There is no definite answer and depends on the needs of specific households. With today’s wide choice of high quality furniture in modern furniture outlets it became much more complicate to make a final decision. On the market there are a bunch of different high quality fabrics that look as luxurious as leather does, and even more.

Sooner or later everyone will face a choice of upholstery of the sofa. Fabric or leather? Let's try to understand.

Types of fabric furniture upholsteries

Our furniture outlet offers a large selection of sofas with fabric upholstery. But not to make a mistake in the choice, you need to know that the fabrics are divided into: non-woven and woven.

Woven fabrics:

• chenille;

• velours;

• jacquard;

• tapestry.

Non-woven fabric:

• PVC

• PU

• polymers

Properties of different Fabric Upholsteries

Jacquard. This fabric can be smooth or bulky, single colored or of multiple colors. The density of thread weaving and its quality determine the strength of this kind of fabric.

Chenille is a sub-type of jacquard. It includes two types of threads - natural and synthetic. Compared to the jacquard, the shennill has a more "cozy" and fluffy look. This upholstery is very durable, does not deform, is easy to clean and very aesthetic. This type of fabric is cheaper than velor, and has a large selection of colors.

Velours is a pile knitted fabric. Often it is used for upholstering furniture that is complex in design. Velour is very pleasant to the touch, but it is not wear resistant. Velor is made from a mixture of natural and synthetic fibers.

Tapestry (Embroidered fabrics) - very dense canvas, used for sofa upholstery. It has a variety of relief and color palette. Very practical material, it is easy to look after, durable, resistant to mechanical influences.

Types of leather furniture upholsteries

Such upholsteries have long ceased to be a luxury item in elite homes, and now can occupy the same place in the house, as well as its fabric analogue.

If you have a cat in your house, then a leather sofa is not your option. Otherwise, the cat's claws leave indelible marks on your sofa.

How to choose a leather sofa?

1. Each type of leather is treated differently, so very expensive leather will not necessarily will be the most durable one;

2. Cost of a sofa may depend on country of manufacturer. European furniture will be much more expensive;

3. Amount of your expenses is directly proportional to the amount of type and quality of leather used for upholstery;

4. You can save on combining in one product, both natural leather and its substitutes. As a rule, side and back elements are made of artificial leather, to make final piece more affordable;

5. Well-established manufacturers select leathers in natural tone, this makes it possible to perceive the upholstery as an integral combination.

Also, special attention should be paid to the treatment of the leather. Dyed skin or pigmented have a large coat of paint, and are considered the most resistant to external factors. Aniline or semi aniline leathers have the lowest protective layer, while being recognized as the most pleasant to touch and natural. The skin with a covering from polymers, and also the varnished leathers have a glossy surface that does them are steady against wiping, but not resistant to scratches.

We sorted out the types of fabrics and the criteria in their choice. Now we need to move on to choosing a sofa, focusing on its purpose. If it is a sofa for a nursery - it should be as environmentally friendly as possible. Ideal fit will be Jacquard upholstery. It is the most refined. The sofa in the living room can be both fabric, with a high content of synthetic fibers, and leather.

Pros and Cons of each upholstery type

Pros:

• Easy cleaning and easy maintenance (except for light tones);

• Large range of textures, colors and designs;

• Low price;

• Good air permeability.

Cons:

• Not always practical enough;

• Low wear resistance;

• Burnout in direct sunlight.

Nevertheless, today, the range of upholstery fabrics is simply huge, and you need to take into account those or other characteristics when choosing a model. You can choose fabrics with good wear resistance and special properties.

Pros:

• They are durable and have excellent characteristics in terms of operation, natural leather - especially durable material;

• Excellent aesthetics, presentable and luxurious, which can easily emphasize the high status of the owner. An atmosphere of refinement and well-being is created in the house;

• Very high air permeability, and also ecological compatibility. All natural materials possess these properties;

• Leather upholstery is heat-resistant.

Cons:

• Often, leather sofas are quite expensive;

• The skin requires special and regular care, with the use of special tools that are not always cheap.

To date, there are a large number of imitation leather, as well as eco leather. Fantasy designers can combine not even with things to be reckoned with. For example, a successful combination of furniture fabric with inserts of natural leather or imitation leather, the creation of original and innovative design solutions. This allows you to get a high aesthetic effect, while significantly reducing the cost of material. But remember that no artificial leather can enjoy all the benefits of natural materials, in particular, the skin. Now you can analyze all the pros and cons of comparing these sofas, and make right choice.