How to choose sofa fabrics for your home

15 May 2025

As a piece that is typically the focal point of your living room, it’s important to choose a sofa that suits your style, space and needs. Finding the right fabric plays a crucial factor in the overall look, comfort, and durability of your seat. With an abundance of sofas in Hong Kong available, it can feel overwhelming determining which option is right for you. If you're not sure about how to choose sofa fabrics, fear not – we share our top elements to consider when shopping for your home.

What should I consider when selecting upholstery fabric?

First and foremost, consider your lifestyle and needs: how will the sofa be used on a daily basis? Do you have young children or pets? These factors will help determine how durable of a fabric and how much maintenance is required for your piece.

Assessing your lifestyle and needs

When choosing the right upholstery fabric, it's essential to assess your lifestyle and needs. Consider the following questions:

How often will you use your sofa?
Do you have any young
Do you or any of your loved ones suffer from any allergies?
Do you have any pets?

Durability and maintenance for your sofas and armchairs

When choosing a sofa fabric, durability and maintenance are key factors to consider. You want a fabric that can withstand heavy use and is easy to clean and maintain.

Durability is crucial, especially if your sofa will be used frequently or if you have young children or pets. Look for fabrics with a high double rub count, which indicates the fabric's ability to withstand wear and tear. Fabrics made of synthetic materials like polyester or nylon are known for their durability and resistance to stains and scratches

On the other hand, if your piece will be used less frequently or you live in a kid and pet-free home, you may prioritise luxury and texture over durability. Natural fabrics like cotton, linen, and wool offer a soft feel and add a touch of elegance to your living room. However, it's important to note that these fabrics may require a little more care and can be prone to wrinkling or damage from light or humidity.

Maintenance is another important aspect to consider. Look for fabrics that are easy to clean and maintain. Some fabrics can be spot cleaned with water and mild soap, while others may require professional cleaning (many sofas come with removable covers so that you can do so with ease).

Regular vacuuming and occasional spot cleaning can help prolong the life of your sofa fabric. Check out our after care guide on how to best look after your upholstered piece!

Natural Fabrics

There’s so much to love about natural upholstery fabrics (such as cotton, linen and wool): they’re a renewable resource, breathable, and are comfortable to the touch. Let’s take a deeper dive into the different options available:

Cotton

Cotton is a popular sofa fabric choice due to its breathability and comfort. It's also durable, making it suitable for daily use in a living room. This natural fibre is relatively low maintenance and can withstand high traffic. Cotton blends can enhance its durability and resistance to wrinkling. This material is a good option if you prioritise a natural fabric with a soft feel. Its versatility makes it an excellent choice for traditional and trendy interiors alike.

Linen

Because of its excellent breathable qualities, linen is a popular choice if you live in warm climates. With its high tensile strength that resists pilling and abrasion, making it a durable fabric that’s well suited for a good choice for heavy use. However, it may wrinkle more than other fabrics, which can help achieve an effortless, lived-in look and feel.

Wool

Wool is a wonderful choice due to its durability and natural stain resistant properties, and is therefore a great option for a sofa that gets lots of use, especially in homes with pets or kids. Additionally, wool has a natural ability to regulate temperature, making it comfortable in both warm and cool climates. If you're looking for a fabric with a luxurious feel that can stand the test of time, wool is an excellent choice. And if you like the look and feel of wool but prefer a little more strength and resistance to wear, look for an option with a mix of synthetic fibres, which can enhance its overall strength.

Synthetic, microfibre fabrics

As much as we love natural fabrics, synthetic, microfibre fabrics are a budget-friendly option that provide a wide range of benefits.

Polyester

Polyester offers impressive versatility for sofa upholstery. Its durability and stain resistance make it an excellent choice for high-traffic areas, especially for households with kids or pets. With its easy maintenance and affordability, polyester is a great option for those seeking a practical yet stylish sofa fabric.

Nylon

Nylon is a tough contender when it comes to sofa fabrics. It is incredibly resistant to stains, making it a popular choice for households with pets or young kids. Nylon's strength and abrasion resistance ensure longevity, making it a reliable option for those seeking a sofa that will last them for many years come.

How to choose sofa fabrics based on colour?

Alongside determining the composition of your sofa fabric, it is also important to think about what colour fabric will be best option suited for your space.

Consider your room's overall colour scheme

When selecting your fabric colour for your piece of furniture, it's important to consider how it will complement your existing palette. Neutral tones offer versatility and can be easily accented with colourful cushions or throws for a vibrant touch. In contrast, bold colours can serve as a statement piece in an otherwise muted room. In addition, light colours can enhance the light and airy appearance of your space, while darker colours can help create a cosy, inviting look and feel.

Think about the maintenance and cleaning requirements for different colours

When selecting the colour, it's crucial to consider the maintenance and cleaning requirements associated with different colours. Light-coloured fabrics tend to show stains more prominently, requiring frequent cleaning to maintain their appearance. On the other hand, darker shades may conceal stains better, but as they absorb light and heat, may be more susceptible to fading if placed under an area with direct sunlight, thereby requiring more intensive cleaning to keep them looking fresh.

Conclusion

There are so many factors to consider choosing the right sofa fabric, but we hope that this step-by-step guide helps you narrow down your options! With plenty of colour options and compositions available on the market, you'll be sure to find an option that is functional, stylish, and meets your space and lifestyle habits. Indeed, selecting the right fabric is just one aspect to finding your perfect sofa: once you've determined the size of the furniture to perfectly fit for your living room, as well as the right design that reflects your space and personal style, you'll have a cosy and stylish sofa that you can enjoy for many years to come.