When selecting a fabric ask yourself these 2 questions:
- What room is this piece going into?
- What colour, texture or pattern do I envision in the space?
Typically, but not always, the softer the feel and more luxurious the look the more expensive a fabric can be. Natural fibers (such as velvet, silk, wool and linen) have an inherent beauty to them and they often cost more money to manufacture due to the availability of the natural resource and the delicacy of working with certain fibers. Even though natural fibers can cost more, they can also in some circumstances break down faster over time because they are a natural fiber. These fibers can be more susceptible to sun damage and abrasion than a synthetic fiber.
Synthetic fibers are man-made and for upholstery fabrics are most often polyester. Although synthetic fibers are more easily manufactured, are more durable in most fabric constructions and are more cost effective they don’t always look and feel as nice as a natural fiber.
As you move higher in the fabric grades, you will begin to notice the presence of more natural fibers or fabrics with some natural fiber content (for example, 35% linen, 65% polyester). The best way to make your initial selection on upholstery fabrics is to narrow down the look and feel you like.