8 Tips for Selecting the Perfect Upholstery Fabric for Your Home
Choosing the perfect upholstery fabric for your furniture can transform a space, but with so many options available, where do you begin? Whether you’re redecorating a room, revamping an old sofa, or designing a custom piece, selecting the right fabric is crucial. At Saint and Poet Upholstery Fabrics, we specialise in printed upholstery fabrics, featuring bright and bold designs that can suit any home décor. This guide will help you understand the key factors to consider when choosing upholstery fabrics.
Why Upholstery Fabric Choice Matters
Your upholstery fabric is not just about looks—it affects durability, comfort, and the overall feel of your furniture. Selecting the wrong fabric can result in premature wear, while the right one will last for years, maintaining its appearance and functionality. At Saint and Poet Upholstery Fabrics, all of our printed fabrics meet the highest standards of durability and quality, having been put through rigorous testing to ensure they perform exceptionally well in both everyday use and high-traffic environments. This guarantees that your furniture will look stunning and striking for years to come.
Understanding Fabric Durability
One of the first things to consider is how much use your furniture will get. High-traffic areas, like family living rooms, require hard-wearing, durable fabrics. Upholstery fabrics like cotton blends, polyester, and microfiber are ideal for these spaces as they offer durability without sacrificing style.
At Saint and Poet Upholstery Fabrics, our bright and bold printed fabrics are crafted with quality and durability in mind, perfect for adding a pop of colour to even the busiest rooms. With a fabric composition of 47% Linen, 40% Cotton, and 13% Nylon, all of our upholstery designs have a 40,000 rub test rating. This means that not only will your fabric design stand out, but it will also last the test of time, even in the most frequently used areas.
Fabric Types and Their Unique Characteristics
Each fabric type has unique qualities that affect how it looks, feels, and performs. Here’s a breakdown of common upholstery fabrics:
• Cotton: A soft, breathable natural fabric. It’s great for casual settings but may need extra protection in high-use areas.
• Linen: Offers a fresh, crisp look but tends to wrinkle, making it more suitable for low-traffic furniture like accent chairs.
• Velvet: Luxuriously soft with a high-end look, velvet works well in formal or statement pieces.
• Leather: Durable, easy to clean, and timeless but can be costly.
• Synthetic Blends: Fabrics like polyester and acrylic offer durability and are often resistant to stains.
At Saint and Poet, we focus on printed upholstery fabrics that can complement any of these fabric types. Our bold designs can enhance the rich texture of velvet or add a creative flair to a linen or cotton base. A fine example of this being our Sculpture Collection, a collection that merges bold design and striking colour.
Colours, Patterns, and Prints: Setting the Tone
At Saint and Poet Upholstery Fabrics, we specialise in bold and unique designs that combine vibrant colours with striking patterns, perfect for creating statement upholstery pieces. Our prints are not just about choosing between colour or pattern, they’re about blending the two to create truly eye-catching designs that bring personality and energy to any space. Whether you’re looking for a pop of colour or a dynamic mix of patterns, our fabrics are ideal for making a lasting impression.
For larger furniture pieces like sofas and sectionals, our bold designs can anchor the room, becoming the centrepiece of your décor. On smaller pieces, such as accent chairs or footstools, our prints offer a stylish focal point that adds interest and dimension to your interior. Explore The Exhibite Collection to discover how our unique prints can transform your furniture into works of art.
Durability and the Martindale Rub Count
Another important factor in choosing upholstery fabric is the Martindale rub count, which measures fabric durability. A higher rub count means the fabric can withstand more wear, making it suitable for high-traffic areas. For example, fabrics with a rub count above 15,000 are perfect for everyday use.
All of our printed upholstery fabrics at Saint and Poet are designed to withstand daily wear and tear, making them both practical and visually striking for high-use spaces. Each of our fabrics undergoes rigorous testing to achieve a 40,000 Martindale rub count, which means they are built to endure repeated friction without compromising their quality or appearance. This high rub count is a benchmark for durability, ensuring that all of our fabrics meet commercial-grade standards. Whether used in residential or commercial settings, our fabrics are engineered to last, offering both beauty and resilience even in the busiest environments. To learn more about the craftsmanship behind our fabrics, visit our Manufacturing Page for detailed insights into our process.
Fabric Care and Maintenance
Another important consideration is how easy your chosen fabric is to maintain. Some fabrics are more resistant to stains and spills, making them ideal for homes with children or pets. Fabrics like microfibre or treated cotton are easy to clean, while more delicate fabrics like velvet and silk may require professional cleaning.
At Saint and Poet Upholstery Fabrics, our printed upholstery options are not only beautiful but practical, with many being easy to maintain without sacrificing design. We recommend following fabric care instructions to keep your upholstery looking fresh. Additionally, all of our fabrics achieve a Grade A for resistance to tearing and a Grade A for colour fastness, ensuring long-lasting vibrancy and durability even with regular use.
How Climate Affects Fabric Choice
Where you live can influence your upholstery fabric selection. For warmer climates, breathable fabrics like cotton or linen keep your furniture cool, while colder regions may benefit from warmer, more insulating fabrics like wool or velvet. If you’re looking for something versatile, synthetic blends can work across various conditions.
Our bright and bold printed designs can be used on fabrics suited for all climates, giving you the flexibility to choose a material that matches both your aesthetic and environmental needs.
Sustainability and Eco-Friendly Fabrics
Sustainable fabrics are growing in popularity as more people look to reduce their environmental footprint. Fabrics made from recycled materials or organic fibres are not only eco-friendly but also durable and stylish. At Saint and Poet, we are committed to offering environmentally friendly printed upholstery fabrics that help you create beautiful, sustainable interiors.
Budgeting for Your Upholstery Project
When it comes to choosing upholstery fabric, budget is a crucial consideration, especially in the realm of high-end furnishings. While luxury fabrics like leather and velvet can be quite costly, investing in premium printed upholstery fabrics from Saint and Poet offers exceptional value.
Our fabrics are crafted with the highest quality materials and meticulous manufacturing processes. This means that when you choose Saint and Poet, you’re not just buying fabric; you’re investing in durability and timeless design that will stand the test of time. Our commitment to quality ensures that your upholstery will not only look stunning but also last a lifetime, making it a worthwhile investment for any home or commercial space.
