How to choose chair upholstery: an expert guide

05 Jun.,2025

 

How to choose chair upholstery: an expert guide

Don’t be hesitant to choose a chair upholstery fabric that is a departure from the rest of the room; in fact, many of the most successful schemes use a mix of upholstery fabrics in a variety of textures and patterns.

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Choosing upholstery fabric can make a tremendous difference to the overall look and feel of a chair, whether you’re reupholstering an old favorite or buying a brand new one. 

Do you want an accent chair that makes a bold statement or one that harmoniously coexists with its surroundings? Is the chair going to get a lot of use? Will the family pet start using it as their new favorite spot to nap? Find some of the current trends we’re loving and our recommendations for the best chair upholstery fabrics, below. 

How to pick chair upholstery fabric

The aesthetic value of the fabric you choose for a chair's upholstery is just one of several considerations. 

‘Think about how the fabric will look with the piece you have in mind; some fabrics, like velvets and bouclés, go especially well with rounded furniture,’ says Ella Richards, Linwood's Head of Design. ‘While printed designs, like a patterned pure linen, can give a simple chair a striking new identity. 

'Make sure the fabric can withstand the expected amount of wear and tear; a high rub test and the ability to resist stains are essential if the item is likely to see heavy use. 

'Many of our recent collections have featured lovely, tumbled linen which is ideal for a laid-back vibe. If you choose to use slipcovers, it is important to consider how much the cloth will shrink before making the covers.

'An armchair or occasional chair upholstered in velvet with a vintage print would be our idea of bliss. Velvets are exceptionally forgiving because of their durability and stain resistance and there is an array of patterned velvets which are even more lenient. 

'Wool is another excellent chair upholstery fabric since it is fire-resistant, water-resistant, durable, breathable, and temperature regulating (it keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter). 

'We’re big fans of the aesthetic achieved by pairing two contrasting fabrics on one piece of upholstered furniture; this is especially useful when showcasing a more delicate fabric by placing it on the piece’s back and pairing it with a more durable fabric for the seat and front.'

Which color upholstery fabric to pick?

'Since blue is often recognised as a calming color, it is an excellent option for upholstery materials in a restful design scheme,' continues Ella. 

'Darker blues, such as indigo, look gorgeous when combined with earthy neutrals to create a color scheme that oozes tranquilly. 

'Lighter blues, such as eau de nil and aqua, are incredibly soothing. Soft ochre throw pillows and walls complement the calming atmosphere created by the linen’s subtle striped pattern.

'Adding an armchair upholstered in a soft pink fabric is a great way to make a space feel more inviting. Here, armchairs in a soft dusty pink are paired with pillows in brilliant tangerine orange velvet to show that bolder colors don’t have to be paired with neutrals to look great together. Take comfort in the chairs’ design, which can be used in either a modern or classic setting.

'Sofas and chairs upholstered in neutral tones will always appear chic and understated. A linen or cotton sofa, wool fabric ottoman, and soft bouclé armchair are all great examples of how to use multiple upholstery materials in neutral tones to create a subtle layered appearance in a room.

'Another classic option for upholstery fabric, sage green is great for bringing nature within. Sage green is such a soothing color that you can use it as a neutral by pairing it with other neutrals like oatmeal, stone and chalk while still bringing in some green with throw pillows and houseplants.' 

Which fabric pattern to choose?

'Armchairs are fantastic for adding pattern without going crazy, especially if you opt for a smaller chair, as they use much less fabric than curtains or a sofa,' says Ella. 

'This lovely armchair (above) perfectly depicts the style of an English country home with its soft, romantic colors, and picks up on the skirted chair trend. The slipcovers are a classic pure linen floral design with a pink border and ruffled hem for a feminine touch. Complementary ruffled pillows are also included. The walls are a lovely duck egg blue, and the drapes are made from the same flowery linen.'

DIY upholstering or hire an expert?

'DIY projects, particularly chair upholstery, rarely turn out as planned because of the inexperience of those who have not been trained in the art. It would be a shame to waste a high-quality cloth or the furniture itself, both of which can be considered an investment,' advises Ella. 

'Slipcovers are a more feasible undertaking if your sewing skills are up to par, especially if you have access to a machine that can overlock the edges for a polished finish.

'A better option still is commissioning upholstery for a professional finish.'

How to care for chair upholstery

Your chair, like all upholstered furniture, requires routine maintenance to appear its best over time, and this should be a consideration when choosing chair upholstery. 

Slipcovers can be washed on a frequent basis; just make sure you follow the care directions and laundry symbols, and don't put too much into the washer drum at a time. 

'To reduce the amount of shrinkage, try to reshape the covers and iron the fabric from the back,' says Ella. 

'A professional cleaning for a chair with fixed coverings can be avoided with regular maintenance, including vacuuming with an upholstery attachment, and plumping up any loose cushions to redistribute the filling and eliminate dust. 

'Attempting a spot clean to remove stains is not recommended since it can leave a mark or ruin the pile of the fabric. To clean upholstery, carefully blot up a spill as soon as possible, but if a stain persists, professional assistance will be required.

'Keep in mind that some fabrics, like wool, are naturally water repellent, while others, like polyester velvets, include sophisticated stain resistant treatments, making them ideal for households prone to spills. 

'When having your chair professionally cleaned, you should also clean any matching accessories, such as drapes or throw pillows, to ensure that no color-transfer occurs.'

FAQs

What to look for in chair upholstery?

Other than the considerations of wear, cleaning, color and pattern, it's also important to ensure you find the fabric comfortable against your skin, and to ensure it's lint-free for those allergic to dust. Think, too, about your local climate: do you live in a zone that's really sunny or humid? In these cases, you need to consider chair upholstery that's fade-resistant and mold-resistant, too.

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Which is better, buying a new chair or reupholstering? 

'This very much depends on the chair,' says Homes & Gardens' Deputy Editor Jo Bailey. 'If it is a treasured piece or one with an unusual silhouette, it will be better to reupholster it; if it isn't a special piece or one that's particularly well made, investing in a new, quality chair that you can reupholster in future will be better. Cost-wise, it's often more expensive to reupholster an expensive chair than to buy a new cheaper one. However, it's more eco-friendly to reupholster an antique piece, and the result will be more charming.'

Seating Upholstery Guide | Before You Buy - World Interiors

When shopping for furniture, not only do looks and comfort matter, but also it's important to know what materials are used to create the piece. This guide details all the materials we use for upholstery, the pro's and con's of each, and why we use those materials to create high-quality, durable furniture.

Leather Upholstery

Leather, a hardy and flexible material made from animal hides, is an amazing choice for upholstery. It's incredibly durable and can last decades with proper care. At World Interiors, we use 4 main types of leather for our furniture: Top-Grain Leather, Suede Leather, Bi-Cast Leather, and Vegan Leather.

History

Leather has been used for upholstery throughout history. Due to the labor-intensive process required to make leather for upholstery, leather, for the most part was reserved primarily for the wealthy. Dating all the way back to even before the Roman Empire, leather could be found in the homes of the wealthiest and most powerful. Before that, Arabian kings were using leather to decorate their throne rooms.

When the Industrial Revolution came, the leather upholstery process became more streamlined. This made leather upholstery much more affordable; however, the process still requires much work to be completed by hand and still widely considered a luxury product. 

Top-Grain Leather

Top-Grain leather, perhaps the most sought-after type of leather, is produced from the top half of the animal hide, with the outermost layer sanded off so that imperfections and irregularities are removed. 

Top-grain not quite as tough as full-grain leather, which makes it ideal for use in conditions where exposure to the elements and rough use is avoided by enlarge. Top-grain leather is, however, much less expensive than full-grain leather, costing about 1/5 of the price. That's why top-grain leather is a favorite material to use for purses, wallets, briefcases, satchels, and of course, upholstery.

Workability

Because top-grain leather lacks the outermost layer of hide, it is easier for manufacturers to work with and tool and used in a variety of products where both flexibility and a consistency in appearance is desired. While pieces may lack the hide pattern from the original animal, the leather can be made to resemble any hide pattern.

Maintenance

Scratches & Stains

  • Never use harsh soap, cleaning solvents, detergents, or ammonia to clean a leather stain. Do not soak the stain in water. Doing so may actually be more damaging to the leather than the stain itself.
  • For grease stains, blot the excess with a dry cloth. After a short period of time, the spot should disappear into the leather.
  • Leather can absorb dyes easily, so avoid placing any printed materials on it. The stains left by ink are extremely difficult or impossible to remove.
  • Leather can also scratch easily, so avoid placing sharp objects on your upholstery. If you happen to scratch your furniture,
  • Gently buff the surface with a chamois or clean fingers for minor scratches on the surface
  • If the scratch remains, rub a very small amount of distilled water into the scratch and blot with a dry cloth

Top-Grain Leather Versus Split and Bonded Leather

Top-grain leather is the second most durable type of leather, favorable to other types such as split or bonded leather. The following section goes into further detail about split and bonded leather.

Cow vs Goat Leather

Cow is of course the most popular animal hide from which leather is fashioned. But leather can be produced from a wide variety of hides like goatskin, which is used for a few of our pieces. Goat leather is thinner than its cow counterpart but is softer and a more cost-effective option for real leather upholstery.

The Hudson Stitched Lounge Chair, is a great example of goat leather upholstery and its ability to be stretched and manipulated more easily to form timeless designs such as the Hudson. In addition to its beauty, the goatskin is renowned for its softness as a leather. When combined with a sturdy iron frame, this piece achieves our high standard for durability.

Quality

Typically, suede's quality is determined by the age and animal from which the hide came from. A mature cow would produce much lower quality, rougher suede in comparison to a sheep or a young calf.

Suede's production process imbues it with the following properties:

  • Sheerness
  • Durability
  • Softness and silkiness
  • Elasticity
  • Resistance to deformation
  • The same texture on the back and front surfaces
  • A breathable, porous structure for free air passing and water absorbing properties

Natural suede has a long list of pros and cons. Some of the pros include its rich appearance, wear resistance, good heat conduction, and, of course, its softness. Suede resembles genuine leather, so it looks expensive and stylish. It also can last a long time - 7 to 10 years with proper care. Even when scuffs and other small defects appear, they remain invisible and do not damage the suede. It also keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter, making it versatile in many different climates.

Some of the suede's cons include: moisture intolerance, easy tearing, dirt accumulation, a delicate care routine, and price. Unlike artificial suede, natural suede quickly absorbs liquid and dries for a long time. At the same time, its fibers absorb dirt and odors easily. Even a small amount of rain can ruin suede. Suede also tears easily, so keep the pets away! Suede also does not tolerate machine or hand-washing due to its high water absorption. In order to maintain suede's stylish appearance, special care must be taken.

Cleaning

  • Use a suede brush or even a dry, clean toothbrush to help keep the nap fresh
  • For wet stains, try using talcum powder. A little bit of white vinegar can go a long way for dried stains
  • For small spots, brush the fibers in one direction until the spot is removed
  • Once you’ve removed the stain, you can restore the nap by using a rubber crepe brush in one direction
  • The rubber lifts the fibers of the suede and restores it to original look

Maintenance

In order to better protect suede from dirt and spills, we recommend that you use a suede sealant. This will provide an additional layer of protection against dirt, oil, and water spills.

Bi-Cast Leather

After leather is split, the top layer is taken for top grain leather. The bottom layer is then coated with polyurethane and imprinted with leather pattern to mimic real leather. This end product is considered bi-cast leather. It is less biodegradable and less durable than top-grain leather but is less expensive.

Maintenance

One of the upsides to bi-cast leather is that it's fairly easy to maintain. Due to the polyurethane coat, the leather is less breathable and lacks water absorption.

  • Soak a cloth or sponge in warm water to wipe down the surface. This will be sufficient for daily cleaning and lightly soiled areas.
  • Use a bar of soap, dish detergent, or liquid soap for harsher stains. Use unscented soap to ensure no chemicals or possible residue will affect the leather.
  • Wipe away soap with a wet cloth and let the piece air-dry. You can speed up the drying process by wiping with a dry cloth.


Vegan Leather

Vegan leather, a variety of faux leather, is made primarily from organic plant matter such as pineapple leaves (Piñatex), cork, and apple skin, as well as plastics such as polyurethane. While more eco-friendly and animal-friendly than bi-cast leather, vegan leather still makes use of fossil-fuel-derived polyurethane, making it the least sustainable leather material.

One of our flagship vegan leather pieces is the Avery Modern Dining Chair. This piece features a square, stitched back made of high quality vegan leather and solid wood construction, combining to form a durable piece that can work in a variety of settings from vintage and transitional to minimalist and modern.

Maintenance

Much like bi-cast leather, vegan leather is fairly easy to maintain due to its plastic coating.

  • Because of its lack of pores, stains remain on the top and can be cleaned easily
  • Use a mild detergent and a soft cloth to wipe down as needed
  • We recommend applying a conditioner afterward, as vegan leather tends to dry out more quickly

Cloth Upholstery

Another great option for upholstery materials is cloth. Cloth is durable, flexible, and eco-friendly. In addition, cloth upholstery boasts a rich history, beginning as early as the 17th century.

Linen

Linen is a durable natural textile, made from the fibers of the flax plant. Linen textiles are one of the oldest textiles in the world - dyed flax fibers have been found in prehistoric caves, dating 36,000 years ago. 

Maintenance

Linen is actually one of the easiest fabrics to maintain. For extra protection against stains, we recommend scotch-guarding your furniture. Any store-bought scotch guard should be sufficient to protect your upholstery.

  • If you’re in any doubt about how to care for the fabric, hire a professional linen upholstery cleaner.
  • For small stains, wash the affected area with lukewarm water. Just dab gently with a wet cloth. Avoid rubbing the affected area as that could just push the stain deeper into the fabric.
  • For tea or coffee stains, gently blotch them with glycerin. Allow the glycerin to soak on the fabric for a few minutes, then wash off with lukewarm water.
  • For grease marks, you can remove them with the aid of some talc powder or corn starch. Dab the stains with a clean, dry cloth, then spread the powder on the area. Let the powder sit for a few hours to absorb the stain, and vacuum when finished.
  • Allow the cleaned areas and cushions to dry completely before reassembling and then vacuum the cleaned area

Brushed Cotton

Brushed cotton is a material made from the cellulose fibers of the cotton plant. After the cotton fibers are spun into cloth, the material is then brushed using a metal brush to create a soft, napped texture. The result is a soft, hypoallergenic material that offers heat conductivity and breathability.

Brushed cotton's use in upholstery is exemplified by the Rebel Armchair. Performance-grade brushed cotton meets solid wood frame with iron legs for added support and is cushioned with foam padding for unrivaled comfort. The brushed cotton is breathable which helps keep the seat warm in the winter and cool in the summer. This all culminates into a striking piece that combines several styles, while remaining extremely comfortable and durable.

Velvet

Velvet is a durable, multi-layered fabric with dense piles that are soft to the touch. Velvet boasts a rich history of luxury. Originating as early as the 14th century in East Asia, velvet was originally spun purely from the silk produced by silkworms. Although Asian silk is soft, the unique production process of velvet creates a material that's even more lavish than other silk goods. Velvet was commonly used in the Middle East, eventually gaining popularity in Europe during the Renaissance.

Maintenance

Velvet, like many other materials, is prone to fading when subjected to prolonged sunlight exposure. That's why we recommend placing velvet upholstery in areas that aren't in direct sunlight. If that's not possible, you could drape a throw pillow over the affected area to protect it.

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Tying it all Together: The Importance of Frames