Best Fabric for Sofas and upholstery: Top Choices Compared

The best fabrics for sofas and upholstery are velvet, jacquard and canvas. The right choice depends on the look you want, the season and how much care you can give it. This guide explains the options and what to watch for.

Top fabrics for sofas and upholstery

Velvet: Rich, deep colour and a soft pile that feels luxurious. Keep in mind: warm, needs dry-cleaning, and the pile must be cut in one direction. See our velvet or the velvet guide.
Jacquard: Woven-in patterns give body, texture and a rich look. Keep in mind: heavier and pricier, and may need lining. See our jacquard or the jacquard guide.
Canvas: Tough and hard-wearing, made to hold its shape. Keep in mind: stiff, and not for flowing garments. See our canvas or the canvas guide.
Corduroy: Warm ribbed pile that is durable and casual. Keep in mind: heavy, and the pile needs one-way cutting. See our corduroy or the corduroy guide.
Tweed: Textured, structured and warm with a classic look. Keep in mind: heavy and scratchy, so line the garment. See our tweed or the tweed guide.
Brocade: Raised, often metallic patterns for festive and traditional looks. Keep in mind: stiff and heavy, so use it for structured pieces. See our brocade or the brocade guide.

How to choose fabric for sofas and upholstery

Upholstery needs strength and abrasion resistance. Velvet, jacquard and canvas are common, and tight weaves wear best.

What to avoid

Delicate fabrics such as chiffon or satin will not survive daily use.

Which fabric for which season?

Heavy fabrics suit all year, and velvet feels warmer in winter. For hot weather, the best picks for sofas and upholstery are jacquard, cotton, canvas. For cold weather, try velvet, jacquard, corduroy.

Find sofas and upholstery fabric in stock

Use our fabric finder to filter by season, look and budget and see what we have in stock. You can also match a shade with the colour finder, or work out quantity with the fabric calculator.