Article: Upholstery Fabric by the Metre: Ordering Guide
Upholstery Fabric by the Metre: Ordering Guide
To order upholstery fabric by the metre, start by choosing samples, checking colour and texture in your room, estimating the fabric quantity, allowing extra for pattern repeat and asking your upholsterer to confirm the final amount before you buy.
This guide brings together the key steps so you can order fabric confidently for chairs, sofas, headboards, footstools and other upholstery projects. It is especially useful when buying luxury designer upholstery fabric online, where colour, scale and metreage need to be checked before cutting begins.
Quick answer: how do you order upholstery fabric by the metre?
Order upholstery fabric by the metre by choosing samples first, confirming the fabric is suitable for the furniture, checking pattern repeat, estimating quantity and asking your upholsterer to confirm final metreage. Then order enough fabric from the same order to cover the whole project, including extra for pattern placement, piping or future repairs.
Ordering checklist
| Step | What to do | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Choose samples | Compare colour, texture and pattern scale in your room. | Screen colour is never enough for upholstery decisions. |
| 2. Check suitability | Confirm the fabric is upholstery-suitable and durable enough. | Furniture needs fabric that can handle use and abrasion. |
| 3. Measure furniture | Estimate the fabric quantity for each section. | Different furniture shapes need very different metreage. |
| 4. Check pattern repeat | Allow extra for large motifs, matching and placement. | Patterned fabric often needs more than a plain fabric. |
| 5. Confirm with upholsterer | Ask for the final metre amount before ordering. | The upholsterer knows the frame, cutting plan and waste allowance. |
| 6. Order fabric | Buy enough fabric from the same order. | This helps avoid shortage or batch variation issues. |
Why samples come first
Samples help you avoid expensive mistakes. They show whether the colour works in your room, whether the texture feels right and whether the pattern scale suits the furniture. This matters even more with bold, floral, abstract, velvet or multicoloured upholstery fabrics.
Place samples against flooring, wall colour, curtains, cushions and wood finishes. Check them in daylight and evening light. If the fabric is patterned, also look at product images so you understand the full repeat, not just the part shown on the sample.
How much upholstery fabric should you order?
Exact metreage depends on the furniture size, arms, cushions, pattern repeat, piping, skirts and whether the fabric has a directional design. The figures below are only general starting points. Always ask your upholsterer to confirm before ordering.
| Furniture | Approximate starting point | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Dining chair seat | Around 1 metre per chair | Backs, piping and repeat can increase this. |
| Footstool | Around 1-3 metres | Large ottomans, deep sides and skirts need more. |
| Headboard | Around 3-5 metres | Height, width, padding and covered backs affect quantity. |
| Armchair | Around 6-8 metres | Wingbacks, skirts and patterned fabric may need more. |
| Two-seater sofa | Around 10-12 metres | Depends heavily on cushion style and frame shape. |
| Three-seater sofa | Around 12-15 metres | Large repeats and matching can increase the amount. |
Allowing for pattern repeat
Pattern repeat is one of the main reasons to order extra fabric. A plain fabric can usually be cut more flexibly. A large floral, abstract, bird or striped upholstery fabric may need careful placement so the finished furniture looks intentional.
If the motif matters, ask your upholsterer whether extra metres are needed for matching. This is especially important on sofas, pairs of chairs, headboards and dining chair sets where repeated pattern placement will be visible.
Should you order extra fabric?
Yes, in many cases. Extra fabric can help with pattern matching, piping, mistakes, future repairs or replacement cushion panels. The amount of extra fabric depends on the project and should be guided by your upholsterer.
It is often better to order a little more than to run short, especially with designer upholstery fabric where a future order may not be from the same batch or may no longer be available.
Check treatment before ordering
If the furniture will be used heavily, stain-resistant treatment may be useful. For hospitality, commercial or contract projects, fire-retardant or Crib5 treatment may be required. Confirm this before ordering fabric by the metre, because treatment decisions need to happen before the fabric is cut and upholstered.
Common ordering mistakes
- Ordering metres before seeing samples.
- Forgetting to allow for pattern repeat.
- Using online estimates instead of asking the upholsterer.
- Choosing fabric based only on colour, without checking durability.
- Leaving treatment requirements until after fabric has been ordered.
- Ordering exactly the estimated amount with no allowance for matching or errors.
Where to browse next
Browse luxury upholstery fabric by the metre, best sellers, our fabric sample guidance, measuring guide and fabric treatment options.
FAQs
Can I order upholstery fabric by the metre online?
Yes. Order samples first, then buy metres once you have confirmed colour, texture, scale and quantity.
Should I order extra fabric?
Yes, especially for pattern matching, large repeats, piping, mistakes or future repairs.
Can I order fabric before speaking to an upholsterer?
You can estimate, but for larger pieces it is best to ask your upholsterer to confirm the final quantity before buying.
Does patterned upholstery fabric need more metres?
Often, yes. Pattern repeat and motif placement can increase the amount needed.