Furniture upholstery fabrics are the power players in an interior design scheme. It goes without saying that they’re instrumental in influencing the character, colour, pattern and decorative artistry of a room, but they are also bestowed with crucial technical properties that will keep furniture looking good and wearing well for the long term.
Ask a professional upholsterer’s advice and they’ll recommend that you invest in quality upholstery fabrics for upgrading and refreshing soft furnishings.
‘Reupholstering an item of furniture is a great way to have a more sustainable home, but to get the longevity that you want from your upholstery project you want to ensure you pick a fabric that is suitable for the item’s usage and habitat. A rub count will measure the durability of a fabric by testing how well it can withstand friction and rubbing,’ says Hannah Rice, owner of reupholstery specialist Franklin & Hare.
Here we take an in-depth look at why durability matters for upholstery on new furniture and old. Plus introduce you to the big hitters in Linwood’s collection of durable textiles that will not only take the aesthetic appeal of your project to the next level but will withstand the test of time and be kind on your pocket in the long run.
Why durability matters in upholstery fabrics
Durable fabric is quite simply one that is long lasting. How robust it is, comes down to the fibre it is made from, how it is woven and its finish. We all know that statement upholstery fabrics are an investment. That’s why it's important to choose one that has been quality tested for wear and tear. The upholstery industry uses an internationally recognised measurement called the Martindale Rub Test to determine how hardwearing a textile is and thus the best usage for it.
A Martindale rating of 10,000-15,000 is good for light wear in a domestic setting; 15,000-20,000 medium wear; 25,000-30,000 for heavy wear in high traffic areas. A Martindale score of 50,000 to 100,000, is deemed tough enough for any home or commercial setting and promises outstanding endurance. ‘The Martindale test result is the number of times a piece can be rubbed before the last thread is broken, so having something with 60,000 rather than 20,000 means it will last three times as long,’ explains Emma Harris of Emma Harris Upholstery.
When you are choosing fabric for furniture upholstery – regardless of whether it’s residential or contract – look at the small print to see where it sits on the Martindale scale. ‘We always check with our customer what the item is going to be used for and where the item is going to live. If the item is in a high traffic area getting a lot of use, we would recommend a higher rub count (30,000 rubs minimum), whereas if the item is being used for more of a decorative purpose with not much usage this can widen your search to fabrics with a lower rub count (15,000 rubs),’ adds Hannah Rice. Make time to also check the Fire Retardant (FR) Rating and After Care instructions of the textile so that you can be sure that it is safe and functional for usage.
The top durable upholstery fabrics
We all live hectic lives so it pays to seek out the higher rub counts for sofas, armchairs, dining chairs, bench seating and even headboards. Here we highlight upholstery fabrics known for their durability and suitability for heavy-duty use. They’re guaranteed to bring new life to furniture… beautifully.
Luxe neutral weave: ‘Orta’
Orta is a heavyweight tumbled linen that ticks all the boxes for its all-round adaptability in soft furnishing projects. In a palette of 16 usable and grounding tones that move from Chalk to Ochre, and from Denim and Charcoal, this slubby fabric is the backbone of any living space. Thanks to its blended woven composition of 43% linen, 51% viscose and 6% polyester, it hits the high spot for durability with a 100,000 Martindale Rub Test. That means it can stand the wear and tear of heavy domestic use on fixed and loose covers for sofas and armchairs, while feeling soft and refined to the touch. ‘If you want a plain linen but know the item is going to be placed in a high traffic area, consider getting a higher rub count. Loose covers can also be a great way to cost effectively and sustainably revamp an item of furniture, with the possible option of getting them dry cleaned (depending on the fabric),’ says Hannah Rice.
Eco velvet: ‘Omega III’
Omega III velvets are like no other. Made with 60% recycled polyester (a big win for the environment) and with a mighty Martindale Rub Test of 100,000, the heart stopping 74 plains are in a class of their own. ‘I could wax lyrical about this fabric, as it’s hard wearing, inherently fire retardant (the FR is woven into the fabric rather than a sticky film on the back), which makes it pliable rather than the stiffness some FR velvets have,’ says Emma Harris. ‘It’s highly durable, stain resistant and, as it is a polyester velvet, it doesn’t bruise like some cotton velvets can. Not only that it’s washable at 30 degrees which is almost unheard of for velvets.’
Semi-plain woven fabric: ‘Freya’
Freya is one of those unsung furniture upholstery heroes that everyone needs to know about for busy settings. A semi-plain weave with a satisfying tweed-like appearance, this is the one to reach for when you’re in need of a high-functioning fabric for everyday spaces, such as a bustling hallway, a home working office or a formal dining room. Made from 19% wool, 30% linen, 15% cotton, 12% viscose, 19% polyester and 5% nylon, this blend epitomises discerning taste with a practical edge thanks to its 100,000+ Martindale Rub Test rating and dry clean care. In 21 easy-to-live-with colours ranging from Granite to Cornflower and from Berry to Biscuit.
Printed velvet: ‘Wild Life’
Highly decorative printed velvets aren’t always known for their durability but that’s not the case with the Wild Life collection. Known for its bohemian designs of flora, fauna and faraway lands, this reupholstery range includes 100% cotton as well as polyester rich compositions with rub counts of between 30,000-100,000 so you can choose what works for your home and your lifestyle. These styles sit beautifully on reupholstered sofas, character armchairs, snazzy bar stools and opulent headboards, transforming a simple silhouette into a storytelling masterpiece. ‘One very important factor when choosing fabric is that you love it,’ says Emma Harris. ‘Occasional chairs can be fabulous accent pieces which can totally lift a room, and you can be a lot bolder on an occasional chair than you could be on a sofa for example. Choose something you love for a small piece and don’t be too safe.’
Luxurious plain velvet: ‘Tango II’
When it comes to Upholstery Fabric for Sofas, Linwood’s complement of Tango Velvet II plains is rich with sophisticated and on-trend colour. From Dusty Pink (shown) to Marigold, the luxurious texture sings with premium notes. The remarkable polyester and cotton blend feels soft to the touch, yet has an outstanding rub test of 100,000+, making it just right for high traffic seating. Choose to add seriously smart interior style to antique furniture, romantic loveseats and focal point ottomans or as a tailored loose cover for a high-back or club chair. Thanks to its clever composition it can cope with the occasional spill and can be machine washed at 30 degrees C.
Cut velvet fabric: ‘Cosmos’
If your heart is set on a subtle pattern with a luxe texture, then cut velvets are a glamorous go-to option for furniture upholstery. Created by brushing and fixing the velvet pile, these velvets are also good if you are concerned about bruising. ‘When choosing a fabric, it is important to consider its usage. If you have children and/or pets at home some velvets can bruise very easily, so you may want to consider getting a patterned fabric to help disguise wear and tear,’ advises Hannah Rice. Look to the Cosmos collection, a desirable selection of luxurious velvets and weaves with a subtle, understated air. Kari Prussian (shown) with its abstract branch design has a rub count of 100,000 making it highly usable in contract and domestic seating areas and also works seamlessly as a fabric for curtains.
Bouclé fabric: ‘Sienna’
Bouclé with its curled looped texture is the fabric of the moment thanks to its reassuring and cosy texture. The Sienna reupholstery collection in 26 inviting colours is the one to aim for if you like the idea of bringing a warm embrace to a range of upholstery pieces. From delightful neutrals to country-style moss green and classic ink blue, it works well on reupholstered family sofas, squishy lounge chairs or on curved contemporary shapes that need further softening. With a versatile composition of 44% viscose, 41% cotton, 9% linen and 6% nylon, this fabric has a heavy duty rub count of 100,000 for seating but also makes strokable curtains and cushions.
Plain woven fabric: ‘Lars’
Lars Plain is a collection of woven upholstery fabrics that speak of classic good looks – you literally can’t go wrong with them. With a cotton/linen mix at the heart of its DNA, this 100,000-rub count fabric is a must if you are after out-and-out elegance with a supple yet non-nonsense attitude. Worth highlighting is the 25-strong palette of colours that spans from pure Pearl (shown) to mouthwatering Watermelon and crisp Apple. It pairs perfectly with its sister in the range, Lars Geometric. Mix and match them across fixed upholstery and cushions. Aftercare is dry clean only.
Semi-plain woven fabric: ‘Vara’
New to the Linwood library is Vara. It looks and feels like linen but offers the resilience of a blend because of its hardy composition. This semi-plain woven upholstery fabric is the byword for refined simplicity whether used on modern shapes or antique furniture in need of a bit of love. Try it for communal seating, such as L-shaped sofas, or footstools where feet-up to watch the TV won’t spoil the look of your fabric, or on breakfast room seating. It's a Fire Retardant treated woven fabric collection with a rub count of 60,000 and comes in a heady range of modern and classic shades, including Horizon and Amberlite (shown).
We hope this roundup has given you a taste of Linwood’s top-performing fabrics for every upholstery need. Developed and designed with longevity and your budget in mind, they not only look and feel good, but are made with the highest level of sustainable practice. Head over to the website to explore the range further and if you have any questions, get in contact via our customer care team and showrooms who take great pleasure in serving customers and offering expert advice on reupholstery services.