Upholstered furniture – how to choose a material and color that will look perfect?

Choosing a sofa for your living room requires some thought. Especially when you consider the vast number of models, different upholstery materials, colors, textures... It's not uncommon to get lost in all of this. This guide will help! If you're still wondering which upholstered piece of furniture will work best in your interior, check out our tips.

How to find your way through the jungle of textures and types of upholstered furniture?

When looking for the perfect upholstered furniture for a living room, bedroom, youth room or office, you should first consider the size and functionality of the model, and then take a closer look at the fabric that covers the sofa or corner sofa. It is worth answering a few questions:

• Do you like thick, very soft materials with a thick weave, or do you prefer perfectly smooth fabrics that are a bit thinner but at the same time extremely durable?
• Do you live with small children or pets?
• What budget do you have?

Natural leather: an elegant and durable material that adds a luxurious character to the interior

It is one of the most expensive and at the same time most elegant upholstery materials. It introduces an atmosphere of exclusivity to the interior. It fits perfectly into modern and classic interiors. It is highly resistant to damage, but requires proper care to maintain a flawless appearance for years. Leather upholstered furniture looks great and is extremely comfortable in everyday use. Natural leather, available in various color variants, is used to cover, among others, stylish sofas, large corner sofas, chairs and armchairs.

Natural fabrics: breathable and provide high comfort of use

Natural materials are leading in interiors. The fashion for eco, boho, farmhouse or japandi style is doing great and there is no sign that this will change. Cotton, linen and velour fabrics look great, are skin-friendly, and provide optimal air circulation. They correspond perfectly with current trends bathed in earthy colours – beige, cream, sandy yellow, brown, green or grey. They will work in almost every living room.

Synthetic fabrics: durable, easy to clean and abrasion resistant

Artificial upholstery materials offer a palette of various colors and textures. They are pleasant to the touch, safe in everyday use and ultra-durable. They perfectly imitate natural fabrics, including leather. Synthetic imitation leather is a practical alternative, which is why it is often chosen. Another advantage is its lower price. So if you are looking for lounge furniture resistant to damage and dirt, consider buying a model covered with a strong synthetic fabric.

Will upholstered furniture work in every arrangement?

It is hard to imagine a living room without lounge furniture. They add coziness to the interior, guarantee comfort for household members and guests. They will emphasize the style of the room. There is no denying that upholstered chairs or a corner sofa are a key element of the living area decor. A bed covered with soft material will work great in a bedroom or a teenager's room, and a swivel chair covered with high-quality fabric will provide comfort in an office. So we can safely say that upholstered furniture will be useful in every apartment - regardless of the size or type of arrangement.

A timeless sofa, such as the BERGI model, will complement the decor of a modern and classic living room. It has decorative pillows, subtly curved armrests and a container for bedding. When unfolded, it offers a comfortable sleeping surface measuring 138x192 cm. Black, high legs and fashionable colors make the sofa look extremely elegant. It does not take up much space, so it will work well in a small living room. The smooth Tiffany velvet fabric has a subtle shine. It is pleasant to the touch and at the same time resistant to abrasion. Are you looking for a universal sofa with a timeless design? Discover the models from the BERGI collection.

Upholstered chairs – unlimited composition possibilities

The dining room is a place to meet with loved ones. This is where we celebrate, eat meals, and sometimes work. Upholstered chairs are essential if we want to sit comfortably for a long time. Models with a soft seat will therefore be a perfect hit. You can choose a classic piece of furniture or one that stands out with its modern design. An example of the latter is the ergonomic DK28 chair made of beech wood painted black. The upholstered seat and backrest in a shade of off-white will wonderfully complement the monochromatic arrangement of the dining corner. It will be an ideal solution for a modern apartment bathed in subdued colors.

Combine different chair models at one table. This solution looks very interesting. It allows you to change the decor of the room in a few moments. Are you looking for elegant equipment for a classic dining room? Choose a wooden chair with a gray seat, for example DK51 in walnut color. A characteristic feature of this piece of furniture is the cross backrest made of beech wood. Both models mentioned above will wonderfully emphasize the eclectic nature of the arrangement.

Upholstered bed – an ally for evening rest

Textiles play a special role in the bedroom. They envelop with their softness, provide warmth and promote relaxation. Various textures, thick weaves, smooth surfaces, gloss or matte create the atmosphere of the interior. One of the coziest solutions for the bedroom area are upholstered beds with a high headboard. Manufacturers of this type of furniture are happy to reach for velour or velvet upholstery fabrics, additionally decorated with spectacular stitching or subtle quilting. A soft headboard allows you to relax in a sitting or half-sitting position - watch your favorite series, read a book, eat breakfast in bed.

One of the proposals of the Furnitop.co.uk store is the modern continental model ABERT covered with elegant Magic velvet material. The furniture, in addition to a high headboard, has an integrated bonell mattress, a thinner topper, and two large bedding containers. Available in all standard sizes, it will facilitate the arrangement of a large double bedroom, as well as a small youth room.

Velvet material has many advantages:

• it is easy to clean (regular vacuuming is enough)
• it is very soft and at the same time durable
• looks like velvet, shines slightly
• it is exceptionally flexible, which makes it ideal for upholstering furniture (including non-standard shapes)
• will perfectly complement the exclusive arrangement.

In the living room, which also serves as a bedroom, an upholstered sofa bed with storage for bedding will work perfectly. The modern DONNA model on high wooden legs will be an interesting solution. It will fit into Scandinavian, Japandi decor, but not only. It will find application in projects maintained in the loft and eclectic spirit. The back cushions are decorated with stitching. The subtly shimmering Kronos fabric is available in many color variants. Soft plush with dense bristles, which are laid down after "running" your hand over the surface.

How to choose the right material for upholstered furniture?

Furniture upholstery is used quite a lot every day, so it is worth considering carefully the choice of lounge furniture. Chenille, jacquards, plush, braids, imitation leather, natural leather and other materials will work great in home conditions, but they should be properly cared for and cleaned regularly.

However, when it comes to the character of the interior and the aesthetic value of the furniture, the key role will be played by the color of the upholstery. It should harmoniously match the arrangement room. You can also use a distinctive shade of a sofa as a contrast, for example a green corner sofa, a red upholstered armchair or a navy blue chaise longue against a background of white walls and furniture.

Family with children or pets: easy-to-clean fabrics

Parents and pet owners go to great lengths every day to keep the living room sofa relatively tidy. This is no easy task, but with the help of properly selected furniture, you can reduce the risk of damaging the upholstery fabric to a minimum. Synthetic and velour materials will do the trick perfectly here. For example, the Estetiv line not only has high stain resistance, but also copes with spilled liquid and moisture. Soiling from juice or dog paws will not be a problem, because you can easily remove them, leaving the surface of the furniture spotlessly clean.

So if you live with a small child or have an unruly pet that likes to lounge on the sofa for hours, opt for a comfortable rest covered with a strong material in shades of beige, gray, brown, black, navy blue or green. Rather, give up white or very light upholstery. One of the most practical solutions for families with children is the Monolith fabric with hydrophobic properties (it does not absorb liquids).

Also remember that regular cleaning of upholstered furniture will keep it in good condition for many years. Do not delay removing stains. Regardless of the type of material, feel free to reach for a vacuum cleaner with a soft bristle attachment and a damp cloth. Avoid strong detergents and excess water (soaking may result in unsightly streaks).

Budget - prices of upholstery materials vary depending on type and quality

The type of upholstery material affects the final price of the lounge furniture. The most expensive is natural leather, which has been associated with luxurious interiors for years. Velvet, velvet, plush, and corduroy, which has been fashionable in the last season, are much cheaper. A corduroy sofa or armchair will fit perfectly into a modern, as well as classic, retro and vintage interior (one of our store's proposals is the KASTEL model from the GIB collection).

A velvet sofa, such as the CRISTAL model, is an example of an inexpensive piece of furniture with a great design. It will fit into a modern interior, adding character to it. The sofa is foldable and has adjustable headrests. It provides the highest comfort of rest.

Melange sofas made of chenille are also very popular – they are extremely resistant to pilling and abrasion. This is a relatively cheap material commonly used in the production of lounge furniture.

What interior style does upholstered furniture prefer – classic, modern or industrial?

Classic or modern upholstered furniture is an important element of home decor. Regardless of the style of the interior, it is wonderful to be able to comfortably stretch out on the couch after work or sit in an armchair with a cup of coffee. We can choose from plain, melange and patterned fabrics. A sofa with a floral pattern will add a girlish charm to the room, and a plant pattern will please the eye during evening relaxation. On the other hand, in a retro or vintage design, you can weave fabric in a timeless check.

Another hit of the last season are boucle textiles, resembling a fluffy lamb. Here we will encounter primarily creamy, light shades, which perfectly correspond with the rounded shapes of lounge furniture, such as the SIVENO model, covered with the multidimensional ABRIAMO material.

Whether in a raw loft or a cozy house decorated in the spirit of a farmhouse, furniture covered with excellent quality upholstery will introduce a homely atmosphere. Are you looking for the perfect rest for your living room? Are you looking for a stylish bedroom bed? Visit Furnitop.co.uk and get inspired!