Buying a new sofa is a big and important purchase. Your sofa should be both beautiful and functional, as it will not only be the centerpiece of your living room set, but also a place to relax with a book, snuggle up with a loved one, or gather with friends and family. With so many styles and price ranges to choose from, where do you start? How do you decide on a sofa fabric that will provide lasting beauty for your home and long-lasting comfort for your family to enjoy for years to come?
Furniture can be upholstered in leather or fabric. Then you have to decide if you want real/natural or synthetic fabrics. When considering your options, consider these main questions:
– Do you want natural or synthetic materials? Genuine or fake leather? Please note: Natural materials may be more beautiful, but they are not practical for every home.
– Will it be reserved for formal occasions (wear/light use) or will it be used for daily family life (heavier and constant use)?
– How much do you want to spend? High-end natural pieces can cost thousands and last for generations, while synthetic fabrics are cheaper and can withstand more wear and tear.
Leather: genuine or fake?
– Genuine leather is the most durable of all natural upholstery materials available. Expensive, yes, but it’s also comfortable, versatile, and durable.
– Synthetic leather (usually made of polyamide blend microfiber) can be an alternative for those who like the look of leather but want to be more animal friendly. Most microfiber blends are soft and easy to clean (though not as breathable as real leather) and come in a variety of colors. Less popular are PVC fibers; it has been found to be unhealthy and environmentally friendly due to toxic chemicals released during the construction or destruction phase.
Fabric: Natural or Synthetic?
– Natural upholstery fabrics include linen, cotton, wool, and silk. Take into consideration:
– Silk and linen, although they are the most elegant, are not recommended for daily or intensive use due to the fragility of the fabrics and the difficulty in removing stains.
– Wool and cotton are beautiful and child-friendly materials. Both are strong fabrics that don’t pill or wrinkle easily, making them ideal for frequent use. Wool has a somewhat natural stain resistant quality. 100% cotton is the softest, but is prone to staining and shrinking, while cotton blends, while still fairly soft, are more resistant to shrinking and staining.)
– Synthetic fabrics (or microfibers) are artificial fabrics created from plastic-type fibers of PVC, Polyamide (strong, used in carpets and outdoor furniture cushions) or Polyester (softer, used in upholstery and clothing). PVC is not popular as it was found to be unhealthy for the environment due to toxic chemicals released during the construction or destruction phase. Commonly used synthetic fabrics include polyester, nylon, and acrylic, which can be used alone or blended with other natural or man-made fibers.
– Microfiber can be quite soft and easy to clean and is available in a wide variety of colors and styles.
– They can be produced to look almost exactly like natural fibers, such as wool, but tend to be stronger and more durable.
– Synthetics are more popular in high-use areas (such as homes with children or teenagers) as they can withstand a lot of use.
– Many times, synthetic materials or synthetic blends are treated during the weaving process to make them more resistant to spills, stains and fading.
In conclusion, whatever your budget, whether you’re looking for game room furniture or heirloom pieces, your options are as endless as your imagination!
About the Author: Our author has always had a bit of an obsession with cool homewares, furniture, and kitchens. Growing up with very little as a child, she would often take her mother’s catalogs and make her dream house room by room with a glue stick and some paper. Now that she’s grown, she has the house she built as a child, and she hopes his passion will help others find ways to make their home perfect. You can visit her website at https://HomeSweetHomeStore.com. Enjoy!
