The Best Upholstery Fabrics: A Guide for the Stylishly Comfy

Let’s talk upholstery because nothing ruins the joy of lounging like scratchy fabric, mysterious stains that won't budge or a sofa that pills like it’s shedding its winter coat. Whether you're designing a chic sitting room or reviving a well-loved chai the fabric you choose can make or break your comfort and your aesthetic.

So, what is the best material for upholstering sofas and chairs? The answer is there no one simple answer – like most things in life it depends on your style, your family and your budget. Read on for some recommendations:

Linen

Vibe: Light, elegant, breezy

Best for: Low-traffic areas, grown-up spaces, and people who don’t spill (or have kids, dogs or clumsy friends)

Linen is like that impossibly cool friend who always looks just put together in an effortless and relaxed way. Linen is a natural, biodegradable material made from flax fibers.  It’s one of the most eco-friendly fabric options and uses fewer pesticides and less water than cotton. It’s naturally smooth with no pile, so it doesn’t pill like some synthetic blends. On the flipside linen is very absorbent, which makes it vulnerable to stains  especially liquids.  It doesn’t love water or cleaning chemicals, so spills need quick attention, and professional cleaning is recommended.

In reality, linen is beautiful breathable, naturally luxurious fabric and generally available in a wonderful array of neutral tones but it does wrinkle and stain easily. Whilst the fibers are stronger than cotton so the fabric can last a long time (assuming proper care) it doesn’t like abrasion so can wear out faster than tougher fabrics in high-traffic areas or with rough use. It’s prone to to wrinkling and creasing, which adds “relaxed elegance” (or “perpetually rumpled,” depending on your attitude).

Bottom Line: Linen is best for more formal, adult areas where wine is sipped (not gulped).  If you like the linen look but don’t like the maintenance you might like to explore linen blends of performance treated linens.

Image Credit: Berengere Leroy Paris

Cotton & Cotton Blends

Vibe: Soft, versatile, affordable

Best for: Casual homes, families, everyday use

Cotton is the good egg of the upholstery world. It’s soft, takes colour well and doesn’t demand much. Cotton is a 100% natural fiber made from cotton plants. It is highly breathable, which keeps things cool and comfy perfect for year-round lounging. It’s hypoallergenic and gentle on skin, so it’s a win for sensitive types (both people and pets)

On its own, 100% cotton isn’t the most durable for heavy-duty upholstery as it can wear out, fade in sunlight, and wrinkle. When it is blended with polyester, nylon, or rayon, cotton becomes a durability champion, perfect for everyday furniture. Look for a tight weave like canvas, denim or twill to get extra mileage.

Cotton is a dye magnet you’ll find it in every shade, from serene neutrals to punchy jewel tones. But beware: brighter or darker colors can fade over time, especially with direct sun exposure (think “sun-kissed,” but not in a cute way).

Cotton is super absorbent and has a tendency to stain easily and doesn’t always bounce back well after spills. Pre-treated cotton or performance cotton blends (say with polyester or nylon_ are a better bet for easy maintenance.

Bottom Line: Cotton upholstery is breathable, soft, and effortlessly stylish but it’s not bulletproof. It thrives in comfortable, casual spaces where a little wear adds charm. For real-life use (pets, kids, partners who can't hold a mug properly), consider a cotton blend or performance cotton to get the look and the longevity. Remember to watch out for thinner weaves, which can wear out or look tired after a while.

Image Credit: Charlotte Gaisford Georgie Girl Fabric

Wool

Vibe: Textural, warm, cozy chic

Best for: Cool climates, layering lovers and those who enjoy texture

Wool upholstery is like the Scandinavian sweater of your furniture snug, tactile and surprisingly durable. Naturally strong and elastic it bounces back from wrinkles and retains shape beautifully and is great for high-traffic areas.

Wool fibers have a protective outer layer making them surprisingly resistant to stains and spills: Liquids tend to bead up instead of soaking in. Wool is flame retardant without needing chemicals though a word of warning moths love it.

Bottom Line:  Wool is great for those looking for texture and strength in their fabrics minus the synthetics. It is typically move expensive but you can get serious longevity in return if you care for it properly.

Image Credit: Pinterest. Source Unknown.

Velvet

Vibe: Glamorous, dramatic, strokeable (yes, really)

Best for: Statement pieces, formal rooms, touchy-feely types

Velvet is the diva of the fabric world.  Rich, plush and available in every jewel tone under the sun velvet gives your sofa or chairs instant drama. It has become massively popular in recent years and there are a couple of different types to consider when contemplating re upholstery projects.

Cotton Velvet

Vibe: Soft, natural, matte luxury

Pros: Breathable, beautifully soft, natural fiber

Cons: Less sheen, wrinkles easily, can crush under pressure (relatable)

This is your understated velvet rich and refined, with a soft hand and a matte finish. Cotton velvet has minimal shine compared to synthetic versions and gives a wonderfully natural look. The catch? It bruises (shows pressure marks), and it's not the most durable in high-traffic areas unless blended with synthetics.

Polyester Velvet (or Micro Velvet)

Vibe: Affordable glam with high durability

Pros: Fade-resistant, budget-friendly, less prone to crushing

Cons: Can feel a bit slick or synthetic, especially in cheaper versions

This is the workhorse velvet. Polyester-based velvets are more resistant to wear, moisture, and sunlight. It’s ideal for families, pets, and people who like velvet and red wine. Some modern poly velvets are so lush you’d never know they weren’t high-end others feel a bit like a 1980s prom dress. Choose wisely.

Velvet Blends (e.g., Cotton-Poly, Rayon Mixes)

Vibe: A well-balanced cocktail

Pros: Improved durability, softer hand, often more affordable than pure cotton or silk

Cons: Quality varies some are divine, others... not so much

These blends offer the best of both worlds: natural softness and synthetic strength. Rayon or viscose adds sheen, while polyester lends durability. Look for tight weaves and test the feel a good blend will feel plush, not plasticky.

Performance Velvet

Vibe: Velvet that survived boot camp

Pros: Stain-resistant, durable, easy to clean, family- and pet-friendly

Cons: Slightly stiffer feel depending on the brand

Performance velvet looks and feels like the real deal, but it's been engineered (often with polyester or acrylic) to resist spills, sun, and roughhousing. It’s the go-to for velvet lovers with kids, pets, or general chaos in the home. Many are surprisingly soft and high-end looking some even feel like silk, minus the high care factor.

Bottom Line: Choose your velvet in line with your lifestyle and your propensity for easy maintenance.

Image Credit: Strawberry Fields Fabrics via Pinterest

Performance Fabrics (Crypton, Sunbrella, etc.)

Vibe: Indestructible but in 2025 surprisingly stylish

Best for: Kids, pets, red wine, the real world

Enter the superheroes of upholstery. Originally designed for outdoor or commercial use, performance fabrics have gotten a serious glow-up. They are engineered to resist stains, fading, moisture, and wear, making them ideal for real life.  These days they tend to look and feel like normal upholstery with both natural looking weaves and plush finishes like velvet.

Whilst not all performance fabrics are created they tend to have superior fade and stain resistance and particular fabrics can even be spot cleaned with bleach.

Bottom Line: If you love white sofas but live in a house where chaos reigns, these are for you.

Image Credit: Rickward Design Studio

Leather

Vibe: Cool, classic, easy-wipe

Best for: Pet owners, modern interiors and anyone who secretly wants to feel like a cowboy

Leather is durable, gets better with age and cleans up beautifully. It’s also hypoallergenic, which makes it a good option for those living with ‘sensitivities’. Downside? It’s not cheap and if you love cushions like I do they can slide right off.  Some people say it can feel cold in winter and sticky in summer but honestly if it’s the vibe you are after it’s worth it for that vintage Italian club chair energy.

Image Credit: Pinterest - Source Unknown

Final Tips Before You Pick Your Fabric:

• Durability Check: Look for the Martindale rub count (Europe) or double rubs (US). For everyday furniture, go for 15,000+ double rubs.

• Weave Wisely: Tighter weaves = better durability. Loose weaves? Gorgeous, but often more delicate.

• Pattern vs. Plain: Patterns can hide wear and minor stains. Solids are more timeless but can show everything. Choose your battles.

  
  

So, what’s the best upholstery fabric?

Truthfully? It’s the one that fits your life and your look. Velvet might be perfect for your moody reading nook while Crypton-covered cotton could save your family room from a thousand snack-based disasters. The key is knowing your vibe, your household habits, and how much maintenance you’re willing to do.

And if all else fails? Throw a stylish blanket over it and pretend it was on purpose!

Want help choosing fabrics for your next project or reupholstery rescue? Drop me a note. I am soft furnishings obsessed.

Elisha x