Upholstery Fabric: What to Look For and How to Choose

When you buy a new sofa, the upholstery fabric, the material covering the frame and cushions of furniture like sofas and chairs. Also known as furniture fabric, it’s the first thing you touch, sit on, and see every day. It’s not just decoration—it’s the part that takes the wear. A cheap fabric can look great in the store but start pilling, fading, or tearing within months. A good one? It lasts years, even with kids, pets, or daily use.

Not all upholstery fabric is created equal. You’ve got durable fabric like performance microfiber, which resists stains and doesn’t fade under sunlight. Then there’s leather, which ages well but needs occasional conditioning. Cotton blends are soft and breathable but can show wear faster. Linen looks elegant but wrinkles easily. And then there’s the hidden stuff—the weave density, the double rub count, the backing. These aren’t marketing buzzwords. They’re real indicators of how long your sofa will hold up.

Most people focus on color and pattern. But what matters more is how the fabric was tested. Look for a rating of 15,000 double rubs or higher—that’s the industry standard for heavy use. If you have pets, avoid loosely woven fabrics. If you have kids, go for stain-resistant finishes. If you live somewhere sunny, skip light colors unless they’re UV-treated. You don’t need to spend a fortune, but you do need to know what to ask for.

The posts below show you exactly how to spot quality upholstery, how to replace worn-out fabric without buying a whole new sofa, and what materials real experts choose for high-traffic homes. You’ll find real examples of what works—and what falls apart—based on actual use, not showroom lighting. Whether you’re reupholstering an old favorite or picking your next sofa, this collection gives you the facts you need to avoid regret.