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The Best Fabric for Your New Sofa
Combines Durability, Comfort, and Style
Combines Durability, Comfort, and Style
If you’re searching for a new fabric sofa, couch or settee for your home, fabric choice is an important decision. It should be a durable fabric that can stand the test of traffic over time, but you also want to be sure that the sofa fabric is comfortable and suits your home decor.
In this guide, we will discuss natural fabrics, synthetic fabrics, leather and faux leather, as well as some unique fabrics so that you can compare them all and decide what option is the best for you. We’ll discuss price points, durability, pet-friendliness, stain-resistance and organic considerations.
100 Day Relaxin’ Trial
We want your mind to feel as comfortable as your butt. That’s why we offer an industry leading 100 day return guarantee. Comfy is as comfy does.
100% Free, Fast Delivery
Paying for shipping is just ridiculous. So is waiting 3-4 months for your order. Our unique modular solution lets us ship your new product to you fast and free.
Forever Warranty
You know what a short warranty means? It means questionable quality and durability. We offer a best in class limited lifetime warranty on our frames so you can rest easy.
Sustainably Made
Each sofa is handmade by skilled artisans in the same factory as some of the leading, high quality furniture brands. We also have a focus on the health of the environment, which is why we use recycled materials, Sustainable Forest Initiative supplied wood, and our entire facility is Certified UL Responsible for ethical sourcing.
Financing Available
Allform and Affirm have teamed up to offer financing as low as 0% APR on qualifying purchases. Just choose ‘Affirm - Pay Over Time’ at checkout.
Synthetic Fabrics
Synthetic fabrics, otherwise known as performance fabrics, have the look and feel of natural fibers, but cost less and are easier to clean up. Synthetic fibers typically contain natural fiber and polyester blends that make them more durable, but still very comfortable.
Many love synthetic fabrics for their stain and fade resistance as well as their combination with natural fibers which gives them a stronger, tighter weave. Furthermore, synthetic fibers are far more resistant to snags from your furry friends, again due to their tight weave design.
Allform, for example, uses 55,000 double rub, 100% polyester for its sofas. This is a performance fabric that is scratch, pill and stain resistant. We call our fabric “performance fabric” because it's built to withstand busy homes with heavy use.
Like all of our materials, it’s also made to be eco-friendly and sustainable - all Allform fabrics and leathers meet UFAC 1 Flammability Standard without the addition of flame retardants. Common synthetic fabrics include polyester, microfiber, polypropylene, nylon, olefin, and acrylics.
Pros
More affordable. • More durable - stain and snag resistant. • Easy to clean.
Cons
Not 100% natural. • Less resistant to pet hair. • Oil stains can be more difficult to remove.
Natural Fabrics
When shopping for your living room sofa, one consideration might be a natural fabric sofa. Natural fabrics are plant-based, and aside from genuine leather, is the only material that can come organic. Typically, natural fibers have a high thread count and a tight weave design.
Some natural fabrics include cotton fabric, linen, silk, wool and rayon.
Pros
Come in a variety of price points. • Organic options available, hypoallergenic. • Naturally snag and abrasion resistant. • Pet hair resistant.
Cons
Not super stain resistant. • Not as easy to clean as leather and synthetic • Can be pricier than synthetics.
Leather and Faux
Leather Materials
Leather Materials
Leather and faux leather fabrics are completely different, structurally, from natural and synthetic fabrics. Leather sofas have much higher stain resistance and typically only require minimal spot cleaning.
Leather furniture begins with a cow hide that goes through a splitting and preparation process. Materials include cow and composite hides and come in various levels, referred to as grains. Specifically, there are top-grain, split-grain, and suede.
Allform sofas are made with top-grain protected leather, the real deal. The leather is sourced from North and South American hides and tanned in Mexico. It has 1.2 to 1.4 thickness, about 20 percent more than typical leather furniture. In other words, we put quality first.
Conversely, faux leather materials include polyurethane, polyamide microfiber, PVC, and faux suede and are created by gluing together leather dust, vinyl, plastic, glue, and sealed with a protective coating.
Pros
Easy to clean. • Superior stain resistance. • Higher-end option compared to fabric.
Cons
Genuine leather is far more expensive than fabric. • Faux leather is not as durable as genuine leather. • Can experience rips, tears and scratches.
Unique Fabrics
If you’re looking for a different fabric, you might be interested in a denim or velvet sofa. These upholstery fabrics aren’t as commonly used for furniture but if you have special needs, and can find them, they provide a great alternative to traditional fabric and leather. Let’s take a look at how these compare to the other fabrics we’ve reviewed today.
Pros
Typically less expensive than natural fabric or genuine leather. • Less common, great if you prefer a unique sofa. • Good options for a DIY reupholstery project.
Cons
A reupholstery project can cost more than buying a sofa. • Not great options for sofas. • Not as scratch and stain resistant.
Choosing the Right Fabric
for Your Situation
for Your Situation
We hope you know all the best upholstery options for your new sofa. Each of the different fabrics we’ve discussed here today have different benefits. Ultimately, the best sofa fabric for you will depend on several considerations including your budget, lifestyle and design preferences.
For example, if you have pets, you might like a leather sofa that is easy to clean and stain resistant, or a performance fabric sofa which is also easy to clean. However, if you want something all natural, a simple fabric option might be what you’re looking for.
Be sure to consider the level of maintenance that is required for your sofa as well. For example, leather sofas require regular conditioning to keep their durability and appeal. If you’re not up for that, you might be happier with a piece of furniture upholstered with performance fabric that is super easy to clean and maintain.
For that, check out Allform’s custom sectionals and sofas. We’re sure you’ll find something that matches what you’re looking for.
