Furniture fabric names. Categories of sofa upholstery! What do upholstery categories mean? The best upholstery for sofas

Every time you are going to buy upholstered furniture, you have to face many questions and doubts about how to choose the right upholstery. Almost every home has at least one sofa. This piece of furniture is at the same time a place of relaxation for soul and body, an object of embodiment of designer fantasies, an indicator of prestige and good taste. Upholstery is the most striking part of any sofa; its choice depends on many factors. A successful acquisition is only possible if all conditions are taken into account together and the most suitable options are selected.

How to choose the best option?

Among the huge variety, it is possible to select the most practical and suitable model for you, but only after analyzing the following conditions:

• Harmony with the overall interior. The room where the sofa will be located can be designed in the same style. It is very important to choose upholstered furniture so that it looks harmonious with the overall decor and other interior details.
• Presence of pets. It would be better for pet lovers to upholster their sofas so that their pets do not damage the upholstery with their claws or teeth. Cat owners especially often complain about such problems. Anti-claw fabric was created especially for them - the best reinsurance against the pranks of pets. This fabric is very variable; among all types you can find the one most suitable for your home.
• Having children. If your family has small children, then there is a special range of fabrics made from natural materials for them. This upholstery will not cause skin irritation, is hypoallergenic and can include a variety of design options suitable for a child's room. A special feature of furniture for babies is its ability to repel dirt and be easy to clean.
• The place where the sofa will be located. The choice of upholstery is adjusted to the purpose of the furniture. Fabric solutions for home and office differ significantly. The priority may be both the external effect (to create representativeness) and comfort and coziness.
• When choosing upholstery, you should think about your health. People prone to allergies need to carefully choose fabric, give preference to natural materials and ease of care for furniture.
• When choosing some fabrics, Analyze the level of illumination in the room. Certain types of materials are prone to fading, so they are not recommended for use in very bright rooms where the windows face south.

Having accurate information on all criteria, you can easily choose the upholstery option that will be ideal.

Combination with the interior

When choosing upholstery for a stylized interior, the first thing you should pay attention to is the color and pattern of the walls in the room. The choice is based on two principles: color compatibility and contrast.

Proximity in color means choosing either a warm or cool shade of upholstery - close to the wallpaper, but not merging with the tone of the walls. Turquoise, blue, and dark green colors combine perfectly. Cool brown and purple look very elegant. If you choose warm shades, then beige, burgundy, warm brown, peach, and shades of gold will find harmony with each other.

If the room has plain walls, it is permissible to cover the sofa with fabric with an ornament. Sometimes the upholstery pattern can be in harmony with the curtain pattern.

An exclusive option will be fabric sofas combined with leather inserts. This design originates in Western countries, but finds many interpretations around the world. You can choose a pattern for the fabric areas that harmonizes with the color of the skin - depending on the leather inserts. You have complete freedom in choosing fabric shade, print and texture. Leather material offers many options for combinations with fabrics; the choice depends on the purpose of using the sofa.

Sofas entirely upholstered in leather are often purchased for office premises. They are laconic, strict and durable (with proper care).

It is better to cover a living room sofa with suede, flock and other wear-resistant fabrics. Velor, chenille and tapestry upholstery are perfect for the bedroom.

When you select a sofa for old interior, it is advisable to bring a photo of your room on electronic media. In furniture showrooms you can simulate the look of your room with various options for sofas and, based on clear example, make a choice.

If your apartment is designed in a particular style, it is worth considering the shape of the furniture, its size and role in the interior. For fans traditional style a sofa will do rectangular in shape - with plain upholstery or a not very catchy ornament. This choice is acceptable in the Empire and Baroque styles.

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The sophisticated and trendy Art Deco style can be perfectly embodied in black or plum tones. The curved lines of the sofa frame will harmonize stunningly with geometric patterns. The classic version is realized using plain fabrics (using various materials - from silk to velor).

The avant-garde style is characterized by bright, flashy shades. Upholstered furniture is not bulky, but there is often a color accent on it.

The main feature of the English style are sofas with leather upholstery. Fabric design in restrained colors - green, brown, gray - is acceptable.

Basic fabrics for covering the bed in oriental style– silk and velvet. Ensemble of gold and blue flowers perfectly sets off dark green, purple and burgundy shades upholstered furniture. All this makes the interior luxurious.

A fashionable trend is to decorate a room in an African style. It is the furniture upholstery that adds a unique note to this outrageous design. Upholstery prints with imitation animal skins dominate. Leopard, tiger and zebra prints have become classics of the African design genre.

In the Georgian style, the main type of upholstery is tapestries. A country-style sofa is often upholstered in a checkered fabric or material with other geometric patterns (with a characteristic simplicity of lines). Cream, gold and other noble colors upholstery material– characteristics of sofas in classic style. Many of them are complemented by a pattern in the form of curlicues, similar to stucco on the walls.

Military leather upholstery, striped pin-up patterns, the monotony of minimalism and the restraint of functionalism - all these features are reflected in the upholstery of the sofas. More than 70 design options, each of which is unique in its own way - all this combines types of upholstered furniture that perfectly complement the atmosphere of any room.

Classification by fabric composition

In the modern world, there are a large number of fabrics for upholstering sofas. This whole set can be classified depending on the composition of the material. There are 4 main groups of upholstery fabrics:

• Natural. These fabrics are made from pure natural materials, without chemical processing and synthetic impurities. The most common representatives of this group: cotton, matting, wool.
• Synthetic. These fabrics are based on synthetic fiber. They are almost never used in their pure form, but are included in many other upholstery materials. Such fibers are durable and easy to care for, withstand cleaning well and have high wear resistance. The main disadvantage of such a coating is that static voltage accumulates in it. Nylon, polyester, acrylic are the main representatives of this type of fabric.

Polyester – great option, which is sometimes difficult to distinguish from natural. It underlies many upholstery materials - flock, velor and other fabrics that are smooth to the touch. This material has big amount advantages: resistance to moisture, breathability, lightness, wear resistance.

Nylon fibers, which are used in the manufacture of flock, are very elastic, resistant to chemical influences and repeated washing. This material is often used to make pile.

Acrylic can even withstand exposure to acidic and alkaline solutions. It looks like wool and withstands impact very well. sun rays and washing. This material is the basis for the production of chenille coating.

• Artificial. What makes these fabrics special is the way they are produced. Natural fibers are industrially processed into threads, which are then used to create upholstery. Such materials easily allow air to pass through and absorb moisture.

The most common furniture covering of this type is viscose - a soft fabric that is pleasant to the touch. It retains heat perfectly, absorbs moisture and allows air to pass through. But its fibers wear out quite quickly, especially with frequent contact with water.

• IN modern production A special place is given to the combined type of coatings. This option is in great demand and includes a variety of textures to suit every taste.
• The anti-cat coating may include: various materials: flock, chenille, faux suede, polymer base and even tapestry. Using any option you like, you do not neglect the beauty of your home - and at the same time take care of the comfort of your pets.

Upholstery fabric options

Whatever composition of furniture covering you choose, there is a risk of getting “lost” in the variety of types of options with a similar composition. The following types are in greatest demand:

• Cotton is a breathable and environmentally friendly fabric. A special feature of cotton is that it is antistatic. It is pleasant to the touch, but quickly wears out and deforms. Cotton upholstery fades and does not withstand exposure to water. It is optimal to cover a sofa with cotton temporarily or in a room where there is no need to frequently clean and treat the upholstery.

• The matting is called “furniture fabric”. It is quite coarse and consists of an interlacing of linen threads. Often added to upholstery fabric synthetic material. This material does not wrinkle and can be easily cleaned with water and soap or a vacuum cleaner. With proper care it is very durable.
• Goat and sheep wool often becomes the basis for creating sofa upholstery. Wool material can be of different densities, and breathability depends on this. This material does not absorb odors, provides additional comfort during the cold season, and is resistant to stains.

• Silk is used as upholstery fabric. It is absolutely hypoallergenic, but easily wrinkles and deforms. Silk will provide additional comfort in hot weather - unlike woolen material. It is pleasant to the touch, but less resistant to dirt. This type of upholstery must be cleaned very carefully.

• Tapestry is an upholstery fabric that is a whole panel of patterns. The production is based on silk and wool fibers. The undoubted advantage of tapestry is its resistance to wear and sunlight. However, such fabric should be protected from contamination, because it can be difficult to remove.

• A durable material is chenille, consisting of twisted fabric fibers. It has high strength and wear resistance. This material is chosen very often. This option can be embodied in different colors, which many consumers like.

• Furniture fur is used to decorate sofas– it goes well with fabric coverings of various textures and gives a special piquancy not only to upholstered furniture, but to the entire interior.

• No less often, artificial suede is used for upholstery. It combines simplicity and solidity. Its quality is determined by various factors: processing features, weight, density of the material.
• Pile weave upholstery fabric is a very beautiful and pleasant to the touch material. Using this technique, velvet, velor and flock fabrics are created. In most cases, these fibers include cotton and polyester. The density of pile coverings varies depending on the ratio of these materials - for example, flock is stronger than velvet. It is recommended to treat such coatings with antistatic agents to facilitate further cleaning.

• Microfiber is a material made from polymer fibers. This is a great substitute if you don't want to choose suede. Microfiber has a similar feel to the touch, but the price of such material is much more affordable. This type of coating is suitable for allergy sufferers, it is wear-resistant and allows for various design options.
• The ensemble of synthetic and cotton threads creates jacquard - a practical lint-free upholstery. You can forget about the problems associated with pollution if you choose this option. You can clean this upholstery with any available means. It repels water, so appearance The sofa will not be damaged by accidentally spilling liquid on it.

• Velvet upholstery is a great option for those who like to immerse themselves in the comfort of home. This fabric is created by attaching small fluffy tassels to a durable base. But in modern production, this technology has improved so much that it can be difficult to distinguish corduroy from velor - the material is very soft and pleasant to the touch.

• One of the achievements modern world is anti-vandal upholstery of the sofa. It is created for pet lovers. This coating is almost impossible to damage, it is resistant to external influences, to wear and dirt.

Features and benefits of a fabric sofa

When purchasing a sofa, many buyers cannot decide on the choice: leather or fabric upholstery. No matter how solid the leather material may look, there are a number of reasons why you should choose a fabric covering:

• Leather upholstery on a sofa is much more difficult to maintain than fabric upholstery. Contaminants from fabric can be removed with quite accessible means that are always at hand. In case of leather product It may be necessary to purchase additional care products. The prices of such products are sometimes quite high.
• Fabric products can be decorated with various prints. Leather coverings also suggest a variety of sofa designs, but the choice design solutions not so wide.
• Leather sofas look very representative, but do not bring such tactile comfort as fabric products. During the hot season, the skin may stick to the body, causing discomfort.
• An important advantage of fabric products is their low price.(compared to leather ones). You can even upholster a large sofa - and not face serious financial expenses.

When purchasing upholstered furniture, few people pay attention to the basic parameters and quality indicators, such as the categories of sofa upholstery.

Most buyers intend to purchase good product as cheaply as possible, but the price cannot be lower than its cost, and it consists of many parameters. There are no bad sofas, there are no right choice purchases, including the material with which the model is covered– some need strong fabrics, others need decorative ones, and some prefer only white or black leather.

Choosing a sofa based on furniture upholstery

When choosing upholstered furniture, buyers are guided by its functionality, that is, the room where it should be used.

Some feel the need to update their office, others want to replace home furniture in an apartment or arrange Vacation home. To furnish a room with taste and at the same time invest in a small budget, it is important to buy a sofa of the appropriate level. Why look at luxury products and shy away from prices if you can buy enough for your dacha? nice budget sofa. Inexpensive furniture has its advantages, and it fully corresponds to its price category, while luxury products occupy their niche.

In most cases, sofas are selected based on their upholstery, and its color should match the overall decor of the room.

Furniture fabrics are produced in a huge assortment, and when reupholstering furniture and replacing upholstery, you can choose a more expensive and prestigious one, then the entire product will look like new and expensive. And when buying, you want to choose something elegant that matches the design style. And not it must be leather or its analogue, for example, arpatek has all the advantages of fabric and repeats the appearance of natural leather. Modern and stylish products often have beautiful upholstery made of colored fabrics with naturalistic patterns or abstractions.

In the expensive category of fabrics for upholstery of sofas, plain jacquard products with a patterned weave of matte and glossy threads look very elegant, forming beautiful iridescence. Velvety fabrics and modern varieties of furniture velor look no less chic, especially shades natural stones, which on bends play with all faces like:

• purple amethyst;
• blue sapphire;
• crimson red ruby;
• deep green emerald;
• yellowish topaz.

For a schoolchild's bedroom or children's room, colored fabrics with protective coating anti-vandal type. Felt-tip pens and other traces of children's “art” can be easily removed from them. For thrifty children, upholstery in natural fabrics that valued for their environmental friendliness. In online stores of upholstered furniture, both types of sofas are presented in a large assortment.

Among living room sofas today, the most popular upholstery fabrics are:

• leather and arpatek substitutes;
• flock and other fabrics with a fine-pile structure reminiscent of suede;
• velvet and velor,
• jacquard plain fabrics With different types patterns that are obtained by combining threads of different textures;
• chenille and other fabrics with fluffy thread;
• rep velor, combining the advantages of rep and velor;
• silky taffeta and natural silk;
• thermal jacquard, where the pattern is applied to the pile base using dye evaporation;
• practical flock;
• tapestry with a colored pattern;
• boucle, matting and other textured fabrics.

What do upholstery categories mean?

When choosing a sofa based on the type of upholstery, pay attention to the category of upholstery, which directly affects its cost:

• Category 0 – lighter fabric (cotton, scotchgard, series of fabrics with fluffy thread and inexpensive thermal jacquard);
• Category 1 – inexpensive fabrics (flock, corduroy, simple chenille and tapestry, faux suede);
• Category 2 – denser and more practical, including everything listed in category 1, as well as transitional materials with related properties;
• Category 3 – denser fabrics (chenille, faux suede and nubuck, tapestry and fabrics with complex textures);
• Category 4 – heavy furniture fabrics listed names and faux fur;
• Category 5 – natural fabrics based on natural fibers;
• Category 6 – expensive leatherettes and luxury fabrics;
• Category 7 – genuine leather and luxury fabrics;
• Category 8 – expensive genuine leather and rare fur.

The lower the categorization number of furniture fabrics, the lower its price, so there cannot be budget sofas with luxury upholstery.

Cheap adhesive-based materials and printed synthetics are usually used for furniture for teenagers and budget sofas. Exclusive Italian fabrics are used for luxury furniture or luxury sets with upholstery of at least category 6. Running gear practical fabrics– these are average category figures; such sofas form the basis of furniture production.

1. Fashion for furniture textiles also has its own fashion seasons, which are tracked using specialized catalogs. But for a spectacular or ultra-modern interior, the aesthetic component is more important than brand fashion.

2. When purchasing an elite or office furniture take into account general trends and latest developments. Colored fabrics are not appropriate for the office; they are more suitable for the living room and other furnishings.

3. When choosing between natural and synthetic furniture upholstery, look at their practicality and the body's reaction - natural materials are recommended for allergy sufferers.

It is impossible to imagine any room without comfortable and cozy upholstered furniture. In the office, its presence contributes to successful business negotiations. IN home environment Comfortable soft sofas and armchairs help you relax after a hard day at work. When choosing upholstered furniture, you need to pay attention not only to the dimensions and design, but also to the material used for the upholstery of the model.

General quality indicators

All types of fabrics used as upholstery of upholstered furniture, in addition to attractive appearance and compliance specific interior must also meet certain quality indicators. The main characteristics that determine quality include several factors that need to be guided by:

• Fiber composition. Any upholstery material contains certain fibers - natural, synthetic or artificial. It is also possible to combine them in different percentages.
• Wear resistance. Fabric resistance to abrasion, stretching, friction, ability to recover after compression.
• Fire resistance. The ability of upholstery material to resist fire.
• The color fastness of upholstery material is characterized by its ability to retain color when exposed to various factors, such as UV rays, humidity, and mechanical friction. This factor depends on the dyes used to impart color to the material.
• Wrinkleability. The ability of fabric to form folds during mechanical stress, as well as the possibility of their restoration.
• Strength refers to the ability of upholstery to withstand tearing. This factor influences the quality of upholstery material to a greater extent than others. The strength of the material is directly related to the fibers, more precisely, to their density and composition.
• Breathability. The ability of upholstery material to allow air to pass through. It depends on the method of weaving the fibers, with the help of which through pores are formed, facilitating the passage of air.
• Availability of additional coatings or impregnations. To impart certain properties to the upholstery material, the fabric is treated with a certain composition. Teflon-coated fabric has not only water-repellent properties, but also dirt-repellent properties. Teflon impregnation is applied either by spraying or by dipping the material into the composition. With this treatment, the fibers of the upholstery material are covered with a protective shell, while the material does not lose its original properties, but becomes more practical in everyday life.
• To give the upholstery material special strength and to prevent excessive stretching and shrinkage, an additional base is made.
• The ability to clean upholstery not only using the dry method, but also wet method, as well as using foam. Washable fabric has the ability to quickly clean various contaminants using one of three cleaning methods.
• Pillability is the ability of a fabric to form pills. Non-pilling of upholstery material is an indicator of high-quality fabric.

Using various indicators of upholstery material, the category of fabric is determined.

Types, pros and cons of furniture upholstery fabric

Modern upholstery materials are very diverse. In addition to the main quality indicators, there are other factors that allow them to be classified as one or another type of material.

Flock

This type of finishing fabric is obtained by combining fibers of polyester, cotton and nylon. The woven base or canvas is impregnated with glue and then placed in an electrostatic field to apply fine fibers. Upholstery flock has a number of undoubted advantages that allow it to occupy a leading position in the production of upholstered furniture. In addition to its attractive appearance, this anti-vandal fabric is particularly strong and durable. It is resistant to sunlight, moisture and does not require special care, while maintaining an excellent appearance for quite a long time.

But there is also a small drawback to this upholstery material - it strongly absorbs foreign odors.

Chenille

Characterized by a special thread structure. Externally, the thread resembles a caterpillar; tufts of pile are woven between two especially strong threads, which in turn are twisted. With the help of this structural thread, various patterns are created, giving the fabric a velvety volume and some delicacy. The composition of chenille can be different and depends on the type of raw material used. Cotton, viscose, polyester and acrylic are the most commonly used. Typically, these types of fibers are mixed in different percentages. The upholstery material is particularly durable. Dense and wear-resistant fabric at an affordable price is easy to dry clean.

The disadvantages include chenille's low resistance to moisture and sensitivity to animal claws.

Velveteen

It has a fabric texture similar to velor. The velvety surface is formed due to the different arrangement of fluffy fibers. The fibers can be completely natural and consist of cotton, or they can be completely synthetic. There are samples with the addition of viscose. Durable and wear-resistant fabric has low thermal conductivity, which is especially comfortable for the skin. The fabric is resistant to stains and wrinkles. Elastic and relatively durable material Easy to clean with a simple soap solution.

But there are also disadvantages. Upholstery fabric does not tolerate rough mechanical influences, which can greatly deteriorate the appearance of the furniture. In addition, the fabric is sensitive to the effects of UV rays and fades. Too active cleaning spoils the structure of the fabric.

Microfiber

Visually reminiscent of flock and made from polyester fibers, it is known for its durability and practicality. The dense arrangement of the fibers gives this upholstery material the ability to repel liquids and various contaminants, preventing them from penetrating inside. This feature makes microfiber a very popular and sought-after fabric used as upholstery material. Besides, this material has an anti-claw effect, which is a definite plus, especially for pet owners. Hypoallergenic fabric with high abrasion resistance.

The high cost of fabric is the main disadvantage. In addition, she requires specific care using special products.

Tapestry

It is based on a large percentage of cotton. Durable and durable material is very resistant to moisture. This material also has disadvantages. Increased abrasion is directly dependent on the number of cotton threads. The higher the percentage of cotton, the faster the upholstery deteriorates. In addition, the tapestry fades in the sun.

Jacquard

It has a smooth, lint-free structure. The original ornament, which is based on a large rapport, is created through complex weaving. Jacquard fabric, due to its strength and for a long time service, quite often used as upholstery for upholstered furniture. This woven material does not fade in the sun and has increased wear resistance.

The disadvantages of the fabric include the slippery surface and the high cost of the material. In addition, this upholstery material does not tolerate wet cleaning well, as a result of which the original color of the fabric can fade significantly or even change shade.

Linen

Natural material of plant origin has many advantages. The material is pleasant to the touch, perfectly absorbs moisture and allows air to pass through. Natural fibers accept dyes well, so this fabric can be dyed any color. Durable and abrasion-resistant fabric does not fade or fade in the sun, and with the addition of a small percentage of synthetic fibers it is less susceptible to creasing.

For people who prefer eco-style in the interior of an apartment or house, the most suitable option There will be furniture with linen upholstery. It perfectly withstands mechanical stress, such as wet and dry cleaning, as well as drying with an iron. The only disadvantage of this fabric is its high cost.

Sackcloth

Eco-friendly materials also include burlap, which can consist of either cotton or linen threads. In appearance, the fabric resembles matting with the same characteristic checkerboard weave. Its coarse fibrous structure is highly wear-resistant, so upholstered furniture covered with burlap will last for quite a long time. Practical, durable and wear-resistant fabric is quite easy to care for. The disadvantages of this upholstery fabric include high cost and susceptibility to rotting due to excessive moisture.

Leather and its varieties

Genuine leather is used to make high-quality upholstered furniture. This material has a presentable appearance. Furniture covered with genuine leather is not only durable in use, but is also not afraid of long-term loads. The high cost of this material is practically the only disadvantage.

An alternative to genuine leather is artificial. Leatherette is a fairly wear-resistant material, outwardly very similar to natural leather, but, in fact, different from it. The material is pleasant to the touch, resistant to stress and dirt, and does not absorb odors. It is easy to care for. But leatherette also has its drawbacks: it fades when exposed to sunlight and is afraid of high temperatures.

Eco-leather is a type of artificial leather, but with improved qualities. In appearance it resembles genuine leather. The surface of this material has excellent air permeability, is not afraid of high temperatures and is very wear-resistant. In addition, the price of this material is much lower than genuine leather.

Faux suede

Durable, wear-resistant and abrasion resistant modern material. It has low pile and has a structure with many micropores, due to which it has such performance characteristics. After treating the material with Teflon impregnation, it becomes resistant to UV rays and various contaminants.

What is companion fabric?

Very often a sofa, armchair, sofa or ottoman is made not from one type of fabric, but from two or even three. The main upholstery material, as a rule, predominates, that is, it occupies large area products. Used to cover seats and backrests. Companion fabric occupies a smaller area and, as a rule, is localized on the front panel of the sofa under the seat. It is used to cover armrests, if available, and is also used in pillows located under the back or on the side.

The companion fabric should be combined in texture and color with the main option. As a rule, the main fabric has a bright pattern, and the companion has a neutral, calm shade.

Texture, color and print

The structure of a material with a characteristic smooth or rough relief is called texture, which is responsible for tactile sensations. The texture of an upholstery material is the visible design or pattern. Each type of fabric has its own texture, which is usually uniform. In fleecy fabrics, it is formed due to the different inclination of the pile.

Depending on the technologies used, different surfaces are obtained:

• velvet texture - with a perpendicular arrangement of the pile;
• curly - when the pile has different heights and is applied at different angles relative to the base.

The design is applied to fleecy fabric using dry or wet printing. The second method is more preferable, since thanks to it the color of the fabric is stable, rich and durable. In addition, to give the fleecy fabric a certain pattern, a method such as embossing is used. The roller is rolled over the textile and leaves indentations that form the pattern.

The texture of genuine leather is of natural origin and depends on the type of animal. Artificial leather can be given any texture inherent in natural material. To do this, a PVC coating is applied to the woven base. As a rule, artificial and natural leather are plain. The most popular colors are black, white, plum, brown, and beige.

Fabrics that are based on a smooth, lint-free structure, such as jacquard, scotchgard, tapestry, linen, and cotton, are characterized by the presence of a texture formed by the interweaving of threads. The fabric can have a smooth surface, either with or without a colored pattern. There is also a textured surface, which is characterized by a pattern formed by combining threads of different thicknesses.

Tapestry used as upholstery material is typically characterized by abstract and floral prints. Abstract composition can be represented geometric shapes of different sizes, arranged in a chaotic order. The floral theme is represented mainly by drawings with various roses, daisies, orchids and many other flowers. The design is applied to the tapestry using a woven method by weaving threads of different colors.

The pattern of jacquard fabric consists of an original ornament, which is based on a large repeat created by complex weaving. This fabric is characterized by a rich range of colors.

Chenille is another representative of lint-free fabrics. The soft texture of chenille comes in a variety of colors and patterns. The color range is represented not only by such traditional colors as black, brown, white, green, but also by less common shades: terracotta, crimson, red, emerald. The prints of this type of fabric are extremely diverse. Particularly popular designs for upholstery are stripes, floral themes and abstract themes.

Today's wide variety of textures, textures, colors and prints of upholstery fabrics makes it possible for everyone to choose upholstered furniture in accordance with their taste preferences and financial capabilities.

How to choose material?

The service life of any type of upholstered furniture directly depends on the quality of the upholstery. Therefore, when buying a sofa, armchairs, ottoman or sofa, you need to decide how you plan to use the furniture.

Installing upholstered furniture in the living room involves everyday use not only for relaxation, but, sometimes, for eating, watching an interesting film or educational program. Therefore, in addition to an attractive appearance, the upholstery must be resistant to various types contamination and mechanical damage. This is especially important if you have pets who love a soft sofa no less than their owners.

When choosing a sofa or sofa for a nursery, you need to adhere to slightly different criteria:

1. Upholstery fabric on upholstered furniture intended for installation in a nursery must be safe, hypoallergenic and resistant to various types of stains.
2. Fabrics containing natural fibers are considered the safest. Fabrics that contain synthetic fibers that do not attract dust are considered hypoallergenic. Resistance to dirt is achieved using special coatings.
3. More preferable for children's rooms combined option furniture upholstery: natural fibers in upholstery fabric should predominate over synthetic threads, and to ensure resistance to stains, the fabric is treated with a Teflon coating.
4. Sofa cushions placed on upholstered furniture perform not only a purely practical function, but also an aesthetic one. The fabric for the pillows is chosen taking into account the style of the interior, the color and texture of the upholstered furniture. In addition, it is necessary that the material intended for pillows is safe and easy to clean.

How to refresh upholstery at home?

Upholstered furniture is a favorite resting place for the whole family, so the upholstery often gets dirty. To give it a presentable appearance, you can use several methods, depending on the contamination.

• You can get rid of dust using a vacuum cleaner. If you have a special attachment, cleaning will be much faster and more efficient. To refresh the color of upholstery fabric, you can put gauze soaked in this solution on a special attachment: add 2-3 tablespoons of salt to warm water. The exception to this cleaning method is fabric with velor or velvet upholstery.
• Another way to tidy upholstery fabric is to beat it with a damp cloth soaked in a solution: add 2 tablespoons of salt and 1 tablespoon of vinegar to 1 liter of warm water. A rag soaked in this liquid is placed on upholstered furniture and the dust is knocked out using available means, rinsing periodically. As a rule, dirt settles on wet cloth.
• You can refresh your upholstery with Vanish. To do this, you need to dissolve 1 part of the product in 9 parts of water and beat the resulting solution until a strong foam. Apply the latter to the upholstery and clean, let the upholstery dry for a while, and then vacuum it.

Watch the following video for everything about cleaning a sofa at home.

How to change old casing yourself?

Over time, the appearance of any upholstered furniture becomes not very presentable and the material needs to be replaced. You can change outdated upholstery at home or with your own hands. Although the process is not quick and very labor-intensive, anyone can upholster a favorite sofa or sofa.

First you need to prepare the necessary tools and, of course, new upholstery. Tools you will need are wrenches, an anti-stapler, and large scissors.

In order for the result to meet expectations, you must follow the step-by-step recommendation.

1. First, let's disassemble the sofa. If the furniture design is very complex and replete with many parts, then to facilitate subsequent reassembly they can be numbered. In order to fasteners don't get lost, you can put them in a box.
2. Next, we begin to carefully remove the old upholstery, carefully ripping out all the seams. As a rule, the upholstery is attached to the furniture using staples, and in older models using small nails. It is extremely undesirable to tear old upholstery from staples or nails, because an error of even a few millimeters will lead to an undesirable result.
3. After the old upholstery is removed, you need to inspect all the mechanisms of the sofa. This will help identify broken elements, if any. If all parts and mechanisms work, then you can simply lubricate all connections with machine oil.
4. After separating the upholstery material from the structure, it must be steamed. This is done in order to cut out all the elements accurately enough.
5. Let's start the pattern. To do this, spread new upholstery material on a flat surface and place the steamed elements on it. old upholstery, for reliability we attach them with pins. Then we outline each detail with a piece of soap, remove the fixing pins and cut out. Now we sheathe the parts and you can start stretching the finished upholstery onto the furniture.
6. To secure the upholstery material to the frame, you must use a stapler. To ensure that the material sits evenly, at this stage it is better to involve an assistant: one will pull and the other will attach the material. When all the elements are attached, all that remains is to rejoice at the result.

We suggest watching a video lesson on this topic below.

Options in the interior

In order for upholstered furniture to look good in the interior of an apartment or house, when choosing it you must adhere to some rules:

• The upholstery fabric should be in harmony with existing interior by color, texture and texture. The upholstery should not only be beautiful, but practical.
• The combination of upholstery color and interior style comes in several classic versions.

Upholstered furniture in dark blue or red tones will look great in a room decorated in the style of constructivism and techno.

Upholstered furniture in black, white and gray tones will fit into the Gothic and minimalist style.

Brown, white and golden colors of upholstery fabric will look good in a room decorated in Baroque, Renaissance and Empire styles.

Red, black, yellow, beige and blue tint upholstery fabric goes well with art decor style.

Bright shades of upholstery are suitable for high-tech style. Upholstery with colors and patterns goes well with baroque, modern and classic styles.

For a harmonious overall picture of the room, it is necessary that the print and color be repeated in other interior elements.

When choosing fabric for upholstery, the vast majority of buyers rely only on their own taste. This is not entirely correct, since it is necessary to take into account the characteristics of the fabric for upholstery, its strength, and functionality. In order to make the right choice, you need to have some knowledge about the classification of fabrics, features different types, technical specifications. Today we will talk about some key points, knowing which, you can independently choose the fabric for upholstery.

Types of fabrics for upholstery

Fabrics for upholstery (otherwise called upholstery fabrics) are classified according to several criteria.

According to the composition of fabrics for upholstery, there are:

• Natural

Despite the name, natural fabrics for upholstery can contain up to 30% natural fibers (wool, linen, jute, cotton, etc.). The advantages of upholstery fabrics are environmental friendliness and anti-allergenic properties. In addition, such fabrics allow air to pass through well. But there are also significant disadvantages - natural fabrics for furniture upholstery wear out quickly, wrinkle during use, and can shrink.

• Synthetic

Synthetic fabrics for upholstery contain no natural fibers at all. The fabric consists of threads of polyamide (nylon, nylon) or polyester (polyester, lavsan, acrylic) origin. Synthetics are highly wear-resistant, almost do not shrink, retain color, and do not wrinkle. There are also disadvantages - synthetic fabrics for furniture upholstery, they accumulate static electricity and do not allow air to pass through well.

• Artificial

When creating artificial fabrics for furniture upholstery, threads made through industrial processing from natural raw materials are used. They combine the advantages and disadvantages of natural and synthetic fabrics (for example, being highly breathable, they have lower wear resistance compared to synthetics).

Since each type of fabric for upholstery has its own pros and cons, they are usually not used in their pure form. Fabric for upholstery is usually made from three types of fibers - natural, synthetic and artificial.

When buying a sofa, the question arises which upholstery fabric is best to choose. After all, the service life of the sofa will depend on its quality.

Choosing the right upholstery fabric primarily depends on how you plan to use the sofa. Let me give you a few examples.

Fabric for a sofa in the living room. If the sofa will be used as a place to sit and relax, for example, then first of all the upholstery of such a sofa must be resistant to dirt and mechanical stress. Who doesn’t like to eat while sitting on the sofa in front of the TV screen, but then you just got distracted by a match or your favorite TV series and, “OPS”, sent a piece of cutlet with ketchup instead of a mouth onto the upholstery of the sofa. And friends with beer and fish, and your favorite cat or dog. Everyone just wants to get your favorite sofa dirty. It’s good when the fabric is not afraid of this. For intense loads, fabrics made from synthetic fibers are well suited. They wash well and do not absorb odors and dirt.

Sofa upholstery fabric for sleeping. Another example of using a sofa is a sofa for organizing a sleeping area. Such a sofa is not used as intensively as a sofa from the living room and therefore, for its upholstery, criteria that ensure comfortable rest and sleep are more important. The fabric of the sofa for sleeping is preferably made from natural materials, or at least the upholstery fabric should contain at least 50% natural fibers. Flock fabric is quite suitable for a sleeping sofa. It does not lint and does not cause allergies, holds its shape well and is suitable for daily use.

Fabric for a sofa in a nursery. Textile children's sofa must be resistant to intense pollution. Kids love to improvise - here paints and glue and a turtle and a hamster on the sofa are used. But in addition to being resistant to dirt, the fabric should not cause allergies, and if possible, be natural. Cotton is often used as upholstery on children's sofas. True, all natural fabrics do not tolerate pollution well. As a way out, you can treat a sofa made of natural fabric with a special protective impregnation made of teflon.

Fabric for upholstering a sofa in the kitchen-dining room. The upholstery of such a sofa should not absorb kitchen odors, be easy to wash and repel grease and dirt. Faux leather upholstery will cope well with this task. Fabrics with absorbent surfaces are contraindicated for the kitchen.

I hope the principle of choosing the best fabric has become clear to you.

How to correctly evaluate the quality of fabric for upholstery of a sofa

From qualitative concepts - good fabric or not, I will move on to a more important one - a quantitative evaluation system.

There are generally accepted characteristics by which one can judge the quality of a sofa's fabric. Fabric testing is carried out by specialized independent companies. The results of their tests are digital indicators of various fabric characteristics.

Fabric manufacturers usually indicate the test parameters of their products in the quality certificate. When purchasing, you can ask the seller for it.

I will not dwell in detail on the test methods, but will only present their results. I collected the data into a small table

Main characteristics of fabrics affecting their performance properties

Fabric characteristics	Unit	Badly	Average	Fine	Great
Wear resistance-determines the fabric’s abrasion resistance. During the test, the fabric is rubbed in a circular motion. This indicator is often called the Martindale test in fabric passports.	number of revolutions	≥ 15 000	≥ 20 000	≥ 30 000	≥ 40 000
Fabric density - indicator is very important. Determines the number of threads in the fabric per centimeter. The higher the density of the fabric, the higher quality it is.	grams per square meter	less than 200	200-300	350-400	more than 450
Rolling (pilling) determines the formation of pellets on the fabric. During testing, the fabric is subjected to dense friction and an assessment is made after 5000 revolutions.	peeling scale from 1 to 5	1 point	2 points	3-4 points	5 points
Seam strength. The ability of seams to bear tensile load. The sewn pieces of fabric are stretched.	elongation in mm.	≥ 7 mm.	5-6 mm.	3-4 mm.	1-2 mm.
Fabric tensile strength. Characterizes the force that must be applied to tear the tissue when stretched to the sides	force (in N) and tissue elongation in %	350 N more than 80%	350 N 60-70%	350 N 45-50%	350 N less than 40%
Color fastness to friction. Determines the ability of a fabric to retain color when rubbed dry and wet.	friction scale from 1 to 5	1 point	2 points	3-4 points	5 points
Color fastness to light. The ability of fabric to retain color when exposed to sunlight	light scale from 1 to 8	1 point	2-3 points	4 points	≥ 5 points
Color fastness to dry cleaning. Characterizes the ability of a fabric to retain color when dry cleaned.	scale from 1 to 5	1 point	2-3 points	4 points	5 points
Fire resistance of fabric, is her ability to withstand open fire. The higher this indicator, the better. Keep in mind that fire resistance classes are in order from 1 - the best to 5 the worst	Class	5th grade	4th grade	2-3 grades	1 class

I would like to highlight Oeko-Tex® Standard 100 Certificate. This is a European certificate, which is issued only if there are no harmful substances prohibited in the European Union in the tissues. The presence of a certificate indicates the environmental safety of the fabric

Now you have the opportunity to evaluate the quality of fabric for a sofa using a system of characteristics and will be able to compare different fabrics with each other.

You can move on to consider upholstery fabrics and their properties.

Before the review, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the type and quality of the upholstery fabric also depends. After all, the fabric, along with the filler, helps to maintain this shape.

Chenille

The name of the fabric comes from the name of the thread that is part of the fabric. Chenille (“chenille” - French caterpillar). The thread looks like a hairy caterpillar and has a soft, rounded surface. Chenille yarn, for the production of fabric, is made by twisting dense threads with chenille thread. The result is an inextensible thread, which determines the properties of the future fabric. Chenilles have complex composition(natural and synthetic fibers), approximately 50% cotton, 50% synthetic. Chenille - cut pile fabric is very dense and durable. The fabric pile can be combed on a special machine.

Chenille can have two types of base:

• Fabric base- such a base is moisture resistant and can withstand wet cleaning. The disadvantage of such a base is that it is not recommended to sleep on it all the time. Chenille with a fabric base can wrinkle and lose shape from long-term stress.
• Glued base- this type of foundation is resistant to wet cleaning. Due to water, such fabric can become deformed, and after cleaning the fabric will take a very long time to dry.

Advantages of chenille

• It has high wear resistance due to the presence of synthetic fibers.
• In terms of environmental properties, it is close to natural fabrics.
• Dust from chenille upholstery can be easily removed with a vacuum cleaner, soft brush or sponge.

Disadvantages of chenille

• The disadvantages include not being rich color scheme fabric, although quite acceptable for a moderate interior.
• When purchasing, it is very difficult to find out what base the chosen chenille has. As a result, you may buy fabric that is not suitable for your purposes.
• The fabric does not withstand the impact of pets' claws - the threads can stretch

Gozhka

Matting is a dense fabric with a fine texture. Usually monochromatic. A characteristic feature of matting is the presence of thick fibers and a rather coarse weave of threads. The fabric has increased elasticity and does not wrinkle at all for a long time, holds its shape perfectly. Caring for the matting is simple, there is no need to use special solutions or other products.

Advantages of matting

• High strength and wear resistance
• Easy to care for

Disadvantages of matting

• Weak colors

Velours

Velvety, pleasant to the touch, soft fabric. The pile can be located vertically throughout the fabric or in some areas it can be smoothed to one side. The pile is embossed, combed into a stencil or laid in the form of various patterns, so velor can be smooth, shaped, embossed, etc. Cotton and wool velor are used for upholstery of upholstered furniture.

Advantages of velor

• The ease of care of this fabric is achieved through the use of high-tech fibers in its composition, which have antistatic and anti-allergenic properties.
• Velor has a very high abrasion threshold; any dirt is easily removed from the surface of the fabric, which allows you to use this fabric for many years.

Disadvantages of velor

• High price
• Low resistance to mechanical point loads. Animal claws pricks, etc.

Flock (velvet substitute)

This is an upholstery fabric with a base of polyester and cotton (usually 35% cotton, 65% synthetic), onto which pile is applied electrostatically. First, a canvas is made from cotton thread of rare plain weave (“mesh”). It is impregnated with glue and stretched in an electromagnetic field, where lint is sprayed onto it. The result is a pile fabric of neutral white. Then the fabric is dyed by printing.

Advantages of flock

• Keeps its shape constant
• Easy to clean.
• Has good light fastness
• Has water-repellent properties
• Has a dense structure
• Has good antistatic properties - resistant to dust
• Durability of paint; brightness of colors
• Health safety.

Teflon flock (courtisan)

A modern type of upholstery fabric. Belongs to a new generation of fabrics. The fabric fibers have Teflon protection at the molecular level. Thanks to the presence of Teflon, courtesan is highly resistant to contamination. easy to clean. One of the qualities of this fabric is its good resistance to pet claws. If you have animals in your home, take a closer look at Teflon flock sofas

Tapestry

One of those natural natural upholstery fabrics. The tapestry is distinguished by the correct interweaving of yarn with a figure or ornamental composition and many different shades and colors. It can be washed. The tapestry is practical, durable, and pleasant to the touch. The ability of the fabric to take almost any shape, its plasticity, allows it to be used everywhere: on upholstered furniture, chairs, walls, and in various decorative elements.

Advantages of tapestry

• Naturalness
• Attractive appearance

Disadvantages of tapestry

• Low resistance to intense loads
• Does not tolerate wet or intensive cleaning
• High price

Jacquard

Fabric with a complex pattern of a large report (vertical and horizontal repeat of the pattern). This is achieved by interweaving longitudinal and transverse warp threads in advance in a certain order. According to the composition of the raw material, the fabric can be homogeneous or mixed, for example, polyester with viscose, cotton or acrylic. Jacquard is one of the most expensive fabrics. Such fabrics are very strong and durable, easy to use. Jacquard is used for upholstery of expensive furniture.

Advantages of jacquard

• Has high strength and durability.
• Has a rich range of colors. Looks expensive and individual

Disadvantages of jacquard

• High price of material. You have to pay for beauty.
• The fabric does not like intensive cleaning. As a result of diligent cleaning, the fabric may change color.

Thermal jacquard and scotchgard

These types of upholstery are improved types of jacquard.

Thermo-Jacquard obtained by thermal dyeing of jacquard. The design is transferred to the primary fabric under the influence of high temperature. The result is a stable fabric surface.

Scotchgard This is a jacquard coated with a transparent impregnation, which creates a protective film on the fabric, protecting it from dirt and wear. At the same time, all the aesthetic charm of the jacquard is preserved. Scotchgard works well for sofas with very heavy use, such as a sofa in a living room.

Boucle

Fabric - bouclé looks like a shorn lamb. Boucle means curl in French. Characteristic feature This tissue is characterized by the presence of dense nodules protruding on the surface of the tissue. The fabric is original decorative look. A particularly decorative effect is achieved through the use of threads different color. Boucle is a fairly durable material.

Advantages of bouclé

• Original appearance
• Low price

Disadvantages of bouclé

• Afraid of sharp objects. Contact may result in fabric ripples.
• Due to the porous surface, the fabric is quite easily soiled
• If soiled, it is necessary to immediately remove the stains with a clean cloth and mild soap;
• It is not recommended to rub stains; you need to blot them, then (if necessary) treat them with soapy water using a soft sponge and blot again with a clean cloth.

A natural skin

Genuine leather is the main facing material for the production of high-quality, “prestigious” upholstered furniture.

Advantages of genuine leather

• Prestigious appearance.
• Efficient and durable in use.
• Durable, not afraid of long-term loads
• Easy to clean.

Disadvantages of natural leather

• High price
• And perhaps the fact that it is not very comfortable to sit on a leather sofa without clothes.

Artificial leather (imitation leather, leatherette)

Material with one-sided monolithic or porous PVC coated on cotton and polyester knitted bases. Artificial leather is not inferior in performance characteristics to natural leather; it is a fairly wear-resistant material intended for both household furniture and furniture for public premises.

Advantages of artificial leather

• High resistance to dirt and stress.
• The surface does not absorb odors and dirt
• Cleans well

Disadvantages of artificial leather

• Solid colors
• Afraid of sunlight and high temperatures
• It is not comfortable to sit without outerwear, especially in hot and cold weather.

Eco leather

This type of fabric is very similar to natural leather, and is not inferior to it in terms of environmental friendliness.

This material is obtained by applying porous polyurethane to a base of dense cotton fabric. The result is a wear- and temperature-resistant fabric with a breathable surface that allows air to pass through well, which contributes to its impeccable environmental friendliness.

The surface texture both in appearance and tactile sensations resembles natural leather. The only significant difference is the price. Eco-leather is several times cheaper than genuine leather.

Arpatek

This material was originally developed for covering car seats.

Arpatek belongs to the category of artificial leather. The fabric has unique characteristics in terms of light resistance, abrasion resistance, and tensile strength. It feels like leather with perfect finishing. The materials for making arpatek are viscose, cotton and polyurethane in proportions of 42% -33% -25%.

Microfiber (artificial or furniture suede)

A modern analogue of natural suede. Appeared in 1976 in Japan. The fabric has a low-pile surface and its structure consists of many micropores. Due to micropores, the fabric has high strength and performance characteristics.

As a rule, microfiber is coated with Teflon impregnation to create protective film on the surface of the fabric, which gives it good resistance to abrasion and stress. The material does not fade and repels dirt and grease.

Microfiber is perfect for sofas with intense loads - in the living room or children's rooms

Cotton

Natural material. Colors well and breathes. The main disadvantage of cotton can be considered short term his service. To improve the characteristics of cotton, manufacturers coat it with impregnation, which prevents paint from rubbing off and premature wear. Cotton is most often used for children's sofas. Firstly, the material is environmentally friendly and harmless to children, and its short service life will require replacement along with the changing needs of an older child. Sofa for growth.

Well, now go for it!