Choosing the right fabric can seem like quite a daunting task if you are new to the upholstery world. Make a mistake with the colour, the whole room will suffer, and choosing the wrong material will leave you covering up snags and stains. With so many fabric choices, how do you choose the right one? Our guide will help you to understand and select the right fabrics for durability, comfort, and style.
Table of Contents
- What is Upholstery?
- How to Choose the Right Fabric
- Fabric for Furniture
- Fabric Upholstery Inspiration
- Fabric By Room Type
- Types of Fabrics
- Fabric Samples
- New Fabrics
What is Upholstery?
Upholstery is the work of attaching a furniture frame such as chairs, sofas, or headboards to fabrics, cushioning, or textile covers. The outer material of a piece of furniture makes up the visual identity while the interior frame controls the comfort.
An upholstered piece of furniture visually demonstrates the sign of its quality and style. The fabric is also the most likely to show wear and tear. Before unholstering a piece of furniture, be aware of the fabric’s durability, cleanability, and resistance to tearing and fading.
Before purchasing upholstery fabric or furniture, remember that the greater the thread count, the tighter the woven fabric is, and the better it’ll age.
How to Choose the Right Fabric
Durability
Choose a fabric for your upholstery project based on its everyday use. Think about how the fabric will be displayed and which room it will be housed in. Thoughts such as whether it will be exposed to children and pets will also need to be considered.
Woven patterned fabrics have a higher level of durability with a higher thread count and tighter weaves. For example, sofas that need to withstand a high level of wear and tear need to consider microfibre fabric or leather for daily use.
Decorative pieces for upholstery projects that will not be used every day will not need to be as durable. This means more luxurious fabric varieties such as wool and linen could be considered.
Care
It is best to clean upholstery fabrics before they have been applied to furniture. Make sure that you take a look at the manufacturer’s instructions before attempting a wash or taking the fabric to the dry cleaners. Once upholstered, use specialist spot cleaners to help with the fabric upkeep and use fabric protection spray to keep the fabric in good condition.
Style
Choose a fabric style that compliments both the piece of furniture and interiors of the room. Some fabric styles are casual, while others are more formal. Decide based on mood and character.
To add originality to the room, consider combining multiple styles. However, you need to be careful not to confuse the look which could result in a negative output.
Patterns need to be scaled based on the size of the furniture and room. Within larger rooms, bolder patterns can be used while a more muted and condensed pattern may be more appropriate for more confined spaces.
Colour
Fabric colour is often the first consideration when buying furniture. This is because it has a significant impact on the overall feel of a room. It is important to note that you must consider colours that will satisfy you over a long period. Neutral colours look stylish in almost every décor and are generally the safest route in this instance.
Before you start, you must look at your current colour scheme. For example, do you have certain shades for your centerpieces such as tables, carpets, etc? Could you do with an injection of colour or would a softer tone be more appropriate?
Warm and cool colours affect the mood of the room and should be considered to strike the right temperature. Avoid colours that could date easily as this could be an expensive risk when a piece of furniture needs to be removed from the room.
Once you have found a colour scheme that compliments your décor, it is time to consider the fabrics. For stylish, low-risk options consider neutral tones. As for patterns, consider designs that grab attention but do not look out of place within the room.
Fabric for Furniture
Sofas
When considering upholstering a sofa, take the shape into consideration. Patterns with distinctive directions may look great on a fabric sample, however, may not be as effective once it has been placed across the curves of a sofa.
Size must also be considered. For larger pieces, use a rich solid colour or classic natural tones that will not tire over time.
Smaller pieces are great ways to liven up the room with an accent colour. Statement sofa chairs can include bolder shapes or patterns however you must effectively work with the room.
Chairs
Liven up your room with great statement chairs. Bold fabrics on accent chairs can give a room a positive lift and can easily be swapped out with changing trends.
Occasional accent chairs get relatively low wear and tear so it could also be worth considering making an investment for the overall impact on the room that it sits in.
Curtains
Fabric choice within curtains is essential when considering longevity. For example, a room with a lot of light will fade fabric over time, especially bright colours. Linen, silk, and velvet are recommended luxurious options as they tend to be the most durable and hang best. While suede, velvet, and tapestry can help to keep out the cold. Be sure to request larger samples to mimic the piece’s true drape.
Blinds
There are several considerations when choosing the right fabric for blinds. The translucency, ease of use, colour, and patterns all need to be thought about to aid effective results.
Before purchasing blind fabric, hold a sample in the direction of how the blind will sit and position it in front of the light. Next, place the sample next to any colours and patterns used in the room to confirm that the style fits.
Some of the more popular fabric choices for blinds are cotton, polyester, linen, silk, or acrylic. Cotton is the most traditional however if you want to go be sophisticated and luxurious, consider fabrics such as Silk or Linen.
Fabric Upholstery Inspiration
Choosing the right material to upholster your project can be a challenging choice, particularly when there are so many available options. We not only help our clients with the design of the upholstery but also assist them to choose the right fabrics. Durability and practicality are just as important when selecting materials as appearances.
We offer a carefully selected range of plain fabrics for creating stylish upholstery pieces, curtains, blinds, and soft furnishings for your home. We provide a range of plain fabrics for linens, wools, cottons, and weaves. If you’d like to sample your favourites, or if you require assistance finding the right plain material, get in touch with the team.
Plain Fabrics
Our collection of plain fabrics is carefully curated for its versatility, as well as to complement our exclusive designs and signature colourways. The colour palette and the range of fibers and textures combine to create a wonderful sense of understated luxury.
Herringbones
Herringbone is an ideal design choice for classic, clean-cut furnishings. We’ve included herringbone fabric colours from naturals and greys all the way up to richer, tonal colours. Herringbone is a versatile material for upholstery, window treatments, blinds, cushions, and all other soft furnishings.
Linens
Pure linen has always been a prominent feature in interior design. Whether you’re dining at a Michelin-rated eatery or staying at a five-star hotel, you’re almost certainly to find pure linen adorning the environment. Pure linen provides a comfortable, natural appearance. Linen is a superb material for drapes, especially if you prewash it. In addition to the aforementioned benefits, it possesses a distinct style that improves any home’s interior design. It’s the charming nature of pure linen that makes its wrinkles and crumples so alluring.
Sheers
Sheer fabrics are perfect for rooms where you want some privacy. Because they are lightweight and can be layered with other materials, they are perfect for windows. Sheer fabrics filter light and naturally allow some light through. If you prefer a more contemporary look in your house, you may opt for a sheer curtain rather than a net curtain. You may use a sheer curtain or a panel of sheer material to allow more light in between a living and dining area if you desire some privacy.
A sheer fabric is usually manufactured from 100% cotton, but it can also be produced from linen, polyester, and blended materials. You can obtain patterned versions, for example, floral, check, or striped fabrics.
Velvets
Velvet’s unrivaled opulence has never gone out of style, making it a great material for upholstering furniture. Its intricate weaving and fine-quality finish have made it a material associated with royalty and the aristocracy for centuries. Velvet can be used in a number of ways. Dark, rich colours can be used to add warmth to a room, while bright floral designs can be used to make an impact. Velvet is excellent for curtains, decorative chairs, and scatter cushions because of its heavy quality.
Using patterns in interior design can be difficult, but there are a few simple techniques that make using large florals or other bold fabric designs easier. Patterns bring vitality to a room and help construct a narrative. Our collection of signature fabrics includes a colourful variety of florals, stripes, and geometric patterns, allowing for a multitude of choices that fit any interior style or preference.
Patterned Fabrics
Our collection of signature fabrics comprises a lively mix of florals, stripes, and geometric patterns, offering a range of choices to suit nearly every interior taste and style.
Florals
Our carefully curated assortment of floral fabrics is very popular for upholstery. Floral patterns are particularly well-suited for upholstery fabrics. Curtains, blinds, soft furnishings, and statement upholstery can all be made from our extensive assortment of floral fabrics. These beautiful designs are suitable for almost any project, from sofas and curtains to cushions and headboards. They are especially well suited for contemporary and traditional schemes.
Patterns
Paolo Moschino has been creating fabrics and wallpaper for over two decades, and the collection has grown to include more than 60 designs in a range of signature colours. The offerings include a mix of linens, silks, cottons, and velvets, which we are proud to source from Europe’s finest mills, manufacturers, and artisans—a group of producers handpicked to create the most beautiful and highest-quality fabrics possible. Most of our designs are available as wallpaper and all our fabrics can be produced as paper-backed wallcoverings.
Stripes
It’s difficult to imagine a world without striped material, but that bold linear pattern is making a huge comeback. Whether they’re thick or thin, vertical or horizontal, in bright colours or black and white, stripes have a magnetic effect on the eyes, instantly drawing one’s attention.
Stripes on fabrics are especially stunning for curtains and drapes. Stripes on textiles are permanently in vogue, and you will never grow tired of them. Queen Victoria popularised them by putting her son Bertie in a striped sailor outfit, which started the association between stripes and words such as “maritime” and “sea.”
Using stripes in your home, whether traditional or contemporary, is a great way to bring some order to your room. You can bring pattern into any interior using striped fabric for curtains, upholstery, and accessories. If you learn how to use them properly, striped fabrics can open up a range of design possibilities.
Fabric By Room Type
Living Room
The living room is the hub of any home, whether it be a place to unwind after a long day at work, a location to welcome guests on the weekend, or a place to spend time with your family. Everyone has their own memories associated with their living room, and therefore selecting the appropriate living room fabric is crucial to making a room that is worthy of all the wonderful memories.
Sofa
Sofas are used to a moderate degree of wear because items receive a lot of daily usages. They must be outfitted with heavy-duty, tightly woven fabrics to avoid stains and damage.
Curtains
Select curtains rather than blinds for the bedroom. On winter evenings, it is nice to draw the curtains and shut out the cold and darkness by drawing the curtains.
Headboards
An upholstered headboard can make a statement in a room by drawing attention to the bedhead. It’s a simple, yet effective way to make a bedroom feel inviting. Headboards are often neglected in favour of other decor items such as curtains and soft furnishings, but they can be the ideal setting for showing off your favourite patterned or plain fabrics.
Types of Fabrics
There are two main types of fabric fibers that encompass all fabrics. These are natural and synthetic.
Natural Fabrics
Linen
Linen is a popular fabric for many people. With a natural relaxed look, this is an ideal curtain fabric or a light and airy alternative for bed sheets on a hot summer evening.
Leather
Leather upholstery is made using organic materials and looks slick and sophisticated. It is known for its hard-wearing qualities and practicality and comes in a number of different variations and finishes.
Cotton
Cotton is the most popular natural fiber with a high level of durability and resistance.
Wool
Wool is a popular and versatile fabric made from sheep’s wool. It has many natural characteristics and is ideally used in carpets and throws, providing comfort and durability within the home.
Cotton Blend
A cotton variation that provides comfort and breathability. Cotton Blend is a family-friendly, sturdy fabric that has increased colours retention, crease-resistance, and is easy on stains.
Vinyl
Perfect for picnics and dining rooms during parties, the Vinyl fabric is easy to clean, durable, and versatile.
Silk
Silk is a delicate fabric made from natural fibers. This fabric provides a luxurious interior finish to cushions, wall coverings, and curtains and is only suitable for a formal room due to needing to be professionally cleaned.
Synthetic Fabrics
Acetate
A soft imitation of silk also known as “Artificial Silk”. Acetate can be used in the home in the same way as silk for items such as curtains, cushions, and bedsheets. However, it is not a good choice for furniture that requires everyday use. it can easily wear and tear and needs to be kept out of the sun to avoid fading.
Acrylic
Combining soft texture and durability, Acrylic is an imitation of wool. It resists wear and tear, creasing, and fading and is a good retainer of colour that can be experimented on with patterns, pictures, and prints. Due to its resistance to stains and creases, it is a popular fiber in the interior world.
Nylon
Nylon is one of the strongest upholstery fabrics that drapes well and is easy to wash. It is most commonly used within curtain work, rugs and bedspreads.
Olefin
Olefin is a soft and lightweight fabric that’s great for outdoor furniture due to its strength and durability. It can be produced in a variety of different textures, colours, and prints making it a perfect fiber for both indoor and outdoor accent colours.
Polyester
As a type of plastic, Polyester is a sturdy material with a high level of crease and fade resistance. It is a long-lasting material that is also resistant to stains.
Rayon
One of the most commonly used fabrics, it is an excellent alternative to silk due to its rich feel and texture. It is commonly used on window treatments and hangs well. However, it is a relatively weak fiber that can stretch or shrink easily if not treated well.
Fabric Samples
Before you purchase any fabric, it is also better to request a sample. This allows you to see and feel the material before committing. Be sure to also book an appointment in our showrooms where you can see how it feels in the store. If you like a piece of fabric, order a large swatch that you can drape over the area to get a better idea of the finished look.
Summary
Paolo Moschino has been creating fabrics since 2000 and since then the collection has grown to include over 60 designs across a range of colours synonymous with the brand. A mixture of linens, silks, cottons, and velvets, we are proud to source from Europe’s oldest and finest manufacturers and artisans that we have handpicked to create the finest fabrics possible.
Most of our fabric designs are available as wallpaper and all our designs can be produced as paper-backed wallcoverings.
For more information, please contact one of our sales team at sales@paolomoschino.com For cuttings and returnable samples please contact samples@paolomoschino.com.
8 – 14 Holbein Place, London, SW1W 8NL
+44 (0) 207 730 8623
Mon – Fri 10am – 6pm
