Depending on what you’re looking for and what you need upholstery for(couches, booths, ottomans, armchairs, etc.) you’ll find an array of fabric options for your furniture. You can generally break upholstery fabrics down into two major categories; natural and artificial.

Let’s take a moment to look at our natural fabrics first. On the upper shelf price-wise we’ve got silk, which is ideal for more formal settings and not great for heavy traffic. When silk gets stains in it, they are very hard to remove and will likely need professional help. Wool, on the other hand, is a lot for durable and easy to clean, making it preferable for heavier use. Try to avoid getting wool upoholstery wet, as the smell will be very difficult to remove. Leather is all around a great options for couches, especially for households with indoor animals as it’s very easy to clean and is more durable than any other kind of covering.

Synthetic fabrics are generally more durable than most natural fabrics, as well as cheaper. They do lack the organic feeling of natural fabrics, but besides that there are very few downsides. Polyester is often used in a blend with cotton to eliminate wrinkles and is great for outdoor furniture. Nylon is also used in combination with natural fabrics and is good for indoor use, but should be kept out of the sun as the UV rays make the color fade.

Whatever you choose for your home’s upholstery, get the opinion of a professional so you are able to get whatever suits your needs the best.

A big thanks to Upholstery Minneapolis MN for the info on fabrics.