Durable, stylish and washable. Overview of upholstery fabrics for sofas

The comfort of your favourite sofa will be enhanced by upholstery that is pleasant to the touch and easy to clean. If it is also resistant to abrasion, fading and mossing, it will look good for seasons to come. How do you choose the upholstery fabric that best meets your expectations? We present a comprehensive fabric guide to make your decision easier.

Buying a sofa is a big challenge. Shape, size and the presence of a storage box or sleeping function are important indicators that significantly narrow down the choice, but it doesn't stop there. Before buying a particular piece of furniture, it is worth testing it thoroughly, checking its softness, but also touching the upholstery.

The right upholstery fabric is responsible for the usefulness of the furniture and its aesthetics, as well as increasing the comfort of everyday relaxation. When ordering a sofa in the VOX shop, you can decide on its finish yourself. We offer as many as 32 high quality fabrics in dozens of shades. It is worth viewing them on the pattern book available in the showroom and comparing their properties, and then choosing the one that best suits your needs.

TYPES OF UPHOLSTERY FABRICS. TO CHOOSE FROM, TO COLOUR AND MORE!

Upholstery fabric samples offer a wide range of possibilities. You can choose from classic upholstery fabrics - smooth velours, hard-wearing plaits or thick chenille, but also opt for natural wool or fleshy knitted boucle with visible knots. The various upholstery fabrics differ in terms of how they are manufactured and the type of raw materials used. They also have other additional properties.

If you want a fabric with superior durability and abrasion resistance, choose a strong synthetic weave. Fabrics that have a high natural fibre content are generally more delicate. They are also sometimes more difficult to keep clean. However, there is no shortage of exceptions, such as the densely woven Wool Wool Premium fabric with very good technical performance.

Regardless of the type, upholstery should be protected from direct exposure to moisture and sunlight. When cleaning, remember to check the condition of the sofa. If you notice wrinkles on its surface, displaced filling or shifted seams, smooth and gently tap the seat, backrest and armrests by hand. This will translate into a longer lasting piece of furniture, which will retain its original shape for longer. They will also contribute to the cleanliness of the fabric. Regular "sweeping" of the upholstery will get rid of lingering dust, which, if the upholstery is dirty, will make it easier to remove the stain wet without leaving a trace.

WASHABLE UPHOLSTERY FABRICS - EASY TO CLEAN

The sofa or corner sofa is the real centre of home life. It is where we relax, play with the children, work and eat our meals. Eating our favourite snacks has a positive effect on our well-being, but the upholstery of the sofa will be affected in a completely different way. However, the problem of unwanted stains can be solved with the washable upholstery fabric Kanvas. The natural structure of the dense weave with an addition of flax and cotton and the technology used will make it easy to clean without the need for chemicals and strong detergents.

The material is already coated with special molecules at the production stage, which protect it from dirt penetration. This means that stains can be cleaned quickly, regardless of their stickiness or consistency. Sticky mayonnaise or ketchup stains are easily removed with water. Simply scoop up the sauce with a spoon, sprinkle the residue with water and drain with a paper towel. On the other hand, a white eraser can be used to remove pen or marker marks.

If you are looking for an easy-to-clean upholstery fabric for a sofa, pay attention to the note on easy-clean technology. In addition to the aforementioned Kanvas upholstery, we can choose the Sofia Pik polyester twill fabric or the soft Angola yarn and not worry about stubborn dirt.

WATER REPELLENT UPHOLSTERY FABRICS - INDISPENSABLE FOR PARTIES AND GET-TOGETHERS.

It only takes a moment's inattention for coloured juice or dark tea to end up on the upholstery of a sofa. Every parent and party planner knows this. However, it's a shame to waste time on constant cleaning. Strong detergents used during wet cleaning can also damage upholstery, such as velour. Which upholstery fabric is best in this case? In order not to worry about liquids penetrating quickly, it is advisable to choose a hydrophobic fabric.

A special protective coating has been applied to, among others, the fleshy Spello fabric with a twisted weave and the extremely soft Leo fabric. The technology used means that liquid condenses on the surface of the upholstery and is not absorbed by it. This gives you time to use a soft cloth or paper towel to drain off any spillages.

STYLISH UPHOLSTERY FABRICS THAT ARE PET-FRIENDLY

Dogs like to roll around on the sofa as soon as they come in from a walk, and cats like to use it as a scratching post. When furnishing a home with a four-legged occupant, special attention should be paid to the choice of upholstery. The focus should be on materials that are resistant to friction and tearing, such as velvets and robust fibre blends.

Pet friendly fabrics are subjected to specialised laboratory tests for resistance to pulling under the influence of animal claws. They are characterised by higher durability and easier cleaning. They are also resistant to pilling. Clusters of tangled balls would quickly make the sofa look unattractive.

Pet owners can choose from a variety of stylish upholstery fabrics that make it easy to keep the sofa clean. The Maya fabric, for example, with its soft cashmere-like finish, will perform well in this role. Your pet's hair won't get caught in the fabric, but will stay on its surface, which makes cleaning the furniture much easier. A fleshy velour with a delicate shaded pattern, i.e. Zoya knitted fabric, will also do well.

THE MOST DURABLE UPHOLSTERY FABRICS FOR SOFAS

Even the most exclusive upholstery fabrics will not serve their purpose if they are not resistant to abrasion. That is why, before choosing a particular fabric, it is worth checking whether it passes the Martindale test.

The purpose of this test is to check the durability of the fabric during everyday use. The test is performed using a special machine that rubs the fabric with the appropriate pressure. The higher the value achieved by the fabric, the better the durability. The VOX range includes fabrics that can withstand as many as 100,000 Martindale cycles. Among the most durable upholstery fabrics for sofas are Geco, Solid or Wool Premium, which is also naturally flame-retardant.

Thanks to the fact that there are many types of upholstery fabrics, we do not have to limit ourselves to just one functionality. If there are smokers in the house, we can bet on a flame-retardant fabric. Fabrics with this mark have been tested by the Flame Retardancy Testing Laboratory at the Textile Institute in Łódź. A sample of the fabric in question is assessed in combination with polyurethane foam. If there is no ignition from a smouldering cigarette during the test, the fabric receives a certificate.

When choosing upholstery for a sofa which will be placed near a wall with large glazing, it is also worth paying attention to its resistance to fading. This is because it will be exposed to frequent sunlight. Samples of the fabric are exposed to high-intensity light and then rated on a scale of 1 to 8 - the higher the rating, the greater the resistance to staining.

ANTI-ALLERGIC UPHOLSTERY FABRICS - FOR HEALTH REASONS

A particularly good choice for allergy sufferers would be fabrics with a Virus Protect coating. This provides permanent protection against viruses, bacteria and fungi that cause infections. Thanks to the active particles, it only takes a few minutes for 99.99% of the bacteria on the surface of the sofa to be neutralised. Certifications confirm that this technology is not only effective, but also completely safe for people and the environment. The Virus Protect label is carried by the Strong upholstery fabric, which is also easy to clean and resistant to pulling.

It is worth bearing in mind, however, that the antiviral coating does not provide hygienic protection for the fabric. A sofa with such upholstery should also be vacuumed regularly and any dirt should be removed on an ongoing basis. If you follow the care instructions, you can be sure that the coating will retain its properties for a long time.

RECYCLED UPHOLSTERY FABRICS - STYLISH AND SUSTAINABLE

If the environment is important to you, you can also opt for upholstery fabrics made from recycled materials. These include Grace and Naturama fabrics, which contain 70% and 55% recycled polyester respectively. They are equal to classic upholstery and meet high quality standards in terms of comfort, aesthetics and durability, as well as being pleasant to the touch and completely safe for health.

Recycled PET bottles are used in their manufacture, saving the earth's natural resources. The whole cycle is less harmful to the environment than the traditional fabric production process - less water and oil are used and less plastic is released into the oceans. When the recycled yarn is treated, it can be given various practical functionalities so that stains can be easily removed from the fibres. By deciding on the finish for the living room sofa, we can therefore contribute to reducing waste and enjoy a beautiful, durable fabric at the same time.

CLASSIC AND PATTERNED UPHOLSTERY FABRICS TO HELP BUILD YOUR LIVING ROOM DÉCOR

An upholstered sofa can not only be a functional piece of furniture for lounging, but also an integral part of the interior design. Upholstery fabrics, which contain linen or cotton in their composition, will bring natural harmony to the arrangement. Wool will look particularly elegant, as it has acoustic and thermal properties, helping to quiet the room and maintain a constant temperature and humidity level. It is also pleasant to the skin. It warms in winter and cools in summer and does not stick to the body, eliminating perspiration.

A major advantage of fabrics with a high natural fibre content is also aesthetic ageing. Rather than wrinkling in the most frequently used areas, there may be at most a slight shine. In this respect, a sofa upholstered with a fabric based on wool, linen or cotton resembles a wooden table. Any signs of wear and tear that appear over the years lend it character and sentimental value.

If you want the sofa to be an eye-catching design element, opt for colourful upholstery. The Charles/Ton velour fabric comes in over 50 shades to choose from. What's more, it is fade-resistant, so you can enjoy your favourite colour in your living room for years to come.

Those who prefer to relax surrounded by numerous cushions and blankets will appreciate a classic upholstery fabric with a smooth surface. In monochromatic arrangements, it is worth opting for a fabric with a distinct structure or linen weave. A delicately patterned upholstery fabric will add three-dimensionality to the arrangement and provide a pleasant sensory experience.

When choosing a piece of lounge furniture from the VOX range, you can expect both high durability and stylish aesthetics. The available upholstery fabrics have been carefully selected to serve the whole family, including its four-legged members. A visit to your nearest showroom and a conversation with an experienced advisor will help you choose the best upholstery.