Furniture by fabric

Find furniture and accessories by fabric to choose the texture, look and practical features that suit your home. This category helps you compare velvet, leather, boucle, cotton, polyester, cord and other materials used for sofas, armchairs, beds, dining chairs, pouffes, cushions and decorative pieces.

What to consider when choosing a fabric

The right fabric depends on more than personal taste. Think about where the furniture will be placed, how often it will be used and who uses the room. A busy living room needs durable, easy-care upholstery, while a bedroom chair or decorative bench can focus more on softness and texture. In dining areas, stain resistance and simple cleaning are especially useful.

For more information check out guide about: what upholstery material is the best for your home

Which fabric suits each room?

Velvet works well when you want a soft, elegant finish, especially on sofas, armchairs and beds. Boucle adds a cosy, textured look and is popular for accent chairs, benches and cushions. Leather and faux leather are practical choices for furniture that needs regular wiping. Cotton has a natural feel, polyester is hard-wearing and low-maintenance, while cord adds warmth and a relaxed, tactile finish.

Should you follow fabric trends?

Trending materials such as boucle, velvet and cord can help refresh a room, but trends should not be the only reason for choosing a fabric. For larger pieces, such as sofas and beds, it is usually better to choose a material you will still like in several years. For smaller accessories, cushions or occasional chairs, trend-led fabrics are easier to update when your style changes.

How to recognise good quality fabric

Good upholstery fabric should feel consistent to the touch, sit smoothly on the furniture and suit the intended use of the product. Look for tightly woven fibres, even colour, neat seams and a finish that does not feel overly thin or loose. For frequently used seating, durability, resistance to pilling and ease of cleaning are just as important as appearance.

Special fabric features worth checking

Some fabrics include practical features that make everyday use easier. Easy-clean upholstery helps remove common marks more quickly. Pet-friendly fabrics are designed to better resist scratches, hair and daily wear from animals. Water-repellent fabrics slow down liquid absorption, giving you more time to wipe spills before they soak in. These features are especially useful for family homes, dining areas, living rooms and furniture used every day.

Questions you should ask yourself before shopping

• Will the furniture be used every day or mainly as a decorative piece?
• Does the room need a soft, textured, natural or easy-clean fabric?
• Are children, pets or frequent guests likely to use the furniture?
• Will the colour and texture match the furniture already in the room?
• Do you need special features such as easy clean, pet friendly or water repellent upholstery?

What to check before buying

Before choosing furniture by fabric, consider the room, daily use, cleaning needs, texture and colour. Trends can be useful for inspiration, but the best fabric is one that matches how you live, how much maintenance you want and how the furniture will be used over time.