Your Guide to the Best and Most Durable Sofa Materials
A good sofa you can argue will be one of your top used pieces of furniture in your home. So when it comes to selecting the right piece, you want to consider both style and function. Nothing is worse than getting kid or pet stains on a white natural linen or velvet sofa that’s impossible to clean!
Whether you’re reupholstering an existing sofa or purchasing a new sofa, read on to learn which materials may best fit your needs and lifestyle.
What Factors Affect Durability?
First, is good to know what impacts a material’s durability. One thing to consider is the weave. The tighter the weave the more durable the fabric. This is mainly because the tighter weave makes it stronger and less dirt and dust can get in. The looser the weave the more vulnerable the fabric.
Lulu and Georgia
Top Durable Fabrics
Microfiber and Synthetics
Microfiber and other synthetic fabrics like rayon, polyester, and acrylic get the highest score in durability. Microfiber is a type of soft polyester that is very tightly woven. This makes it tough, fade-resistant, and easy to clean.
Depending on the type of synthetic blend, these fabrics can attract pet hair. If you have pets and don’t like the idea of using a lint roller on your sofa daily then these may not be the way to go.
Also, you may prefer a more natural fabric instead of synthetics. If so, keep reading.
West Elm
Leather
Leather is a stunning natural fabric and overall very durable. It’s stain-resistant and easy to clean. Any spills can be wiped away easily. Another plus is that leather ages very well and lasts a long time.
The look is very classic and sophisticated, making leather a very popular choice if your budget allows for it.
The cons of leather are that it can fade when in direct sunlight and show scratches more easily, so if you’re worried about pet nails and kids being rough on it you can go for distressed leather. Even faux leather is another option if you want to save some money.
Tips and Options for Less Durable Fabrics
Unfortunately, most natural fabrics are not as durable as synthetic options. However, if you like the look and feel of natural fabrics there are a few different options if that’s the route you want to take.
Modsy
Cotton
There are different types of cotton. Heaver cotton weaves are more durable than the lighter woven cottons.
In general, cotton is a popular fabric choice for its versatility and is fairly durable as it resists fading. The main issue with cotton is that it can stain easily. However, if you go with a cotton synthetic blend, that’ll increase its durability. Or if you prefer a 100% cotton material you can apply a stain-resistant finish.
Anthropologie
Linen
Linen is a chic material but like linen clothing, it’s susceptible to wrinkling and stains.
Linen as a slipcover is a good alternative since it can easily be removed and washed. In this form, it’s also very customizable which is a plus.
Crate and Barrel
Velvet, Chenille, and Suade
Classic velvet or chenille are usually made from silk, so they’re super luxurious but also fragile. Though suede is a type of leather, it’s not as strong as traditional leather because it is softer and thinner. Each of these types of materials is difficult to clean.
There are though more durable synthetic and synthetic blend options if you like the aesthetic of these materials. Like polyester or polyester blends are much stronger.
The only downside is that they also attract pet hair, so if you have pets and using a lint roller is not ideal or realistic for you then you may want to reconsider this fabric type.
Architectural Digest
Performance Fabrics
Most furniture and fabric companies have “performance fabrics” so they’ll offer performance cotton, linen, velvet, or suede ect. This means the original natural fabric has been treated to become more durable. This is done in a variety of ways the most common are blending with synthetics or chemically treating the fabric.
Performance versions of these fabrics are much more durable and typically are easier to clean and stand up to wear and tear better. They’re are a great option to get the best of both worlds - the look of a beautiful natural fabric with the durability of synthetics.
The Bottom Line
All fabrics have pros and cons, and no one fabric is 100% invulnerable so use this as a general guide to see what fits your aesthetic and lifestyle best.
When in doubt, get advice from the sales rep or manufacturer to see what fabric types they offer will work best for you. If you’re shopping online you may want to ask for fabric samples in advance so you can feel them and test them yourself.
Z Gallerie