Does your living room sofa look old and worn but you don’t want to replace it? How about replacing its upholstery? Upholstery fabric is one of the easiest ways to revive it. Not to mention that buying regular upholstery fabrics costs a lot less than buying a brand-new piece of furniture.

However, with the wide variety of options available in today’s market, many people struggle with choosing the right fabric to upholster the furniture in their homes. In case you too are having trouble finding the perfect upholstery material for your furniture, we’ve compiled a list of pros and cons of common upholstery fabrics that might work for you.

LEATHER UPHOLSTERY:

Leather is usually the first choice when it comes to choosing the most durable sofa fabric. Available in various shades of black and brown, it is a widely used natural material that is synonymous with luxury, style, and elegance. Not to mention, leather upholstered furniture easily matches any theme, making it the perfect choice for those who like to change their home every few years.

Advantages and disadvantages of leather upholstery fabric:

Advantages: The leather does not absorb liquids, which means that you can easily clean it by wiping the surface with a soft cloth. Leather upholstered furniture is durable, easy to maintain, and will last for several years. Because it doesn’t get dirty easily, this common upholstery fabric is a smart choice for those with small children and pets at home. It is suitable for demanding use and can be placed anywhere inside the house, whether in a living room, bedroom, or salon. If needed, you can buff or polish it at home to bring back the shine

Disadvantages: Leather is a relatively rigid material. Therefore, it may not be as comfortable as many other upholstery fabrics. It is usually tanned through a series of chemical processes and thus can become brittle and crack when exposed to harsh weather conditions. The material can easily be damaged by a sharp object such as scissors or even a pen tip. Quality leather upholstered furniture is generally very expensive

POLYESTER upholstery:

Polyester is considered one of the best upholstery fabrics due to its soft texture, durability, as well as a wide range of colors and patterns. It is a popular synthetic material commonly used for upholstery in luxury and classy homes.

It is usually mixed with other natural or synthetic fabrics when used for upholstery. Polyester is also a durable material, which makes it the best fabric for sofa upholstery in households with a large number of members.

Advantages and disadvantages of polyester upholstery fabric:

Advantages: Polyester is one of the most durable upholstery materials. It will last you several years. The material is soft to the touch, which makes it comfortable to use on upholstery. Polyester upholstered furniture is easy to clean in case of liquid spills. This fabric is also relatively more resistant to stains. It does not absorb odors and dries very quickly after washing

Disadvantages: Polyester upholstery can be flammable. It is particularly sensitive to harsh weather conditions and heat. Polyester fabric is not very environmentally friendly. This material tends to absorb sweat and body oils.