Article: From Velvet to Linen: A Guide to Popular Upholstery Fabric Types and Their Pros & Cons
From Velvet to Linen: A Guide to Popular Upholstery Fabric Types and Their Pros & Cons
From Velvet to Linen: A Guide to Popular Upholstery Fabric Types and Their Pros & Cons
Choosing upholstery fabric is one of the most defining decisions in interior design. Beyond pattern or colour, it’s the material itself — its feel, movement, and performance — that shapes how a room looks and lives. At Saint and Poet, we believe fabric isn’t just decoration; it’s design at its most tactile and emotional.
Whether you’re drawn to the refined lustre of velvet upholstery fabric, the understated charm of linen, or the timeless texture of woven blends, understanding the character and performance of each type will help you select the right fabric for your home — beautifully and confidently.
Velvet Upholstery Fabric: Opulence with Depth
Velvet has long been a symbol of luxury, but in modern interiors, it’s just as much about depth and comfort as glamour. With its short, dense pile and light-reflective surface, velvet brings warmth, movement, and richness to furniture — transforming even simple shapes into sculptural statements.
Our Kintsu Velvet Upholstery Fabric Collection showcases this beautifully. Designed to embody artistic imperfection and expressive tactility, Kintsu balances contemporary design with classic softness. What’s more, it’s available in both velvet and linen versions, offering a rare opportunity to explore the same design in two completely different materials — one rich and dimensional, the other textural and organic.
Pros of Velvet:
Luxurious sheen and touch
Excellent drape and colour depth
Long-lasting when used on quality basecloths
Cons of Velvet:
Shows pressure marks (the pile can flatten over time)
Needs gentle vacuuming and careful cleaning
Less breathable than natural weaves
For those seeking a sustainable alternative, our Portafino Recycled Velvet Upholstery Fabric Collection combines eco-conscious innovation with sumptuous texture. Made from 100% recycled polyester, it offers the same plush aesthetic with a more practical, durable twist — ideal for busy homes that still want an indulgent feel.
Linen Upholstery Fabric: Effortless Sophistication
Linen has an appeal that’s eternal. It feels grounded and authentic, bringing a relaxed sophistication that suits both contemporary and traditional interiors. As a natural fibre, linen’s slight slub and matte surface give it a painterly texture — one that pairs effortlessly with Saint and Poet’s abstract and nature-inspired designs.
Linen is especially beautiful for achieving a sense of calm, texture, and light diffusion. While velvet absorbs and reflects light, linen refracts it softly, lending rooms an understated, breathable charm.
Pros of Linen:
Breathable, natural, and sustainable
Beautiful matte texture that complements colour and print
Ideal for achieving relaxed, organic elegance
Cons of Linen:
Can crease or wrinkle more easily
May require specialist treatment for heavy use areas
To see linen’s quiet luxury in action, explore our Palermo Plain Weave Upholstery Fabric Collection. With its soft blend of cotton, linen, and viscose, Palermo offers a tactile midweight weave that’s as practical as it is beautiful — ideal for upholstery, curtains, and cushions alike.
Blended Upholstery Fabrics: The Best of Both Worlds
Modern fabric technology means you no longer have to choose between softness and strength. Blended basecloths — like those used across Saint and Poet’s printed ranges — combine the natural texture of linen and cotton with the durability of man-made fibres, creating fabrics that perform beautifully while retaining their artistic integrity.
Our fabrics, including those in the All Upholstery Fabric Collection, are digitally printed in the UK on a versatile 47% linen, 40% cotton, and 13% nylon blend — a composition designed for everyday use with enduring quality. This mix ensures each design has a painterly surface character and a supple, soft handle, while maintaining strong resistance to wear and fading.
Understanding Fabric Composition and Performance
The balance of materials in a fabric determines everything from its hand-feel to its longevity. If you’d like to explore this in more depth, our guide Understanding Fabric Composition: Linen, Cotton, and Blends Explained dives into how each fibre behaves and how blends can achieve the perfect balance between performance and beauty.
When selecting fabric, also consider Martindale rub counts (which measure durability) and pilling and lightfastness grades, which help you understand how a fabric will perform in different settings. Saint and Poet’s upholstery fabrics consistently achieve high ratings across all categories, ensuring both comfort and longevity.
Velvet or Linen — Which Is Right for You?
If you want warmth, drama, and indulgence — choose velvet. It thrives in intimate spaces such as reading corners, bedrooms, or accent chairs where texture and tone take centre stage.
If you prefer a light, breathable, and relaxed aesthetic — linen is your ally. It’s ideal for bright living spaces, open-plan rooms, and anywhere you want to feel connected to nature.
Of course, many homes find joy in both. Mixing materials — say, a linen sofa paired with velvet cushions — introduces depth and contrast that feels curated and contemporary. It’s a design technique that bridges comfort and creativity effortlessly.
In Summary
Fabric choice is a tactile form of storytelling. Whether you fall for the shimmer of velvet or the quiet beauty of linen, the right material brings your interior vision to life. By understanding each type’s personality and performance, you can make choices that are not only beautiful but also enduring.
At Saint and Poet, every fabric is created with the designer’s eye and the maker’s hand in mind — made to express individuality, inspire emotion, and last a lifetime.
