Upholstery is often underrated and the unsung hero in giving new life to your torn-out sofas and couches. Some old furniture carries emotional sentiments that we cannot use them or throw them away. So how can we convert them into a useful home accessory? The only way is upholstery. The fabric used in upholstery is known as the upholstery fabric.
Today a wide variety of upholstery fabrics are available in the market. If you are a beginner in furniture & Upholstery fabrics, this blog is for you. This blog will give you a clear insight into home furnishing upholstery fabric with keen attention to the details. But what is upholstery? We will figure it out.
Upholstery Definition
Upholstery is nothing but the soft padded textile covering on the furniture to give an extra layer of comfort. It is the way to refurnish your worn-out sofas and also the method of preserving the sentimental value of your furniture. You can do upholstery to the sofas, dining chairs, ottomans, and many more. Choosing the right fabric used in upholstery is important to maintain the overall aesthetics of the interiors.
Explore the extensive collection of different types of home furnishing upholstery fabric and pick the best one that matches your home interiors.
Types of home furnishing upholstery fabric
You can find a vivid collection of upholstery fabric that is both natural and synthetic. Choosing the right furniture and upholstery fabrics can be a daunting task. Here are a myriad types of upholstery fabrics you can choose from for your furniture.
Natural home furnishing upholstery fabrics

Natural fabrics are made from natural materials. They are both luxurious and have an aesthetic appeal.
Cotton
When thinking of the natural fabrics the first thing that comes to mind is the cotton. It is one of the most popular fabrics owing to its comfort and durability. More than that the cotton upholstery fabrics are budget-friendly and easily available. Unlike any other fabric material, cotton fabrics do not fade when exposed to sunlight. You can even wash them. One of the major disadvantages of cotton fabrics is that it is prone to get stains and trap dust easily. So using them on a daily use furniture may not be a wise choice.
Leather
Are you planning to give your worn-out sofa a luxurious makeover? Leather is a wonderful option you can pick. Leather is known for its durability, comfort, royalty, and sophistication. A simple leather chair in your living room can simply amp up the entire look. It has a longer lifespan and is easy to clean and maintain. One of the major disadvantages is that leather is quite expensive when compared to other fabrics.
Wool
Want to add warmth and luxury to your living room? It is time to revamp your sofa with the wool. The woolen upholstery fabric gives your room warmth. It is durable and sturdy. It is best during winter. This fabric is quite expensive.
Silk
No other fabrics can match the royalty of silk. The furniture is padded with silk giving an aesthetic touch to the room to which it belongs. It is the most expensive fabric used in upholstery. It gives your room a luxurious outlook. But this material requires constant maintenance and proper care as they are delicate to handle.
Velvet
Which is the most commonly seen home furnishing upholstery fabric? It is the velvet. It is most widely used for making cushion covers and other soft plushies to add an extra layer of comfort. However, this fabric is prone to wear and tear easily.
Linen
Just like cotton, linen is also one of the most popular fabrics used in upholstery. The material doesn’t fade when exposed to sunlight. Another interesting factor is that the linen fabric is resistant to mites. It is affordable and hence can be bought by anyone.
Jute
You must have been familiar with jute mats and ropes. But do you know that it is an excellent upholstery fabric? It has a rough texture and is mostly used for making ottomans. The material is strong and long-lasting. But when exposed to moisture the fiber tends to lose its strength.
Synthetic fabrics used in upholstery
Synthetic upholstery fabrics are produced as they are more durable and easy to maintain than natural fabrics. More than that they are quite cheap and the manufacturing cost is less when compared to the natural upholstery fabrics. Some of the most popular synthetic fibers are polyester, rayon, blended canvas, olefin, and nylon.
Polyester
You all must be familiar with this fabric. In the upholstery industry, this fabric is mostly bled with natural fiber like cotton to produce a more durable fabric. It is durable and versatile making it a sought-after product in the field of upholstery.
India Circus has an extensive collection of premium-quality blended canvas upholstery fabric. It is made from 80% polyester and 20% cotton. Each product has been meticulously crafted with unique designs and keen attention to detail. Take a look at our interesting collection of finely crafted home furnishing upholstery fabrics.
Upholstery Fabric | Price Range |
Stone Birds of Paradise Fabric | 1439 |
Mirroring Deer Garden Fabric | 1439 |
Robin Bird Park Fabric | 1439 |
Floral Galore Fabric | 1439 |
Grey Bird Land Fabric | 1439 |
Flight of Cranes Fabric | 1439 |
Red Paradise Fabric | 1439 |
Tropical Kingdom Fabric | 1439 |
Chevron Palms Fabric | 1439 |
Rayon
Rayon is a popular fabric that is used both in the textile industry and also for upholstery. The fabric is cheap and can be brought by anyone. This synthetic fabric is prone to wrinkles and needs proper maintenance.
Olefin
If you are looking for a tough and easy-to-clean upholstery fabric, olefin is a great choice. This fabric is water resistant and hence no worries of the water stains. It is an ideal choice for your outdoor furniture as it is resistant to sunlight. However, when exposed to sunlight for a long period, it may get damaged.
Acrylic
Acrylic is simply an imitation of wool. It provides the same warmth and comfort the woolen upholstery fabrics provide. Unlike wool, acrylic is easy to clean and maintain as it dries quickly. It is an excellent choice for outdoor furniture as it is UV-resistant.
Final Thoughts
Choosing an upholstery fabric that matches the overall theme of your interior is an art. Only the right upholstery fabric can give you the desired look. This blog has walked you through the vivid collection of different upholstery fabrics. The fabric colors and materials you choose determine the overall aesthetics of your interiors. Right from natural fabrics like cotton, and linen to synthetic fabrics like polyester, acrylic each has its pros and cons.
India Circus has an alluring collection of different fabrics each with peculiar designs and patterns. Shop now at India Circus for a vibrant collection of fabrics and many other home decor accessories at an affordable price.
FAQs on upholstery fabric
1. What kind of fabric is used for upholstery?
The most commonly used upholstery fabrics are cotton, linen, blended canvas, leather, and wool.
2. What is the most durable upholstery fabric?
The most durable upholstery fabric is leather. It is easy to maintain and long-lasting. The leather has a luxurious outlook.
3. Are synthetic fabrics ideal for upholstery?
Yes, synthetic fabrics are durable and cost-effective when compared to natural fibers. They also help to extend the life of the furniture.