Upholstery decides how a sofa feels, how it wears and how easy it is to keep clean. There is no single best choice: match it to your household.
Leather and faux leather
- Genuine leather is durable and wipes clean, softens with age and suits households with allergies. It can scratch, feels cool in winter and warm in summer, and fades in strong sun.
- Faux leather (PU) costs less and wipes clean, but it does not breathe like leather and can peel over time with heavy use.
Common fabrics
- Chenille: soft, tufted yarn with a slight sheen; comfortable and forgiving, though loops can snag on claws.
- Velvet: rich colour and a soft pile; tightly woven polyester velvets are more hard-wearing than they look, but the pile shows pressure marks.
- Bouclé: nubby, looped texture that hides minor marks; loops can catch on pet claws.
- Corduroy: ribbed and durable, with a relaxed look; the ribs can hold dust, so vacuum regularly.
- Linen and linen blends: breathable and casual; creases and can stain more easily unless treated.
- Performance fabrics: synthetic weaves treated or engineered to resist stains and moisture; a good choice with children and pets.
How to judge durability
If a fabric lists a rub count, around 15,000 double rubs (Wyzenbeek) or more is generally considered suitable for heavy everyday home use. Tight weaves wear better than loose ones, and darker or patterned fabrics hide wear.
Pets and children
Tightly woven fabrics without loops (microfibre, performance weaves, some velvets) or leather are the most practical. Avoid loose loops like bouclé if your pets scratch.
Whatever you choose, check the cleaning code first: see sofa care.