So it’s time to reupholster. When it comes to choosing a fabric for your sofa, there is more to consider than just color and price. Of course, appearance does matter. A sofa can have a big effect on the feeling of a space, and it’s very important that we feel comfortable when we use it. But beyond fitting in visually, a good sofa lives our lives with us, it has to survive what we fill our lives with, and it needs to last for years through it all. So once you’ve gathered a few strips of fabric you like, consider the following to help make your decision.
Take an honest look at your lifestyle and requirements. Will you actually sit on it often, or is it mostly a decoration? If so, a textured fabric, like wool or even velvet, will look beautiful if it doesn’t get overused. But if you have children or pets, a smooth-surfaced fabric like cotton would be safer and can be washed when there are any spills or mud marks on it. But if you really just want a sofa that lasts a lifetime of hard work, choose a tough, durable fabric, like microfibre or corduroy.