Sofas are a main fixture in every living area, which is why it’s so important to choose an upholstery material that suits your lifestyle and design preferences. From rustic leather to luxurious velvet, sofas come in a range of materials that each offer something unique to your home. With so many options, it can be difficult to know which upholstery to choose. Here’s a breakdown of common sofa materials and some tips to help you find the perfect fit for you.

Common Sofa Materials

Leather: Leather doesn’t absorb liquid or trap dust and dander as readily as fabric, making it resistant to stains, hypoallergenic, and easy to clean – perfect for homes with young kids or pets. Genuine leather offers a durable upholstery option, though it requires occasional conditioning to prevent cracking and fading. While faux leather sofas are more budget-friendly, they do not offer the same durability as genuine leather.

Tip!

Considering purchasing a leather sofa? Check out our guide Fabric vs. Leather Sofas to help you finalize your decision.

Velvet: Velvet is a soft, shiny fabric that will add a luxurious feel to your home and offers a wide range of color options. However, this material tends to attract dust and pet hair and can be difficult to clean if stained – making it less kid- and pet-friendly. Velvet can be more delicate than other sofa materials; it can fade due to sun exposure, lose its texture and sheen from heavy use, and must be cleaned with care. Because velvet can be made from either natural or synthetic fibers, these sofas can range in price and maintenance requirements.

Chenille: Though chenille offers a similar shiny and soft texture as velvet, it is typically more durable and cost-effective. It requires regular cleaning due to its tendency to trap hair and dust, but can be maintained with simple vacuuming. Keep in mind that chenille is made of dense fibers that absorb liquid quickly and can maintain moisture in a humid environment.

Corduroy: Corduroy sofas have a plush, ribbed texture to them that offer cozy seating at an affordable price. While the distinctive ribbed texture of corduroy can help conceal stains, it can also trap lint and crumbs to make regular cleaning more difficult. This texture can also wear down over time from heavy use and the fabric can fade in direct sunlight.

Microfiber: Microfiber is a soft, budget-friendly material that is great for homes with children or pets because of its durable and easy-to-clean properties. The tight fibers of this upholstery material make it more resistant to liquid spills and can be wiped clean with a damp cloth. However, some people dislike the static electricity and synthetic feel that is common with microfiber sofas.

Tip!

Read our guide Microfiber vs. Polyester Sofas to learn more about these popular materials.

Linen: Linen is a natural fabric that provides comfortable, breathable seating that’s ideal in warm climates. Though it is prone to wrinkling and requires careful cleaning, linen is more durable than synthetic fabrics and naturally resists dust mites and other allergens.

Polyester: Polyester is a synthetic material that is often combined with other fibers to improve its durability and add stain-resistance. This easy-to-clean material is a practical choice for homes with kids and pets. While it is more affordable than natural fabrics and can handle regular wear and tear, it can be prone to pilling and is less breathable.

Performance Fabric: Performance fabrics – like Sunbrella® and Crypton® – are specifically designed to be extra durable and stain-resistant. While sofas made with performance fabric can be more expensive, it’s worth the investment for a long-lasting piece of furniture, especially if your sofa sees a lot of use, specifically from messy kids or pets.

How to Choose the Right Sofa Material

(Shop this image: grey linen sofas, yellow accent chairs, geometric retro area rugs, and mid-century modern coffee tables)

In addition to thinking about how the material of a sofa will complement your interior design style, here are some more factors to consider when choosing an upholstery fabric for your living area.

1. Think About Comfort

The material of a sofa can greatly impact its level of comfort. For something more firm, you might consider a leather or velvet sofa, while corduroy and chenille offer a cozier texture. Linen sofas tend to break in over time to provide an especially plush lounging experience.

2. Look at Your Lifestyle

When choosing the best material for your sofa, you’ll need to think about how you use your sofa. High-traffic spaces require upholstery that can handle wear and tear, making durable options like leather or performance fabrics a top pick. An upholstery fabric’s abrasion can be a key indicator for durability too – higher abrasion ratings mean higher durability.

Whether you like to eat on your sofa or consider yourself to be a more spill-prone person, choosing a stain-resistant material can ensure your sofa stays fresh. These fabrics are designed to repel liquids, which provides extra time to wipe up any spills before they set in.

3. Consider Maintenance

Consider how the care requirements for each sofa fabric type will fit with your lifestyle. If you have kids or pets, opt for a material that is hypoallergenic, stain-resistant, and simple to clean. Check out The Ultimate Guide to Kid & Pet-Proof Couch Upholstery Options for more tips on picking a sofa that’ll withstand daily wear.

If you don’t mind taking extra care of your furniture, you may want to invest in a higher-maintenance upholstery like linen or velvet. These materials may require more frequent cleaning and may be too delicate for high-traffic spaces.

Tip!

Discover more sofa maintenance tips in our Cleaning 101 guides: How to Clean a Sofa and How to Clean a Leather Sofa

4. Determine Your Budget

When deciding which sofa to purchase, it’s important to establish a budget and consider the cost of each material. While high-end materials like leather, velvet, and linen are typically more expensive, sofas made of chenille, corduroy, and microfiber offer stylish alternatives at budget-friendly prices. If you sit on your sofa often, it can be a worthwhile investment for long-lasting quality and comfort.

Tip!

Need help deciding between different fabrics? Select a sofa with free fabric samples available so you can compare a few swatches and see how they look and feel in your space.

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