By Beth Larson,
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Reupholstering an old piece of
furniture is a great way to update it and help it to match with your decor. One of the most fun parts of upholstering is choosing the fabric. There are many different types of
upholstery fabrics available to choose from. Here the benefits and downsides of some of the most popular
upholstery fabrics to help make your decision easier and to be sure that you get a
fabric that is perfect for your room.
LeatherAlthough leather is more expensive than other types of
upholstery fabric it is extremely durable and can last for years. It also brings a certain elegance to a piece of
furniture and helps it to look upscale and classic. Leather is one of the most popular choices in
upholstery fabric because of its durability and simply because it looks beautiful.
Vinyl Although vinyl
upholstery fabric may seem like a good alternative to leather, it actually can be quite uncomfortable to sit on. Not only that but over time it has a tendency to crack as it ages which means it won't last nearly as long as many other types of upholstery fabric. The main benefit of choosing vinyl for your
upholstery fabric is that it is easy to clean; however the uncomfortable texture and relatively short lifetime should be considered before choosing vinyl for your furniture.
LinenLinen is probably not the best choice for
upholstery fabric for most people. Linen wrinkles easily and also takes a lot of care to help keep it clean. The fibers in linen can have a tendency to stretch which means it will also require extra care to help keep its shape. When it comes to
upholstery fabric there are much better choices than linen.
Denim or Heavy Cotton Fabric
Denim or heavy cotton fabrics are a great choice for upholstering a piece of furniture. Cotton fibers are durable and tough and stand up well to most types of cleaning solutions and to every day wear and tear. Look for cotton
fabric or denim that is color fast for ease of cleaning. After you've upholstered the
furniture consider treating the
fabric with a stain resistant spray to help protect it.