Choose Your Fabrics
Materials & Fabrics
Choosing the Right Upholstery Fabric
The fabric or leather you choose will define how your furniture looks, feels and wears for years to come. I'll help you pick the right material for your piece, your room, and how it gets used. Here's what to think about:
- Durability - A family sofa used daily needs a hard-wearing weave (30,000+ rub count). A bedroom chair can afford something more delicate.
- Pets and children - Tight weaves and performance fabrics resist claws and spills. Avoid loose weaves and velvet if you have cats.
- Light and fading - South-facing rooms need UV-resistant fabrics. Some dyes fade faster than others.
- Style and texture - Linen gives a relaxed look, velvet adds richness, leather develops character over time.
- Cleaning - Leather wipes clean. Some fabrics are treated for stain resistance. Others need professional cleaning.
I work with some of the finest fabric and leather suppliers in the UK. Have a browse through their collections before your consultation. If you find something you like, let me know and I can source samples for you to see and feel in person.
Clarke and Clarke
One of the UK's most respected fabric houses, offering a wide range of printed and plain fabrics for domestic upholstery. From contemporary bold prints to timeless neutral weaves, their collections cover every style.
Browse their collectionCrest Leather
Quality leather hides for furniture and commercial projects. Crest supply a range of finishes from smooth contemporary leathers to rich, natural grain hides that develop character over time.
Browse their collectionFutura Leathers
Premium leather collections with both contemporary and traditional finishes. Futura offer leathers suited to everything from modern minimalist furniture to classic period restoration.
Browse their collectionYarwood Leather
A British leather manufacturer producing both contract and domestic leathers. Yarwood are known for their durability and are a popular choice for commercial projects where the leather needs to perform under heavy use.
Browse their collection
Not sure where to start?
Leather vs Fabric
Read more about leather reupholstery or browse examples in the gallery.
Choosing between leather and fabric depends on how the furniture will be used, where it will live, and what look you're going for. Leather develops character over time and is easy to clean, making it ideal for busy households and commercial spaces. Fabric offers a wider range of colours, textures and patterns, and can feel warmer and softer.
There's no wrong answer. I'm happy to talk through the options and help you find the right material for your project and budget. Bring me a photo of the piece and the room it lives in, and we'll work it out together.