At a Glance:
We wouldn’t blame you if your main concern while shopping for a new sofa is the style or even the size. These are important factors, no doubt, but we’re here to remind you not to forget about furniture upholstery. Often, shoppers don’t take into account that the material they want requires special care or that some materials are a nightmare when it comes to stains.
To make your decision simpler, take a moment to give this guide a quick review, where we go over five of the most popular furniture upholstery options on the market. Along the way, we’ll give you tips for each category, plus a look at a piece featuring each furniture upholstery for a little inspo while before you shop.
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Living RoomLeather Upholstery
For many, leather is considered the supreme fabric for furniture. It looks elegant, it’s more resistant to staining than fiber materials, and genuine leather has a tendency to last for a long time when properly maintained. However, not all leather is the same, and we’re not only referring to faux leather. In total, there are five levels of leather shoppers can select. From worst to best, there is faux leather, bi-cast leather, split-grain leather, top-grain leather, and genuine full-grain leather upholstery.
The price for leather furniture varies depending on the type of furnishing (a sectional uses more leather than a sofa), the brand, and the quality of the material. With that said, the expected price of one of these pieces is anywhere from $300 to $5,000—but don’t be surprised if prices are even higher for larger furnishings or if they’re made from a luxury brand.
→ Read: Your Guide to Leather Furniture: Brands, Care and Pricing
We Recommend Leather Upholstery if:
✅ You have responsible loungers (leather scratches).
✅ Regular leather upholstery maintenance isn’t an issue.
✅ Your furniture budget is larger than normal.
→ Learn More: Who Makes the Best Leather Recliners?
We Recommend: The Caselli Poppy Leather Power Recliner
Indulge in the irreplaceable sensation of 100 percent top-grain leather as you sit down to relax. The Caselli Poppy collection power recliner is the fantasy come true, fashioned in a classic build designed for serious relaxers. Sit back and allow the plump back to support you in plush comfort, and the pillow-pad arms suspend your limbs in softness. And we haven’t even gotten to the best part: this recliner comes with automatic reclining, so you can sit back at your desired angle of comfort whether you’re watching TV or reading a novel.
→ More About This Brand: Caselli Furniture Reviews: Living Room Sets
Polyester Upholstery
Of all synthetic upholsteries to choose from, polyester is perhaps the most common, or at least what buyers are most familiar with. In fact, it’s often used in clothing for its softness and durability, which also lends itself beautifully as an upholstery fabric for sofas. The product derives from petroleum, making it particularly resistant to stains and damage, which is why the material is often mixed with other fibers that dye more easily, which might also be more prone to staining than polyester.
In terms of price, furniture made from polyester are more affordable than their counterparts, making them a great option for budget furniture shoppers.
We Recommend Polyester Upholstery if:
✅ You have a lot of traffic in your home.
✅ An affordable sofa is your goal.
✅ A low-maintenance couch sounds like a dream.
We Recommend: The Classic Home Donovan Sand Sectional
We can’t think of a better application for polyester than on a family-size sectional where children, parents, and even fur babies can relax in peace. You’ll be required to learn how to clean Code S upholstery, but it’s a small tradeoff for what this oversized sectional offers. With enough seating for seven, this arrangement provides room for all on its mid-century modern-inspired design with signature wood trimming, plus matching wood tables for keeping snacks nearby during movie marathons.
Overall, this polyester sofa is designed with heavy use in mind, ensuring you and your loved ones will get plenty of use and enjoyment out of it.
→ Discover More Sectional Styles: 7 Stylish L Shaped Sectional Designs
Performance Fabric
Man-made fabrics are some of the most popular simply because they’re easy to clean and maintain than natural chair upholstery fabrics. That might sound nearly identical to how we described polyester above, but performance fabrics go one step further by undergoing special treatment that adds a layer of protection. However, to what degree depends on what a certain performance fabric is made of:
- Performance fabrics made of acrylic naturally repel moisture, making them extremely stain-resistant. At the same time, they’re vulnerable to abrasiveness, or what we refer to in the industry as double rub count. Extra treatment is usually all that’s needed to regain maximum protection.
- Olefin derives from polypropylene, and it is one of the most resistant fabrics to water and stains. Best of all, olefin performance fabrics don’t need treatment like acrylic, making them low maintenance.
- Nylon performance fabrics are susceptible to staining but they’re also easy to clean. Whereas olefin and acrylic tend to be rougher to the touch, nylon is silkier, which can feel more comfortable when it comes time to sit and relax.
We Recommend Performance Fabrics if:
✅ Your household has extremely high traffic.
✅ A sofa with minimum maintenance is key.
✅ You plan on replacing your sofa within a few years.
✅ You share a space with children and pets.
We Recommend: The Sofamaster Whitaker Sofa
This navy novelty is full of contemporary style suited for spaces from casual to elegant. The striking fabric color works as a bold yet refined statement, while accent pillows in beige and chevron patterns bring some drama and life to the scene. While not visible, the solid red oak frame provides hearty support to last for years of enjoyment. At 101” long, a full-size adult can stretch fully out on this performance fabric sofa with plenty more room for a plus-one to sit.
→ Learn More: How Much Does It Cost to Reupholster a Couch
Linen Upholstery
At first glance, linen might be mistaken for cotton upholstery fabric, but there are some key differences between the two couch fabrics. When it all boils down, it’s mainly about the senses. Cotton is soft and often downy—a big reason why it’s such a popular couch material—but that gentle feel is vulnerable to wear and tear. On the other hand, linen is one of the most durable couch fabrics, but that also means it isn’t as soft as cotton.
Cotton and linen fibers look similar, but the two are made of entirely different crops. Cotton upholstery, of course, is manufactured from cotton, but linen is made from the flax plant. Both materials are natural, however, linen is more expensive due to its superior durability over cotton. Linen has an average rub count of 25,000.
We Recommend Linen Upholstery if:
✅ You need furniture that stands the test of roughhousing and everyday use.
✅ A sofa that is easy to clean is a must.
✅ You’re looking for a sofa that is naturally hypoallergenic.
✅ Seating that’s a little abrasive is okay.
We Recommend: The Uttermost Karline Natural Linen Bench
Brimming with old-world architecture, this charming bench with linen upholstery fabric makes a lovely addition in front of your favorite living room chair or at the foot of the bed. It also features a blend of cotton for a touch of softness whether you sit or rest your legs. You’ll love the hand-carved detailing and nailhead accents on this accessory whether you use it all the time or as a statement piece.
Velvet Upholstery
In the old days, velvet was a prized material made from the fine fibers of silk. Nowadays, the effect is replicated by using synthetic materials. On one hand, that means the feel isn’t as soft as genuine velvet is, but it also means you can get a velvet sofa a nearly identical touch at a fraction of the price it used to be. In some cases, hybrid velvet infused with silk strands might be used for a touch of luxury, but most manufacturers opt for durable materials such as nylon, polyester, or rayon.
Unfortunately, velvet has a relatively low double rub count, and its pile can wear away with overuse. This is the main reason velvet is used on smaller furniture, and you hardly see velvet couches or sectionals. With that said, velvet is a majestic material full of dimension that’s great at adding depth and visual interest to a space.
We Recommend Velvet Upholstery if:
✅ You only plan to use the seating occasionally.
✅ You aren’t allergic to dust (velvet is a dust magnet!)
✅ Paying a little extra for something special is okay with you.
We Recommend: The A & B Home Dougray Black/Blue Armchair
Feel the buzz of this electric blue armchair tailored in the plush feel of velvet upholstery. Undeniably modern, this accent chair features elegantly winged armrests and a high back ideal for nestling in. Below, peg legs with golden tips provide a pop of opulence to make this piece special where you place it.
Hopefully, this guide on couch material types has helped you understand which fabrics work with your lifestyle and taste. By knowing which furniture upholstery suits your needs, you’re ensuring the sofa, chair, or loveseat you purchase has the best chance at lasting its full potential lifespan. If our recommendations have inspired you to rethink your living room, then explore even more today by browsing the Bob Mills Furniture catalog online or in-store today!
Why Trust Bob Mills Furniture?
At Bob Mills Furniture, we believe that everyone is family. Since 1971, we have delivered beautiful furniture for 50 years (and counting), with ten sprawling locations in the U.S. — from our flagship store in Oklahoma City to San Antonio in Texas to Wichita in Kansas. Our friendly staff aims to offer the greatest comfort and value, with elegant styles to match your taste, décor, and design. In addition to coziness and style, we also stock furniture and mattress brands with strong reputations and track records of durability so that you can enjoy your investment for years to come.
Shop Upholstered Furniture at Bob Mills
Start reveling in endless comfort and shop furniture online for unbeatable prices at Bob Mills. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you determine which furniture upholstery is best for you — whether you call the Bob Mills Furniture store nearest you or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our showrooms throughout Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas to discover why we are everyone’s favorite local furniture store. Visit us today!
Learn More: 7 Upholstered Beds for a Sophisticated Bedroom