When it comes to making investments in our living space, choosing the right sofa is no small task. It’s the first place we retreat to after a busy day of errands, where we’re at the edge of our seat, binge watching our favorite shows and where we reconnect with old friends over a warm cup of tea.
A lot happens there. So naturally a lot of thought is going to go into choosing the right style, size and material. While the first two criteria can be narrowed down pretty quickly with a keen eye and tape measurer, the answer to which sofa fabric is the best is as unique as the person asking it.
Some things to consider before deciding:
- How often the sofa will be used. Is it to fill space in an entryway or is it going in a main living room, office or other well-used room? If so, fabric durability is a must.
- If pets or children will be bouncing and lounging on it. In that case, a water-repellent, stain-proof upholstery is optimal.
- The level of upkeep certain upholsteries, like leather, require to stay looking great and feeling comfy.
Factoring in fabric longevity and how often it’ll need to be cleaned can help narrow down sofa options. Choosing a darker colored upholstery can cut down on cleaning time since it doesn’t show stains as easily
With so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming to pin exactly which fabric to go with, especially when it seems like there’s an infinite variety. Plus, some upholstery materials seem to make more sense than others. A couch made entirely from leather makes total sense, for instance, but do nylon couches really exist? Is pure silk still a thing?
The short answer to both is no.
Rather, most fibers (like nylon) used in sofas are one of many used to create a blend that makes up the actual fabric. It’s like how chocolate chip cookies aren’t just made with chocolate chips. As for expensive, delicate olde world textiles like silk? Those are now mimicked by a blend of synthetic fibers.
Now that that’s clear, here are the most popular sofa fabrics and their benefits, along with a list of other fabrics and textile threads used in living room furniture - plus which ones are best for our animal companions.
What Are The Most Popular Sofa Fabrics?
- Leather
- Microfiber
- Olefin
- High performance fabric blends
Leather
A natural textile made from animal hides and skins, leather is both classic and durable and the only couch fabric that truly doesn’t pill. Leather sofas are great for hot weather in homes that have A/C since the material absorbs the cool air and makes for refreshing summertime dozing.
Pros of Leather
- Leather sofas can be incorporated into almost any aesthetic, whether it’s a boho nursery or a minimalistic home office.
- Long lasting and never out of style, leather is not only one of the most comfortable materials for a couch, but also a dependable investment.
Cons of Leather
- Because of the porosity, it stains easily. If a coffee mug is left to rest on the arm it’ll leave a ring that has to be buffed out with leather conditioner.
- While leather wears nicely, it needs to be cleaned regularly - even if it’s not stained - to prevent damage from cracking and fading. It is a hide, after all.
Leather couches are ideal for spaces that host a lot of guests since the more it wears the better it looks. For rooms where the sun beats in during the afternoon, window coverings can help lessen fading.
Microfiber
A combination of nylon and polyester, microfiber is a material made up of super fine threads.
Pros of Microfiber
- Because it’s made of delicate strands, microfiber is a soft and snuggly upholstery option.
- Despite sounding fragile in its composition, it actually holds up really well to everyday life including spills and colorwear.
Cons of Microfiber
- Though reliable, it’s not a hands-off fabric. It needs to be vacuumed often, since it tends to attract pet hair and dust.
- Microfiber is staticky, so restless sleepers might find it’s not the comfiest place for a quick snooze.
Olefin
Used to create outdoor furniture that still feels lounge worthy - think puffy cushions and supportive throw pillows - olefin is a high-performance fiber. Produced with plastics like polypropylene, it comes in a variety of patterns and weaves. It’s often blended with other, less sturdy fibers to enhance their durability.
Pros of Olefin
- Because of its ability to stave off mildew, olefin is ideal for outdoor spaces as well as indoor ones that are prone to high humidity, like basement rec rooms.
- It’s versatile and can be made to imitate expensive, less lasting fabrics (including velvet!) to bring any moodboard design to life.
Cons of Olefin
- Olefin can become damaged if exposed to hot water so care must be taken when cleaning it.
- It can be stiff and tends to warm with its environment, which can feel a little sticky during the warmest months of the year.
High Performance Fabric Blends
The term “high performance fabric” (also referred to as simply “performance fabric”) is a catchall for textiles created by blending several different synthetic fibers (including olefin) together to create a durable, dependable upholstery that’s game for all that life will inevitably throw at it.
High Performance Fabric Pros
- Produced to wear well and be easy to clean, it’s a great choice for homes that see a lot of pet or kid action.
- Like olefin alone, high performance fabrics are both functional and stylish and come in a spectrum of styles including tweed and fluffy chenille.
High Performance Fabric Cons
- With a steeper price tag, it may be out of budget for some shoppers.
- Treated with a chemical stain and water protectant to help it hold up to spills and water damage, high performance fabrics aren’t the best choice for homes with an organic focus.
High performance fabrics are a top-notch choice for families with children. The material repels burst juice boxes and spilled sippies long enough to grab a towel.
What Exactly is a High Performance Fabric and Why Might I Want It?
High performance fabrics are most often composed of a combination of synthetic fibers like nylon, olefin, acrylic and polyester and are usually treated with a stain protectant to minimize discoloration. These upholsteries take on daily wear and tear much better than those made from less durable materials like cotton or silk, which stain and wrinkle more easily.
Choosing a high performance fabric doesn’t mean giving up style for function. A linen sofa may be exactly the casual-chic vibe needed to elevate a sunroom. But if the sofa is where the cat loves to laze in the afternoon then a high performance polyester weave with a linen-look will provide that specific style while also offering a surface that holds up to fur-removal vacuum sessions and curious claws.
Other Sofa Fabric Options include:
Natural Fibers
Most often derived from plants or animals, natural fibers can be used in furniture upholstery on their own, woven together with other natural fibers or blended with synthetic fibers to create a fabric that’s as durable as it is comfortable.
- Silk
Produced by silkworms, silk is smooth and cool to the touch making for a luxurious textile. It’s not common to see furniture upholstered in pure silk anymore though because it’s super pricey and unforgiving to its environment, staining when it gets wet and snagging if something catches on it. Instead, silk-like textures can be created using a blend of synthetic material that holds up to damage but with all of the luster and grandeur of the real thing. - Wool
Long lasting, wool is usually blended with a synthetic fiber to enhance its best attributes into an easy-to-care-for upholstery option. Although it should be noted that as with clothing made from wool, it can make for an itchy sofa fabric. - Cotton
Soft and breathable, cotton or cotton-based fabrics (like canvas, denim and twill) keep sofas cool year round and make a great couch for sleeping and overnight guests. - Linen
Derived from the surreal blue-flowering flax plant, linen is easy to maintain and looks especially attractive in a farmhouse aesthetic. It may also be blended with other fibers to extend its wear resistance. - Suede
A type of leather, suede is dyed to come in a whole rainbow of colors but is vulnerable to grease stains and fading if it’s not regularly cleaned.
Synthetic Fibers
Instead of being naturally derived, synthetic fibers are produced using various chemical processes to mimic the look and feel of natural fibers with the added benefits of greater longevity and simple maintenance.
- Acrylic
While it mimics the look of wool (but not the itch), acrylic doesn’t always match its hardiness and is best blended with another fiber, like olefin, to help it hold up to pilling. - Velvet
Once upon a time, velvet was made from pure, luscious silk. These days, it’s much more common (and affordable) to see it produced synthetically with other fibers, polyester, and nylon. Either way, it always looks posh. - Nylon
Resistant to tears, nylon is strong in performance but soft to the touch. When used in furniture, it’s blended with other fibers to create attractive, long-lasting fabrics in a range of textures. - Polyester
Because of its ability to repel stains, polyester is one of the most common fibers found in upholstery fabric blends. - Faux leather
Faux leather is a plastic product that’s treated to have the appearance of real leather, though it’s not as durable and the maintenance isn’t the same. - Bonded leather
Constructed of both real leather and synthetic materials, bonded leather is more affordable than its genuine counterpart but doesn’t last as long. - Microsuede
Another faux version of the real thing, microsuede is made of polyester fiber but has the look and feel of suede. Cleaning it is pretty straightforward which makes it a popular choice for homes with kids and pets.
Durability VS. Affordability
There’s no way around it, sofas are one of the most expensive home decorating purchases, which is why it’s tempting to make a beeline to the cheapest one and settle before the sticker shock can set in.
Of course, buyer's remorse is just as frustrating as overspending on a fundamental purchase. In the end, just like with cheap earbuds that fizzle out after a month or bargain cookware that chips with the first grilled cheese, spending too little upfront on a sofa, recliner or sectional can end up costing a lot more overtime if it needs to be constantly repaired or quickly replaced.
That being said, there’s no legit reason to go out of budget by leaps and bounds to score a functional and cute piece. To balance the line between durability and affordability, prioritize performance over style. A sofa in a high performance fabric that happens to be discounted because it’s last year’s style may not win as many likes but will cost less in upkeep than a cheaply made mod version.
For a pet-friendly living room, stick to upholsteries that are forgiving of messy paws, sharp claws and shedding.
Pet-Friendly Sofa Options
Finding a stylish pet-friendly couch really comes down to the fabric. Here’s the top sofa materials for dogs and cats:
1. Microfiber
Why it’s Great for Pets
Microfiber is a top choice since it’s made up of polyester which does an excellent job repelling pet stains of, well, all kinds and holds up to upholstery cleaners which means a spotless, odor-free sofa for all.
2. Cotton weaves (like denim)
Why it’s Great for Pets
These dense fabrics create a sturdy barrier between Fido and the couch cushions, protecting from odor build up. And, since it doesn’t snag easily, it handles claws and paws well too.
3. Leather
Why it’s Great for Pets
When properly cared for, leather is a sofa fabric that lasts. It holds up stupendously to kitten scratches and puppy snuggles and is easy to condition back into its original glory if it does get dug into or smeared with spring mud. Meanwhile, pet hair removal is as easy as dusting the surface off with a microfiber cloth. Plus, as durable as it is, this is the only sofa fabric that actually looks better as it wears.
Even the most reliable fabrics need upkeep.
Tips For Making Your Sofa Last
- Remove pilling with a lint removal tool to keep fabric looking fresh and clean.
- To keep sofas from becoming saggy and misshapen, don’t allow pets and children to sit on the arms or top cushions.
- Be mindful not to use oil-based sprays and cleaning products that can leave greasy stains and attract dirt.
- Condition leather couches regularly to keep them looking bright.
- Use a designated upholstery attachment when vacuuming to prevent scratching and tearing of the fabric.