Picking the Perfect Upholstery Fabric

Whether you’re salvaging an old piece or designing a new one, picking upholstery fabric will eventually come into play. This task, which should be enjoyable, can actually be a daunting one for many. That’s not surprising with so many options like colors, textures, patterns and thread count, it can be difficult to even know where to begin. Once you have an idea on what to look for however, picking upholstery fabric can actually be fun. Hopefully, these tips will help simplify the process a bit and make your experience more pleasant.

Examine Your Space

Is your upholstered piece going in a large room or a small one? As a general rule, a larger space can visually accommodate more patterns and colors than a small one can. For instance, if you have a large room, don’t be afraid to go all out with bold colors and repeating patterns. Your room can handle it. A smaller room, however, might be more appealing with a simple print and a smaller range of color.

Assess the Piece

Is the piece you are upholstering small and narrow or big and long? A smaller piece, such as a chair, won’t really showcase a big pattern like a couch will. Instead, you might want to look for something along the lines of thin stripes or small flowers.

What is your piece’s style? Is it modern? Early American? Traditional? In most cases, the piece will look its best when covered in a fabric that compliments its character. Will the colors and patterns blend nicely with the other items in the room? Are you picking the color because you truly like it or because it’s the latest trend? These are all things to consider before making a final choice.

Wear and Tear 

Will your piece be in a high traffic area or used less often for formal affairs? Do you have kids? Are pets in the house? Is its location by a window? Taking things like this into consideration will really help you narrow down your choices.

Woven fabrics, rather than printed ones, and fabrics with higher thread counts, will definitely be the most durable. If you have children, you might want to lean toward a darker color scheme in order to hide dirt more easily. If there is a dog or a cat sharing your space, leather and microfiber fabrics are more likely to withstand your furry friends.  If your piece lives near a window, ask for fade-resistant fabrics that will hold up against sun damage.

Once you’ve narrowed down your decisions, be sure to examine the fabric before you buy. Giving the fabric a little tug and pull, both with and against the grain, is an easy way to determine the quality. If loose threads appear, the fabric is poorly made. That doesn’t mean that quality fabric comes at a higher price. You can get really good deals for your piece of furniture, if you’re willing to do some homework. Before you stop in to buy your next designer fabric at only a fraction of the cost at Cutting Corners Dallas, make sure you measure your piece of furniture correctly so that you know exactly how much fabric you will need!