Understanding Upholstery Fabric: A Complete Beginner’s Guide
Upholstery fabric is fabric made for covering furniture such as chairs, sofas, footstools, headboards and cushions. Unlike light decorative fabric, a good upholstery fabric needs to balance appearance with durability, handle, composition, rub count, pattern scale and care requirements.
If your project is window-led rather than furniture-led, compare suitable options in our curtain fabric by the metre collection.
If you are choosing upholstery fabric for the first time, start with the furniture itself: how often it will be used, where it will sit, whether it needs to handle pets or children, and what mood you want the room to have. This guide explains the key terms so you can compare fabrics with more confidence before ordering samples.
What is upholstery fabric?
Upholstery fabric is a textile suitable for furniture covering. It is usually stronger and more structured than dress fabric or lightweight curtain fabric because furniture is exposed to repeated sitting, movement, friction and cleaning. Upholstery fabrics can be plain, patterned, printed, woven, velvet, linen-rich, cotton-rich, synthetic or blended.
The best choice is not simply the prettiest fabric. It is the fabric that suits the piece of furniture, the level of use, the room, the desired finish and the practical needs of the project.
Upholstery fabric terms beginners should know
| Term | What it means | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Martindale rub count | A test that measures abrasion resistance. | Helps show whether a fabric is suitable for occasional, everyday or heavier use. |
| Composition | The fibres used in the fabric, such as linen, cotton, polyester or blends. | Affects handle, strength, texture, care and appearance. |
| Basecloth | The underlying cloth a design is printed onto. | Provides the fabric’s weight, feel, texture and upholstery suitability. |
| Pattern repeat | How often a pattern repeats across the fabric. | Important for matching motifs across cushions, backs and arms. |
| Fire-retardant treatment | A treatment used to meet fire safety requirements. | May be needed for commercial, hospitality or contract interiors. |
What types of upholstery fabric are available?
Linen and linen-blend upholstery fabric
Linen and linen-blend fabrics are valued for their natural texture, relaxed character and refined handle. They work especially well in interiors where you want a softer, more tactile finish with visible surface interest.
Velvet upholstery fabric
Velvet has a soft pile and rich depth of colour. It can make chairs, sofas and headboards feel luxurious, but it should be chosen with the right durability rating and care expectations for the project.
Printed upholstery fabric
Printed upholstery fabric starts with a finished basecloth, then the artwork is printed onto the surface. This allows more freedom for detailed pattern, painterly marks, fine linework, colour gradients and expressive designs. Read our guide to printed vs woven fabrics for a deeper comparison.
Plain and textured upholstery fabric
Plain and textured fabrics are useful when the room already has strong pattern elsewhere, or when you want the furniture shape and colour to feel calm and timeless. They also pair well with statement printed fabrics.
How durable should upholstery fabric be?
Durability depends on how the furniture will be used. A decorative bedroom chair does not need the same fabric performance as a family sofa, dining chair or hotel lounge chair. One of the most useful durability measures is the Martindale rub test.
As a practical guide, everyday upholstery often benefits from a higher rub count. Saint & Poet upholstery fabrics are tested to 35,000+ rubs, making them suitable for demanding residential interiors and many commercial upholstery projects. For more detail, read our Martindale rub test guide.
How to choose upholstery fabric for furniture
- Start with the furniture type. Sofas, armchairs, dining chairs, headboards and footstools all use fabric differently.
- Think about daily use. Busy homes, pets, children and commercial spaces need more practical choices.
- Check durability. Look at rub count, composition and whether treatments are needed.
- Consider pattern scale. Large motifs need enough furniture surface and extra fabric for placement.
- Order samples. Always check colour, texture and handle in your own light before buying metres.
Can upholstery fabric be used for curtains?
Sometimes, yes. Some upholstery fabrics can work beautifully for curtains and blinds, but you need to consider weight, drape, lining, pattern scale and how the fabric hangs. If you are comparing uses, read the difference between upholstery and curtain fabrics and our guide to using Saint & Poet fabrics for curtains and blinds.
Where to browse upholstery fabric
To start comparing designs, browse our luxury designer upholstery fabric by the metre. If you are choosing by colour, explore focused collections such as blue upholstery fabric, green upholstery fabric, teal upholstery fabric and floral upholstery fabric.
Upholstery fabric FAQs
What is the best fabric for upholstery?
The best upholstery fabric depends on the furniture, room and use level. For everyday seating, choose a fabric with suitable durability, composition, texture and care requirements, then order a sample before buying metres.
What is a good rub count for upholstery fabric?
For busy domestic seating, a strong rub count is useful. Saint & Poet upholstery fabrics are tested to 35,000+ rubs, which gives confidence for high-use home furniture and many commercial interiors.
Is printed fabric suitable for upholstery?
Yes, printed fabric can be suitable for upholstery when it is printed onto an appropriate upholstery basecloth and tested for furniture use.
Should I choose plain or patterned upholstery fabric?
Choose plain fabric when you want a quieter finish or already have strong pattern elsewhere. Choose patterned fabric when the furniture is intended to become a focal point or bring colour and character to the room.
Should I order fabric samples first?
Yes. Samples help you check colour, texture, scale and handle in your own lighting before committing to a full metre order.
