If you plan to spend many years in your home, then eventually, the time will come when you’ll need to replace some furniture. Yes, you can head to the store to pick new and ready-made pieces, but you could also design your own piece, or even reupholster a piece that still has life in it. Should you decide to find yourself in a situation that requires the choice of upholstery fabric, keep in mind that it should be something enjoyable, not stressful. Here are some tips that will hopefully help when it comes to choosing upholstery fabric for your home.
Take a Look at the Space
It the upholstered piece going to be for a large room or a small one? This is especially important when it comes to picking a pattern. Larger spaces tend to handle larger patterns, while smaller spaces look better with smaller patterns. This doesn’t mean you can’t do something different, but these are good rules to follow if you want the pieces to look visually appealing.
Assess the Piece of Furniture
What does your piece look like? Is it small and narrow or big and long? As a general rule, larger patterns will showcase better on a bigger piece such as a couch, while a small floral pattern would look its best on a chair or ottoman.
What about the piece’s style? The time period or design style it depicts will also be a factor in choosing upholstery fabric. In most cases, choosing a fabric that compliments the character of the piece will make it look the best it possibly can.
Think About its Purpose
The purpose of a piece is one of the most important things to consider. Will it be used in a high traffic area such as a family room, or a more formal setting like a dining room? Are there children or pets in the house? Does the piece sit next to a window? All of these things should be taken into consideration. Each will determine texture, durability and color, among other things in regards to your fabric choice,
For instance, woven fabrics will be more durable than printed ones. Higher thread counts will get the best wear as well. If you have children, you may want to lean towards a darker color in order to hide dirt more easily. Pets often do well with leather or microfiber fabric. If your piece is near a window, it’ll be important to look for something that is fade-resistant.
Before you start to cover your pieces, always examine the fabric before you buy. Be sure to give it a tug, pulling with and against the grain, to see if it’s good quality. Keep in mind that good quality doesn’t have to come at an outrageous price. If you shop around, you can end up with a really good deal.
