What Is the Best Fabric to Upholster a Sofa?

Cotton/Cotton Blends

• Natural cotton is durable and resists fading and pilling but tends to wrinkle and stain. Choosing a cotton-polyester blend will help with the wrinkling problem and, by adding a stain-resistant finish, the cotton blends become family friendly. Cotton is graded by threads per inch. The higher the thread count, the more durable the fabric. Always select the highest thread count you can afford. Keep weave in mind also. Damasks are more formal; the canvas weaves, like sailcloth or cotton duck, will give you a casual look.

Leather

• Few fabrics wear better or resist staining, pilling or soiling than leather. It's suitable for any piece of furniture, comes in an array of colors and finishes and, as it wears and softens, it just becomes more attractive. The downside of leather is that it's difficult to sew without special equipment. If you're planning to do the reupholstery yourself, rather than use a professional, leather may not be the best choice of fabric for you.

Vinyl

• An affordable alternative to leather is vinyl. Today's vinyl is the most widely used fabric in the world for inside or outside upholstery. It's durable, lightweight, stain-resistant and will last up to 50 years when used inside or 20 years when used to upholster outdoor furniture, even under extreme conditions. Vinyl is available in two finishes, matte or glossy. It is also available in many colors and textures and cleans up with the wipe of a damp cloth.

Linen/Silk

• If your sofa is used in a low-traffic or more formal area of your home, linen or silk is an option. Both of these fabrics are easy to use for a do-it-yourself project and will provide a fresh, crisp look for your sofa. They will wrinkle with high use, are susceptible to stains and must be professionally dry cleaned to avoid fading or shrinking, but in an area used primarily by adults, linen or silk is ideal.