What’s It Made Of?

The facts on choosing fabrics for your furnishings.

by Nancy Robinson

When selecting home furnishing fabrics, fiber and construction are almost as important as color and pattern. The reason: They’re all factors that play a major role in how a room looks and feels, as well as how the furnishings hold up over time. So before you select your next upholstered couch or chair, get acquainted with a few fabric facts.

The Right Fit

Experts advise choosing fabrics based on their application (e.g. window treatments vs. sofas), as well as how much and what type of use the room gets. “It depends on whether the room is one you will live in every day, or one where you might have a cup of tea or entertain occasionally, in which case you would want it to be comfortable but dressy,” explains Wes Mancini, a veteran fabric designer and president of Wesley Mancini Designs.

To appreciate the importance of selecting the right fabric for the job, consider the difference between silk and chenille. Silk is a beautiful, light-duty fabric that’s well suited to window treatments, decorative pillows, table and bed skirts, but it’s not the best choice for the family room sofa. Chenille, on the other hand, is a durable upholstery fabric that is also extremely comfortable, making it a wise selection for frequently used furniture. Similar distinctions might also be made between twill and glazed chintz fabrics.  Twill is a fairly rugged fabric well suited to upholstery in causal living areas, while an expensive glazed chintz is probably best relegated to those rooms that don’t get much use. 

“If it’s for the living room or bedroom, the fabric may not have to be quite as tough,” explained Stacy Allen, Senior Marketing Director for Thibaut. “You might even use a silk or an embroidery, if the furniture rarely gets used.”

The Fiber Factor

Fabric durability hinges on a variety of factors, most notably the type of fiber, the construction of the fabric and even the finish. Some fabrics have more inherent strength and dimensional stability than others, which explains why knits, for example, are not usually used for upholstery. Other considerations include colorfastness, resistance to abrasion, stain repellency and clean-ability. Many manufacturers apply stain-repellant coatings to fabrics before they leave the factory. Furniture retailers also often offer spray-on fabric protection at the time of purchase as well.

Beyond stain repellency, however, “the main thing you want to look at is the fabric’s abrasion durability,” advises Elizabeth Durham, manager at Lulu Belle’s, a home furnishings fabric store in St. Louis. “Most manufacturers provide the double-rub abrasion rating, which is a minimum of 9,000 double rubs for upholstery. A fabric with a rating of 12,000 to 13,000 double rubs is medium-duty, and 15,000 and higher is considered heavy-duty in the residential market.”

The Color of Durability

Two other practical considerations are the color of the fabric and whether it’s a solid, print or a woven—all of which impact how a fabric looks over time. Sofas, chairs and ottomans upholstered in light-colored solids and prints on light grounds will show dirt and stains more readily than darker woven patterns. The result: They have a much shorter life span.

For family rooms, it’s advisable to stay away from white and cream colors, according to Pam Maffei-Toolan, vice president of design at PK Lifestyles. “Choose fabrics that are durable and cozy at the same time. Jacquards, chenille and heavy woven fabrics can withstand a good beating. Cotton duck, canvases, and denims are always very popular,” she adds.

High performance fabrics, originally developed for outdoor use, are also good choices for indoor use. Manufacturers like Waverly are developing fabrics like these that can withstand the rigors of the automotive industry, and prolonged exposure to sunlight.  Another Waverly fabric program features decorative prints on a spun polyester fabric able to withstand 50,000 double rubs before failing. “The patterns are beautiful and the dirt wipes right off,” adds Maffei-Toolan.

The reality is that most residential fabrics are so well made that you will probably tire of them before they actually wear out. Consequently, designers sound a note of caution when it comes to sacrificing style for durability. As Thibaut’s Allan concludes, “You can always decide to make a room beautiful and just not worry so much.”