Using a higher rub count fabric will assure you that your furniture will last for years to come. Upholstered furniture used in the living room and family room requires a durable fabric. With this, these pieces must be upholstered in a long-lasting and tightly woven material. There are lots of upholstery fabric to choose from. This list will guide you in selecting the most durable materials for upholstered furniture.
Cotton Cotton is an excellent choice for upholstery fabric. It can withstand wear, tear, and fade. Aside from this, cotton is also one of the most affordable upholstery fabrics out there. Cotton can be prone to getting stains, but using a stain-resistant finish will make your furniture last longer. Heavier cotton weave like in sailcloth and denim tends to be more durable. Choose pure cotton for better quality. Leather Although leather can be costly, it gives a smooth and classy covering for couches.
Leather is a very durable fabric, especially if taken care of properly. The one we bought completely entranced one cat, and another uses the scratchers instead of the furniture and the third ignores the scratchers completely and shreds an old sofa I picked up at Salvation Army. I hate microsuede, but it has defeated even Bandit, the compulsive furniture destroyer of worlds.
Third, try Soft Paws. They were invented by an American veterinarian more than 20 years ago. They work really well. Thanks for the tip about essential oils. I had no idea! Upon testing the last few months at the Crypton factory- they said it performed as expected. I had two armchairs recovered in same initial color- not Crypton and they have held up exceptionally well. I had my kitchen and dining room chairs recovered in Crypton 2 years ago and they still look great, but this sofa is a VERY disappointing mess.
What a great post. Thank you Laurel. I have two long hair cats, and several pieces of furniture that need upholstering, so any fabric that I choose needs to be bullet proof! Well, as close to bullet proof as possible. I have five kids, including a barfing baby. I spot clean it with a tiny bit of soap and water, and it looks new. Which it still is, but those white spit-up stains disappear. Hi Lauren, Thank you so much for this post today! But, reading your posts and perusing Your blog and reading the books you wrote, really help me transport to a better happier place.
I may not be able to afford to buy anything right now, or even paint, but I can still dream!!! It helps!! Thank you!! Thanks for this post. I knew about sunbrella and perennials fabrics but did not know much about crypton….. I have been sheltering in place for three weeks now and finally got around to reading and enjoying the Hard to Find Decorating Rules I purchased after the holidays!
Great stuff! Stay safe! PS: Sunbrella fabrics have too much texture and would attract my cats, as would the vast majority of linen and cotton fabrics. Smooth, tight, almost chintz-like fabrics are the only way to go. Never declaw a cat. Five cats here, all with claws. We used to use the claw caps and they are great, if you hang out with the cat for 10 minutes after application so the glue really sets.
But it just got to be too much, now we just trim their claws when we brush their teeth! We live in a small apartment so our furniture gets lots of use and all seven of us sit everywhere.
DO NOT use essential oils, like lavender. My only solutlon, so far, for the rugs was duct-taping the edges. I was able to find maroon duct tape. Ideas, anyone? Synthetic or cotton-blend velvets are tough and indeed work very well. Sturdy, smooth cotton works well. Our Ralph Lauren Lakota Paisley cotton drapery fabric, but strong slipcovered sofa is 20 years old and doing well. Fur removal is easier with one of those velcro-type brushes or wet your hand.
Brush the velvet with the nap to protect it. Patterns show less fur and stains than solids. A thin layer of cat fur on a rug will protect it when the cat then throws up there.
I recently recovered our dining chairs in light tan suede cloth. This is different from ultrasuede. It passed my peanut butter test and buttery-tomato sauce test. They look fantastic and no one wants to scratch them so far. I covered another chair seat in teal Krypton velvet, same deal, also passed my tests. Avoid cording and piping and your furniture will last longer.
Leather is generally a stupid idea, but husbands love it. Pottery Barn offers many leather choices. I picked one by scratching all the samples in their books with a sharp fingernail. It even helped the baboon chair. My five cents! Laurel, Thanks to your article last year regarding Crypton, I am having 2 swivel chairs reupholstered in the miracle fabric. Sorry for the downer. I can vouch for the Folex spot remover as I have been using it for years. It was recommended by a restoration company service person.
You can find it in grocery stores or some big box home improvement stores. What a great resource for fabric durability! I love seeing your blog pop up in my inbox. Thanks for being you! I was able to keep my cat off the couch using a scat mat.
It gives them a little shock. While not pleasant I sat on it myself when I forgot it was there it will not hurt them. I got one after my cat came in from outside with something on his feet, jumped on the couch and left a black mark that would not come off. The cushion had to be flipped. Laurel, Glad to hear you are well. Anyway, thanks for this timely article — we are preparing to buy new or reupholster a sofa and I have been stressing over fabric. I prefer natural fibers and was leaning towards cotton velvet but perhaps a blend, or synthetics like Crypton, would be a safer choice.
Stay well and safe, and thanks so much for the blog. I finally got a real adult sofa in my 60s! It is white Perennials and is bleachable. It is looking perfect except for the cat shredding. She rarely gets onto the sofa, but loves to destroy it. I have to say that it is resisting her given the givens. I am heartbroken as it was a major splurge with down and the whole nine yards.
And barricading is definitely not a decorating style! At least the sofa is worthy of reupholstering. I refuse to believe she will do this her entire life! I am housebound due to chronic illness, but even I want to get out once a week!! It is not going to be possible for the next couple of months. I am hoping that this global crisis will give humans pause and teach us different ways of living.
It is time for simultaneous global meditation. Hi Laurel, You mentioned that you get tired occasionally. Are you allowed to take a walk outside?
I always feel better after a walk around the block. Thank you for all the information in this post. So I emailed this to her. I just received my new Brooke three seat Ivory Crypton sofa…Yes, I was so excited I allowed the delivery guys in my house…I stayed in the other room! You are spot on about this sofa. I was thinking to take one of the extra pillow covers and experiment with it…I was wondering about denim dye as one lady said it Does transfer.
Nothing is perfect but it looks great! Thank you for the shopping guide. Great, great article I will save. One thing to note about ultrasuede: I have Kravitz ultrasuede on a down parsons sofa and ultrasuede never loses its stiffness. Some people might think this is a good thing because the down never collapses, but it is not as comfortable as a cloth covered down sofa.
Would love suggestions for products to repair an untreated black leather sofa that has become cat scratched. Stay well. Really good information, Laurel, thanks for this post! One thing to keep in mind about white crypton fabric is that it can become stained from coming in contact with the blue dye in denim jeans.
Pleased to have this list of recommended fabrics and gratified to find that my rolls of fabric in waiting are the right type! I would add one caveat: the fake suede Alcantara which is diabolically expensive ends up by rubbing badly so that the arms and seat of a chair end up very worn after 20 years.
But it did need to be pre-shrunk first. Cat fake nails. Too hilarious. My old Snow would NOT have complied with the application process. No way, no how, no sir! He was pure white, so I think he could have rocked the gold glitter colour way like a star.
Great post. Now I know what to look for. Yeah thank you! Laurel Bern Interiors, Inc. Mar 29 Posted in: Fabrics , interior design 34 comments. Now what? Please note however, that the blog is meant as general advice. Thank you for your understanding. Facebook Pinterest Twitter LinkedIn. Vanessa - April 6, - PM.
Anyway, I digress. Elle - April 1, - AM. Kellie Zollars - March 31, - PM. Claudia - March 31, - PM. MiltonMom, Four years ago I ordered a custom made Theodore Alexander sofa with a light ivory, linen look Crypton fabric. Laurel Bern - March 31, - PM. Lea - March 30, - PM. Louisa - March 30, - PM. Janet R - March 30, - PM. Breathable Faux Leather Espresso Fabric Marine Vinyl — Made to resist weather and harsh elements, marine vinyl is a leather look vinyl that is extremely durable and easy to clean.
Richloom Fortress Marine Vinyl Outing Royal Fabric Jacquard — Typically a heavier fabric, it has yarn dyed fibers that create a pattern, giving the fabric texture and style.
Good fabric choice for home usage, primarily moderate use and decorative pieces. When made of cotton, this fabric shape can warp over time with heavy-use, so it should be used on moderate-use furniture, decorative pieces or pillow accents.
These fibers can be made up into a variety of fabric types, which also have an effect on their performance: Cotton — breathable, comfortable, and budget-friendly. Not fade resistant. Linen — Very strong and breathable and classic. Less resistant to stains and fading, should not be used for heavy-use, but excellent for heirloom pieces. Wool — Luxurious, great texture and feel, keeps its shape, less resistant to stains — look for stain resistance treatmemt or a blend. Silk — Luxurious and strong, but should not be used for everyday.
Nylon — Durable, high abrasion resistance, easy to clean. Acrylic — Very durable, color fast, easy to clean, great for heavy-use upholstery. Olefin — Very durable, color fast, easy to clean, great for heavy-use upholstery. Color Your color choice is also dependent upon the type of use your furniture will see.
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