Upholstery fabrics
Guide
Beautiful and functional
VOX fabrics
The choice of fabric for a piece of lounge furniture matters - it affects not only its appearance, but also its everyday comfort. That's why we have selected a palette of fabrics that combine aesthetics with durability. In this guide, you will learn about the characteristics of each fabric and which one to choose to suit your needs.
Selected with care
Tailored to you
To make it easier for you to choose the perfect fabric, we have divided our palette into four groups. You will find textured, smooth, natural and melange fabrics. Some of these will make a piece of furniture stand out and become the centrepiece of your décor - others will allow you to create a cohesive, neutral interior. Choose the colour you are interested in, find the texture you like and decide on the functionality.
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Above all, the choice of upholstery fabric should be informed and adapted to the real conditions of use. Key parameters to look out for are:
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Abrasion resistance (Martindale test) - the higher the value, the more durable the fabric, especially with intensive use,
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Resistance to fuzzing - prevents the formation of unsightly balls,
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Ease of cleaning - especially important with children, pets and light colours,
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Light and UV resistance - important if the sofa stands close to a window where it may be subject to discolouration,
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Colour and aesthetic match - but always in conjunction with functionality.
Remember that the fabric should match the lifestyle of the household.
The Martindale test determines the abrasion resistance of a fabric. The value is given in cycles - the higher the value, the greater the resistance of the fabric. For domestic furniture, we recommend a minimum of 30,000 cycles and for intensive use above 35,000 cycles. For furniture such as upholstered beds, which are generally not as heavily used as, for example, a sofa in the living room, you may want to consider choosing a fabric with a slightly lower resistance - it will often be more pleasant to the touch and softer, further enhancing your sleeping comfort.
No - stain resistance depends on the type of fabric and the finish used. Standard fabrics absorb liquids and stains, so if this aspect is important to you, it's worth choosing fabrics with easy clean, hydrophobic (water resistant) or pet friendly coatings.
But technology alone is not enough - the key is to match the fabric to your lifestyle and daily habits. When choosing a fabric for a sofa, it is worth asking yourself some important questions:
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Are there children in the house who might accidentally spill something, get dirty or trample the furniture?
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Do we have pets living with us who leave hair, saliva, mud after a walk or treat the sofa as a bed?
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Do we have a habit of sitting on the sofa with bare feet, just after returning from court, in work clothes or with food?
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Does the piece of furniture stand in an area with a high risk of contact with dust, dirt or smoke?
In these situations, it is advisable to choose fabrics that not only look nice, but also actively protect against dirt and are easy to clean - preferably with a damp cloth, without the need for strong chemicals.
A fabric chosen for your specific home environment is an investment in peace of mind and comfort for years to come.
Not if you choose a fabric with easy clean coating or water repellent technology - then a light sofa can be just as practical as a dark one.
If there are dogs or cats living in the house, the fabric for the sofa or corner sofa should be chosen with their presence and daily behaviour in mind. Fabrics with a smooth surface are best - that is, without any pronounced structure or weaves that could catch claws or trap hair.
Particularly recommended are fabrics with so-called pile - that is, sheared fabrics such as velour, microfibre or plush. Thanks to their compact and uniform surface:
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are difficult to pull on (no knots or loose threads),
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do not attract hair as easily,
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are easy to vacuum and clean.
It's also worth looking for fabrics that are labelled pet friendly - they have been designed with pet owners in mind and often have extra safety features, such as increased scratch resistance or easy stain removal.
Remember: even the nicest fabric can quickly deteriorate if it is not adapted to the daily realities of home life with pets.
Pilling is the formation of small balls (so-called lint) on the surface of the fabric, which is caused by friction - both during the daily use of the furniture and during improper cleaning (e.g. too intensive rubbing of the fabric). These flocs are formed from loose fibres and can detract from the appearance of the upholstery, giving it a worn appearance.
The pilling resistance of the fabric is determined on a scale of 1 to 5, where:
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5 means very high resistance to pilling,
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1 - no resistance (the fabric peels very easily).
For everyday furniture, such as sofas or armchairs in the living room, it is advisable to choose fabrics with a minimum rating of 4, which ensure durability and an aesthetic appearance for a long time.
Even high-performance fabrics require proper care. Here are the basic rules:
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Vacuuming and whisking the furniture - at least once a week. This prevents the accumulation of dust particles, sand, hair or crumbs, which mechanically abrade the fabric surface and can lead to fabric softening or permanent staining.
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Avoid heavy rubbing when cleaning stains - scrubbing the fabric, especially when wet, can weaken its structure and promote pilling. It is best to remove stains gently, in spots, according to the fabric manufacturer's recommendations.
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Remove stainsimmediately - the longer the stain remains on the fabric, the greater the risk of permanent discolouration. Moisture combined with lingering dirt can lead to streaks or spots.
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Airing and avoiding excessive moisture - a damp environment encourages bacterial growth and weakens the fibres, which can affect both the hygiene and durability of the fabric.
Choose the perfect piece of furniture
Sofas and armchairs form the heart of the living room - a place for relaxation, meetings and daily rituals. Upholstered beds, on the other hand, determine the atmosphere of the bedroom. At VOX, you can create a furniture model to suit your needs: choose the size, function and finish, and then decide which fabric best suits your lifestyle.
