Fabric selection is one of the most important choices you will have to make in your interior design. With so many options available, your decision can become challenging. Colour and pattern are key elements, but even before you get down to it, you need to choose the right type of fabric for your furniture and the one most suited to your lifestyle.

Driven by the creativity of consumers and interior design professionals, fabric has become increasingly important in decoration due to its versatility and ability to provide unique comfort.

Learn now the different types of fabric you can choose and the best way to preserve them for as long as possible, keeping them intact over time.

Linen

Linen is an extremely strong natural fibre which is also soft, smooth and naturally polished. Linen naturally resists soiling but can wrinkle easily, making it more suitable for casual rather than formal spaces. It is often blended with cotton for added stretch. This type of fabric is recommended for allergy sufferers as it has anti-allergy properties.

Suede

Widely used in interior decoration, such as sofas and cushions, the suede fabric compose a soft exterior, with a high resistance to friction, stains and damage caused by the passage of time. This fabric is ideal for the upholstery of sofas, armchairs and cushions, of regular use, being the preference of manufacturers and customers.

Highlighting all the benefits of suede fabric, this material is one of the best options if you have pets. Its simple maintenance prevents your pieces from getting damaged over time.

Cotton

Cotton is a soft and durable material, but is also prone to wrinkling and soiling easily. Its surface is highly comfortable, light, soft and smooth to the touch and is a durable fabric even with many washes. It is usually blended with other materials and is not 100% natural. The best quality cotton blends usually contain around 45% to 60% cotton.

Leather

Whether synthetic or natural leather this is a luxury material that is easy to clean and maintain.  Its durability contrasts with the softness of its texture. One of the great advantages is its adaptation to temperature, both in summer and winter. It is recommended to keep it away from direct sunlight or any other heat source. This is a hypoallergenic fabric, perfect for families with children.

Velvet

Velvet is a material that can be made from cotton, silk, or polyester. However, polyester velvets are more durable than their natural fibre counterparts. Although comparatively harder to clean, velvet stands out for its comfort, texture, and colour options that denote a natural richness and glamour.

Microfibre

A knitted polyester fabric, microfiber is softer than suede and much easier to clean. It is made of tightly woven synthetic fibres that provide durability and moisture resistance while maintaining the aesthetic qualities of suede.

Textured

When it comes to resistance, elasticity and quality, textured polyester stands out. Its composition is made from a set of continuous filaments, which are textured through a mechanical system and then heated, thus arriving at the final result.

This process guarantees several benefits to the fibre, making it really sought after by most people who want a synthetic fibre.

Bouclé

In interior design, bouclé fabric is usually applied to the upholstery of furniture. This multifunctional material, having a wide variety of uses in your home decoration. Its soft texture is an excellent choice for sofas and chairs. In addition to these benefits, bouclé goes especially well with furniture pieces with curved contours, as the soft curves complement the soft fabric.

At Jota Barbosa, the bouclé fabric has already been present in several projects, namely the Marques da Silva Project, with minimalist and elegant lines. Take a look at our website and stay up to date with our incredible projects.

Special considerations

There are some factors you should consider before making a fabric selection for the upholstery of your furniture. These relate to the environment in which you will place your sofa, whether your room gets a lot of sun or there is any humidity. If there are pets sharing the same space or if you suffer from any kind of allergies.

Resistance to fading: This factor is important if it is placed in a room which receives a lot of sunlight or near a window.

Resistance to mildew: Look for fabrics that are resistant to mildew (mites that act in wetter environments) if you live in a humid climate.

Allergies: Consider fabric such as microfiber for certain allergies because it is lint-free and doesn’t attract dust.

Pets: If you have pets, avoid using delicate fabrics like silk or any fabric with a lot of texture. Instead, choose upholstery that allows for easy maintenance.

Hospitality: In this type of spaces all fabrics should be “Fire Retardant” for safety reasons. Living spaces: Whether at home, at work or in a shop it is important to choose “Water Repellent” and “Stain Resistant”.

Waterproofing Process

Waterproofing is a kind of resin applied to the fabric that creates a barrier between the fibres and the surface. By applying a waterproofing agent, a waterproof film exists that protects the fabric from unexpected eventualities. This process is very common to guarantee the conservation and increase the durability of furniture, such as sofas, and clothes, curtains and carpets.

The application of specific products on certain fabrics creates a protective barrier that prevents liquids from entering the surface and damaging, for example, foams and wood.

To make fabric waterproofing it is necessary to apply a waterproofing product to the entire surface, with the objective of closing the pores, impeding the penetration of liquids and the accumulation of dust, mites and fungus. In addition, this method prevents the appearance of stains, conserves the fabric and reduces damage to the furniture structure.

Waterproofing also preserves the beauty of the pieces, prolongs durability and prevents the formation of stains, which can accelerate the aging process and also the need.

At Jota Barbosa Interiors we want to provide our clients with the best quality products, evoking the quality and beauty of each piece and for that we have this extra service in all the upholstery we produce. You have always the possibility to visit our website and consult all kind of fabrics and finishes of our products.