How to choose cover material for your sofa

sofa

Sofas come in a huge range of materials, each offering something a little different (and commanding different price points)

The choice can be overwhelming but you can narrow down your options by looking at your lifestyle. Households with pets and lots of children will need a sofa made from resilient materials that are easy to clean. If you're living on your own or in a couple, you might be able to get away with something a little more delicate.
You should also think about how much use the sofa will get. The main sofa in front of your television will need to be more hard-wearing than one in a room designed for occasional use, for instance.
Read on and we`ll talk you through the more common sofa upholstery fabrics, so you can determine which settee material right for you.

leather

Leather Sofas

Leather sofas are classic choice. Choose right and your sofa will always be in style.
Note that there are two types of leather: natural-looking aniline leather, which displays the qualities of the animal hide, and glossier pigmented leather..

Polyester Sofas

Polyester is a form of plastic which can be spun into threads and woven into fabric. In upholstery, it's typically used in conjunction with another material - often acrylic (which we'll come to).

Linen Sofas

Linen is breathable, comfortable, and you won`t stick to it in the same way that you might stick to a leather or acrylic sofa.

Velvet Sofas

A velvet sofa screams luxury - but that luxury comes at a price, and the material itself can be an acquired taste.

Woolen Sofas

Woolen sofas aren't that common, but that's not because wool isn't a great material for a sofa. It's natural and cosy; just bear in mind that woolen sofas are usually manufactured using a blend of materials.

PU Sofas

PU is a glossy plastic made from molten resin often used as a man made alternative to leather. It's naturally elastic, and capable of repelling stains in much the same way as polyester. This is largely because the two materials are the same - the only difference being that one is made from woven fibres and one is a continuous sheet. Take a look at both materials side-by-side and you'll understand the difference.