CHOOSING A SUITABLE FABRICS FOR YOUR SOFA

Choosing a fabric for the sofa is a little more taxing than choosing a new dress at the shop.  You are not able to try it out in the fitting room. With so many available choices these days, it can be pretty overwhelming; especially when u are only given some sample swatches to look at.

 

So I hope these tips will help “ease the pains”and make your selection a breeze..

 

100% Natural fibres  or Synthetic Fabrics

With our hot and humid weather here in Singapore, cotton definitely provides a cool respite and is one of our more popular choice here.  However, cotton being cotton is also very absorbent and are prone to creases and shrinkage.  If you are using it for a removable covers and plan on washing it often, I will advise making it a size bigger to allows shrinkage. Being absorbent also means absorbing all stains quickly!  So preferably choose one that is treated with some kind of stain protector.

Linen and silk are more delicate and I will not recommend it for sofa with heavy use.

Synthetic fabrics are man made to imitate natural fibres but with better resistance and quality. The various types of  synthetic fabrics commonly found are polyester, nylon, acrylic and olefin. They are often blend to create a more durable and upholstery resistant fabric that is suitable for everyday use.  Consider one that is blend with natural fibres if you are opting for a cooler effect.

 

Martindale Tests & Double Rub Test

These are  rub tests used to measure the durability of a fabric.  During the test,  the fabrics are vigorously rubs to simulate everyday wear. Test ends when fabric starts to tear or split and the results are given in number of cycles it take to break the yarn.  You can easily find fabrics boasting a very impressive 50000 and above rubs.  But unless you have an army marching through your living room everyday, a 20000 to 25000 rubs are more than sufficient for home use.

 

Colour and Texture

Neutral colours are always a safe option. It easily blends with the other elements in the room. These are especially true in the larger sofas and sectionals. You can easily accessorised with pillows and throws in various prints and colours. However for smaller pieces like chairs and ottoman, you may consider something with prints or brighter colours to liven up the room.

Just a note when you are reupholstering - a big change of colour is refreshing but it can also be quite overwhelming.  On quite a few occasions I have clients telling me that they were “shocked” when they get their sofa back because they are so used to the previous colour. But in most cases, they get over it after a few days and welcome the change.  So unless you are the more adventurous ones, I recommend only a subtle change in texture and colour.

 

A note to consider here is also colour fastness. Avoid darker fabrics if your sofa is near a bright window and  is constantly exposed to indirect sunlight. Especially so if you are looking at natural fabrics. It will fades and partial fading is most unsightly.


I could go on and bored you with more things to consider. But it really isn't that difficult. Remember the more you see the more confusing you get. So think about the colour scheme and type of fabrics you are after and zoom in on those selections. 


And as I often tell my clients, fabrics in a showroom may looks good but does it look right in your house? So best to get the samples  home so that you have a better feel of how it looks in your house.  That's one of the main reason for arranging a home visit with me! 


 

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