where there are small children and people with individual intolerances. By tactile sensations flock is very soft and pleasant. The fabric can be cleaned very simply and quickly with washing powder and a sponge. Unlike some other materials used for upholstery, flock is not adversely affected by direct sunlight.

However, even despite such a large number of advantages, flock also has a number of disadvantages. So, for example, they include fast abrasion, ability to absorb and retain odors (in this regard, furniture made of flock upholstery should never be placed in the kitchen).

Microfiber is a finishing material that has good performance properties. It is not subject to molting processes, does not fade in the sun, does not absorb dirt and does not allow water to pass through. Due to these characteristics, the fabric is very expensive.

Only wealthy people will be able to buy sofas with upholstery made of genuine leather, since the price of furniture is quite high. This material is considered classic upholstery, leather furniture will fit well in almost any style of interior. The leather upholstery is very strong and durable... Use a sponge or rag to clean it. Over time, leather upholstery undergoes cracking and is also frayed. Leather sofas inconvenient to operate in the hot season, as they are very slippery.

Suede is another popular upholstery fabric. Moreover, among users, an artificial variety of suede is more popular. She is great imitates natural material, but has a reduced price. Artificial suede has a high level of wear resistance and durability. The fabric looks good on the outside, and can also last for a fairly long period of time.

Tactile feel faux suede very soft and pleasant. It does not undergo deformation, does not fade in the light. At the same time, there are difficulties in the process of caring for such a sofa - furniture can only be dry cleaned.

Both natural and artificial corduroy are used for furniture upholstery. The fabric has high performance, but it also has several significant disadvantages. In particular, it should be noted that Dirt and dust accumulate in the folds of the corduroy. It is very difficult to remove such flaws, you will have to seek help from a dry cleaner.

According to its external characteristics, arpatek very similar to skin. However, this material has a lower cost, can be used for a long time and is easy to operate. As for the shortcomings, it must be borne in mind that arpatek is a material that undergoes cracking. As for tactile sensations, Arpatek is much warmer and more pleasant than skin, it is not so slippery.

This upholstery fabric belongs to the budget category, therefore is accessible to almost everyone... The structure of the fabric is quite dense. It should be noted right away that artificial materials are used as raw materials for boucle, so such upholstery is not suitable for everyone (allergy sufferers should be especially careful). There is a wide variety of colors and shades. Moreover, the fabric itself can be either holistic and monotonous, or combine a whole palette of shades and undertones.

In addition to the fabric options described above, other materials can be used for upholstery. For example, you can find tapestry sofas or denim upholstery. Forest is an upholstery material with high performance characteristics: it does not deform and exhibits high resistance characteristics in relation to negative mechanical and temperature influences.

Another popular material is ekovelor. Also often used courtesan. Ekovelure has a pleasant and soft tactile sensation. The courtesan is also water-repellent.

The choice of upholstery material for the sofa should be as careful and thoughtful as possible. So, first of all, you should rely on the room in which you will place the piece of furniture. Furniture upholstery for the kitchen must exhibit durability at the highest level, washable and waterproof. Optimal upholstery for the living room - these are soft and comfortable materials.

If you want to update the upholstery in the bedroom, then it is recommended to pay attention to beautiful decorative options: for example, jacquard or scotchguard. The most durable and practical upholstery should be in the nursery. So, flock is perfect for a child. Choose the right leather furniture for your office. Special attention should be paid to the choice of upholstery if you have a pet in your house (for example, a cat or a dog). The thing is that in this case the furniture is exposed to constant mechanical stress. The sustainable materials rating includes flock and velor.

In addition, in the selection process, you should pay attention to several key factors.

• Manufacturer... Regardless of which particular fabric you choose, give preference to reliable and trusted manufacturers. This is the only way you can count on high quality and compliance with all international standards.
• Weight... The weight of a quality fabric that is suitable for upholstery on sofas should be at least 330 grams per meter. At the same time, higher indicators indicate the possibility of long-term preservation of the required form (and vice versa).
• Design. Exterior design is also important. So, the sofa should fit perfectly into the overall interior of the room and complement the overall interior well or be an accent in the room.
• Price... Remember that high cost does not always mean high quality. In some cases, you will have to pay extra for the brand. The choice is yours, but remember about the optimal ratio of indicators such as price and quality.
• Salesman... Buy sofas or separate fabric for upholstery only in brand and official stores. Otherwise, you can buy substandard or fake materials that will not meet the required functional requirements.

In the next video, you will find an overview of upholstery fabrics from a leading designer.