The types of sofa fabrics that are suitable for a family living are generally those with high-performance properties.

In a TV room, a sofa will be the most hardworking piece of furniture. This means that it’s important to choose to seat that not only looks great but is durable and has the right feel.

Chances are you will spend a lot of time curled up whilst binge-watching your favourite shows. As such, we recommend choosing a robust material that can withstand heavy usage.

1. Chenille

Lush and regal, chenille is a durable fabric that is perfect for a family with children and pets. Similar to velvet, this fabric has a close weave that gives it a soft luxurious feel as seen in this stylish Cave Sofa by Bonaldo.

Performance chenille offers great stain resistance and can be easily cleaned with a damp cloth.

Keep your sofa looking new by vacuuming regularly to prevent the buildup of dust and debris. Avoid using water as it will flatten out the piles reducing the fuzziness of the fabric. Occasionally, run a soft brush over the seats to maintain a soft look.

Unfortunately, cat owners might need to be careful as the fabric’s tufted pile is easily snagged by animal claws.

When planning your living room layout, place your chenille sofas out of direct sunlight to avoid any fading or sun damage.

2. Cotton

Cotton is a natural fibre that is breathable and comfortable. It’s a great choice for homes in hot climates as your sofas won’t leave you feeling clammy. Furthermore, this fabric resists fading, which is key when your furniture receives direct sunlight.

Because it takes on colour and patterns well, you will find countless designs to choose from for your upholstery. From crisp white to deep indigo, leopard print to cabana stripe.

Best of all, cotton sofas are budget-friendly even at premium levels.

The downside of the fabric is that it’s susceptible to stains. We recommend asking your retailer to add a stain protection treatment to your sofas before you bring them home. It’s also a good idea to opt for intricate patterns that can conceal small stains.

3. Polyester

When durability and easy maintenance rank high on your fabric needs, you won’t be disappointed with polyester. This synthetic fabric will resist stains better than most upholstery making it a good choice for a busy home.

Just like cotton, your polyester sofa will maintain its colour against sunshine and artificial light exposure.

You should especially consider this material if allergies are a concern in your home. In most cases, your loved ones will not experience sneezes or skin reactions when exposed to them.

As for your furry family members, polyester is strong enough to resist light impact from their teeth and claws. These sofas won’t break the bank and you can find premium designs at an affordable price.

4. Leather

A classic favourite, leather gives a timeless look to any sofa style. High-quality leather sofas like this Zuma Sofa by Naustro Nexus Collection will last for over fifteen years before you need to replace it.

This sophisticated fabric is highly durable and resistant to stains. Just like leather jackets look better with wear, your sofa will age well taking on a gorgeous patina over time.

Not all leather is alike - different types of leather are used for sofas. Of these, pigmented leather is the most durable with a consistent surface appearance, while aniline leather is more natural looking, but less resistant to soiling.

As an added bonus, leather resists allergens, which is ideal if you or anyone in your family suffers from allergies.

All these great benefits come at a price, leather sofas are considerably more expensive than fabric options. However, if your budget allows, the price you pay will be worth it.

5. Microfibre

The final fabric on our list is microfibre. A microfibre sofa can stand up to high amounts of traffic without losing shape and form.

If you love the feel of suede, this fabric will be a great cost-effective alternative. This soft upholstery is non-porous meaning that you have time to wipe off any liquid spills before they sink into the fabric.

A con for pet owners is that this upholstery can be a magnet for fur. Unless you are prepared to regularly run a lint roller over your sofas, it may not be the ideal choice.

Other than that, your microfibre furniture will highly stain resistant with high-quality sofas being able to withstand tough stains, like those from red wine and bolognese sauce.

In Conclusion

Buying furniture can be fun, but it can also be stressful if you’re unsure which option to choose.

When choosing a sofa fabric that’s suitable for your family living, think about your lifestyle and how the fabric will stand up to it.

Whether you are shopping for a small loveseat or a large sectional,  our premium sofa collection has a style for every need. Reach out to our team for any help with customisation including the fabric, colour, size and hardware on your selected piece.

To test the comfort of different fabrics, we encourage you to visit our showroom where you can experience the various options in person.