When choosing upholstered furniture, buyers often pay attention to its design and functionality. Few people know that the fabric cover plays an important role in the selection of quality sofas. The upholstery depends on the purpose of such furniture, since each zone or room has its own fabric.
The difference is not only the color of the upholstery, but also its texture. After examining the entire range in detail, you can highlight for yourself what the best upholstery for a sofa looks like in 2020, which brand is better to choose and how to make the right choice.
Brand selection
For the production of furniture of Russian origin, the best fabric for the upholstery of the sofa is used. Among the expensive brands are countries such as Italy, Belgium, USA, Japan and Canada. The segment with a budget price category includes China and Turkey. Among the countries represented, there are many brands that are in the top of the best. Which ones:
BirtanTekstil
The upholstery of this brand is made in Turkey. Every day, the factory produces a huge amount of fabric of the highest quality. Manufacturers are trying to maintain and add new models to their assortment. Not only premium fabrics, but also economy class are distinguished by high quality.
MICROFIBRES
One of the best brands in the world for the production of furniture fabrics. The material has been released since 1926. One of the best options was the in-house development of the flock modification, which uses materials of our own production. They concentrated unique technologies in which the material received increased wear resistance and excellent quality.
BIBTEX
The well-known world-class brand has been produced in Syria since 1991. For the production of upholstery fabrics, high-quality raw materials, unique technologies and our own production of threads are used. Collaborate with Italian designers and work with 12 countries around the world.
DePoortere
The upholstery fabric factory annually produces up to 1.5 million meters of fabric. The Belgian company has been operating since 1921. The factory produces exclusively monochromatic materials that undergo a special shrinkage before being sold. This measure protects the fabric from stretching and shrinkage.
Showtex
The German company produces fire retardant fabrics and is a leader in this area of activity. These materials are used in the manufacture of commercial furniture. Thanks to constant upgrades and changes, the company produces very high quality products.
Criterias of choice
To highlight which upholstery is better, it is necessary to highlight the main selection criteria. Each material has its own characteristics, purpose and subtleties in production. But all of them are united by the general requirements necessary for the manufacture of high quality furniture. Furniture makers pay attention to these indicators during production.
- Wear resistance and service life. The fabric undergoes a special test, in which it is established for what period of time the pile on the fabric or its threads wears out.
- Color stability.This indicator is determined by a special method on a five-point scale. It is noted how prone to fading can be.
- Tissue stability is taken into account. Many materials tend to stretch or shrink. Manufacturers should give notice of such features.
- Peeling test. This check consists in establishing an indicator of the formation of rolls and pellets from the fleecy part of the fabric.
- Special processing or impregnation of materials.
- Resistant to fire.
- Environmental indicator of the fabric.
- The ability of a material to pass air through itself. This figure should be as high as possible, which will protect the fabric from possible crackles.
To find out which fabric is best for sofa upholstery, you need to familiarize yourself with each one separately.
Choice of materials
Before you select which upholstery for the sofa is better to choose, you need to decide on the purpose of such furniture. Be sure to consider all the criteria in detail. They are textile, non-woven, leather and fur. What materials for upholstery are:
Genuine Leather
Upholstery is one of the most expensive materials, it is of high quality and is suitable for classic furniture upholstery.
Pros:
- long service life;
- high strength indicator;
- well resistant to moisture;
- easy to care for.
Minuses:
- easy to scratch;
- minimum range of colors;
- is a combustible material;
- it is important to purchase leather of exceptionally high quality, otherwise it will quickly crack.
Flocks
They are classified as nonwovens. Manufacturing consists in the process of gluing threads on a special base. The first such fabrics appeared a long time ago. In its manufacture, primitive manufacturing methods were used. Modern technologies make it possible to manufacture and produce the highest quality flocks used in furniture production.
Pros:
- good resistance to mechanical damage, almost invisible scratches;
- does not attract pet hair;
- high resistance to moisture;
- maintains color well;
- no pellets and rolling are formed from the fleecy part of the material;
- easy to clean.
Minuses:
- wears out too quickly by abrasion;
- the ability to absorb foreign odors.
Faux fur
The upholstery is made of various materials that imitate animal skins. Natural cotton is used in the manufacture. Adhesive, stitching, textile and knitted production technologies are used. Possesses high quality and pleasant appearance.
Pros:
- environmentally friendly materials;
- effectively repels water;
- long service life and operation.
Minuses:
- during care and cleaning, do not use a washing vacuum cleaner, and detergents containing various chemical substances, oil products;
- capable of gradual abrasion.
Faux suede
Excellent versatile upholstery material. It has a lot of positive reviews, beautiful, stylish and modern appearance. Has a variety of colors. In terms of price policy, it is much cheaper than natural material, but is not inferior in its qualities. It has a lot of positive properties and advantages that are important for the modern consumer.
Pros:
- has a high percentage of strength;
- there is a long and durable period of use, operation;
- does not wear out for a long time, which is so important for maintaining its appearance.
Minuses:
- when leaving, avoid the use of detergents containing petroleum products and various chemical substances;
- preference should be given to a material with a base of exceptionally high quality, otherwise this will lead to its rapid deformation and loss of its beautiful appearance.
Velours
Various components are used in the manufacture of this material. For this reason, it is called mixed.It contains polyester, cotton and viscose. It has a stylish and beautiful appearance. Sofa models made in this style are ideally combined in a modern interior and fit into any design solution.
Pros:
- has the ability of good ventilation, due to good air permeability;
- the material is not prone to stretching;
- has a stylish design, thanks to the surface of the material, which looks velvety.
Minuses:
- there are difficulties in leaving, especially when removing stains;
- the use of exceptionally soft and gentle cleaning is allowed;
- short service life due to fast abrasion.
Imitation leather
Faux leather is preferred by many consumers for several compelling reasons. Modern manufacturers make leatherette of such high quality that it is very difficult to distinguish it from natural leather in appearance and in its properties. Additionally, artificial material has a relatively low price than natural. And in terms of characteristics and properties, environmentally friendly artificial material is not much different from natural.
Pros:
- perfectly withstands moisture;
- does not wear out for a long time;
- easy to operate, easy to care for.
Minuses:
- is a combustible material;
- various mechanical damages and scratches are possible;
- on contact with human skin has a sticky effect.
Tapestry
Tapestry manufacturers used a unique manufacturing technology, in which the material quite often has two-sided use. Often, the images bear the character of a landscape, various ornaments, decorative elements. Beautiful, unusual and stylish design. Has many different execution variations. Ideal for upholstery.
Pros:
- contains a large percentage of natural ingredients, one of which is natural cotton;
- thanks to modern production technologies and composition, it has a high percentage of strength;
- long service life;
- a diverse color palette with a variety of colors and designs;
- does not allow moisture to pass through.
Minuses:
- may fade in the sun over time;
- abrades too quickly during use.
Jacquard
Included in the group of woven materials. Consists of an equal ratio of artificial fibers of synthetic origin and natural ones. According to external features, there is a high percentage of similarity with artificial silk. It is used in the manufacture of upholstered furniture.
Pros:
- has a diverse color palette of shades;
- belongs to the number of durable materials;
- has a soft texture;
- long service life and operation associated with good wear resistance;
- high level of durability;
- not subject to fading in the sun.
Minuses:
- you can not do wet cleaning;
- has a sliding effect due to its individual surface.
Chenille
Very unusual stuff. In its manufacture, a unique technique is used in which the villi and threads are intertwined, forming a kind of caterpillar. Such fabrics can be of natural, artificial and synthetic origin. It has a very beautiful appearance, ideal for upholstering upholstered furniture.
Pros:
- does not stretch during operation;
- no deformation occurs;
- does not roll, no pellets are formed;
- does not absorb foreign aromas;
- retains its excellent appearance for a long time;
- not exposed to ultraviolet rays of the sun.
Minuses:
- weak resistance to water is noted;
- there are traces and puffs from the claws of pets;
- high material cost.
How to make the right choice
In order to choose the best material for sofa upholstery, it is important not only to familiarize yourself with it, but also to determine the purpose of such furniture. Modern materials are conventionally divided into several categories.Manufacturers claim that the higher the category, the better the material.
The first categories are less dense materials. These are fabrics with a minimum thickness. They are represented by some types of flocks, suede, chenille, corduroy, tapestries and others. The second category is occupied by the same materials, but they have a denser texture of execution. The third position contains all the main types of materials with a complex type of textured finish. The fourth category includes all complex fabric specimens. They are represented by heavy types of tapestry, suede, chenille, with complex types of patterns. The fifth position is occupied by fabrics with inclusions of natural fibers and threads. Various leatherette are in the sixth position. The seventh category is anti-vandal flock and inexpensive types of genuine leather. The highest level of the category is occupied by expensive genuine leather of high quality.
The choice of material for the purpose of furniture
Having familiarized yourself with all categories and types of materials, it is necessary to highlight the direct purpose of furniture. The choice of upholstery will depend on this. What criteria are based on when choosing:
- Numerous customer reviews say that when choosing a sofa for a children's room, you should give preference to flock and chenille. Both materials must be with special impregnating mixtures. Such upholstery material will become durable, safe and durable. Children love to paint, jump on the couch, explore the world around them with a little destruction. All this will begin to pass absolutely calmly, since such materials are able to withstand loads. It is easy to look after him. Any dirt can be easily removed and washed.
- Sofas made of jacquard, tapestry and velor can decorate an expensive and chic living room. A separate word should be said about natural leather. Mixed types of fabrics are often used. All of these options will decorate any expensive living room design, will fit perfectly into a chic interior. The appearance of such furniture always looks expensive and great.
- In the bedroom, you should choose a sofa made of soft furniture fabrics. They should be pleasant to the touch, gentle and not rough. The ideal solution would be to use chenille, velor and jacquard. Flock is ideal for a long service life, but such a fabric is rather rough to the touch, so it does not quite fit into the delicate interior of the bedroom.
- Kitchen furniture should be not only beautiful, but also practical. It should not allow moisture to pass through, should not be subject to mechanical damage, and should be easy to care for. The ideal solution would be natural and artificial leather. Both options are easy to clean, they are moisture resistant and not subject to mechanical damage.
Having familiarized yourself with all types and categories of upholstery, you can select favorites for yourself that will ideally fit into the intended interior. Be sure to pay attention to the brand and country of the manufacturer when choosing. They prefer well-known and proven brands, rather than little-known ones. Be sure to use the selection criteria based on the purpose of the sofas. For long-term and quality use, it is recommended to carefully select the material of the sofa upholstery.
