There comes a time in the life of every piece of furniture for it to be reupholstered. This may be due to necessity because of wear and tear, or simply because it is time for a change of style.
There are hundreds of different options for those looking to reupholster their furniture, from everyday brands to upmarket fabrics. However, designer upholstery fabrics are becoming more and more affordable for those wanting to add an additional ikat cushions touch of class to their home.
Now available from several specialist online retailers, designer upholstery fabrics are more widely accessible than in the not-so-distant past, when they were only for sale on the high street. Many of these specialist online retailers offer a huge choice of fabrics, meaning there is something for everyone, within every budget.
Many retailers also recommend spending a little extra for a higher quality fabric. Although snagging a bargain can be appealing, upholstery generally gets a lot of everyday use. It can be said that upmarket brands tend to use better quality fabrics during their manufacturing process, meaning that often their upholstery is more durable and resistant to the daily demands placed on it.
When looking to purchase from a selection of designer upholstery fabrics, it is worth considering a few things before you buy. These factors will help you make the right choice for you and your home.
Firstly, consider who will be using your upholstered furniture. If you have pets that use your sofa, you might consider investing in more hard-wearing materials. These include leather and micro-fibre fabrics. These are tough enough to stand up to the paws and claws of animals, and can allow easy cleaning.
If you are going for a patterned look, another more durable option is a woven fabric. Compared to printed patterns, they tend to resist heavier use, meaning that patterns will fade less quickly and that you can enjoy your designer upholstery fabric for longer. Higher thread counts and tighter weaves are also recommended if you are looking for more resistant fabrics.
Another important consideration before you invest in designer upholstery fabrics is the style that you are looking for. It seems obvious that the style should match the feel of your home, but a common oversight is the fact that the ideal fabric will match the style of the piece of furniture too.
This can mean choosing a more traditional fabric to upholster a classic piece of furniture, or investing in a modern fabric for your contemporary furniture. If the style of the fabric corresponds with the respective furniture, it is likely to give a stylish and elegant effect. On the other hand, it is possible to mismatch fabrics and furniture styles for a striking and eccentric look, if this is your intention.
Designer upholstery fabrics come in a variety of colours as well as patterns, and these can have a huge impact on the look of your furniture. If you intend to stick with this choice of upholstery for a long time, be sure that the colour is one that you are comfortable with seeing day-in and day-out.