The living room is a part of your home that both you and your guests can see and feel. The couch, in turn, represents the central part of the living room, and it is precisely what we will be discussing in this article.

While couches usually offer excellent comfort and beautiful room decor as well, they sometimes tend to get older and lose their shiny exterior alongside their functionality. But that does not mean you should get rid of it immediately. Reupholstering your couch is an eco-conscious and money-saving option!

We are going to look through five different types of materials used for upholstery, which will serve to help choose the material that corresponds with your preferences.

It is common knowledge that leather is made from processed and treated hide from animal skin.

Pros:

– Timeless Elegance: Leather is a classic and chic material that never gets out of fashion
– Durability: If treated well, quality leather can even last for decades.
– Easy Maintenance: Leather is the most hygienic choice, as any spill can simply be wiped off.
– Hypoallergenic: Leather blocks the build-up of allergens including dust, pollen, and dander, thus it is the right choice for people with allergies.

Cons:

– Price: Leather is one of the most expensive upholstery materials.
– Prone to Scratches: Pets or sharp objects are the main reasons that can cause easy discoloration.
– Temperature Sensitivity: Without proper climate control, leather can be cold in winter and sticky in summer.
– Ethical Concerns: Leather is made from animal skin; it’s not animal-cruelty free. Some people disagree with the idea of using animals this way. However, there are other options, like faux leather or vegan leather, that can replace original leather.

Cotton is a natural fiber that comes from a plant. The seeds of the cotton plant are harvested, the materials are spun into yarn or threads, and then the yarn is used to form the fabric.

Pros:

– Comfort: The soft texture of cotton provides breathability and thus gives a person the highest comfort.
– Diverse variants: Multicolor, striped, and embossed patterns are also available which can be ideally combined with any interior style.
– Affordability: This is one of the least expensive upholstery materials you can purchase.

Cons:

– Stain-Prone: Cotton material is not resistant to water, and hence, liquids and stains are likely to be absorbed unless it is finished with a waterproof or stain-resistant chemical.
-Durability: 100% cotton wears more than mixed synthetics, thereby exhibiting some signs of wearing out over time.
– Maintenance: Its freshness is maintained only with regular cleaning, which might be time-consuming in the long run.

In contrast to the previous materials, microfiber is a man-made material. It is manufactured from very small fibers, typically polyester or a polyester-nylon blend.

Pros:

– Pet-Friendly: This material is not vulnerable to scratches, and it also does not pick up pet hair.
– Durable: The fabric is strong enough to resist the damage and is therefore the best choice for areas with high traffic.
– Easy to Clean: Aside from being very resistant to stains, even if it gets stained, it can be cleaned very easily by just using water.

Cons:

– Heat Sensitivity: The fabric becomes damaged by overly high temperatures; therefore, one should avoid heated objects around this material.
– Limited Options: Despite being produced in different shades, the feel and patterns found in natural fabrics are not too many.

Velvet is a plush and comfortable fabric of a dense pile and is regarded as a far more pampering material than the other materials. In general, it is either from silk, cotton, or artificial threads.

Pros:

– Luxurious Appearance: It easily transforms almost any living space into something highly luxurious and sophisticated..
– Soft Texture: Its soft texture provides unmatched coziness.
– Rich Colors: Velvet’s luster enhances the colors, making them deeper and more abundant.

Cons:

– High Maintenance: The fabric demands a great deal of washing, and it is susceptible to stains and damage.
– Expensive: Velvet is often the more expensive choice of fabrics compared to regular upholstery fabrics.
– Not Pet-Friendly: It draws pet hair and might be easily damaged by claws.

This type of material is a mixture of polyester and other fibers, the main ones being cotton, rayon, or spandex.

Pros:

– Stain Resistance: Polyester blends used in fabrics are considered to be good at stain repulsion.
– Affordable: Usually less costly than expensive materials like velvet or leather.
– Durable: It will not fade or get damaged easily, even when exposed to sunlight.

Cons:

– Synthetic Feel: It might lack the softness that velvet and cotton provide.
– Environmental Concerns: Polyester is not as friendly to the environment as natural materials.

The selection of the best couch upholstery material is not a simple question of taste but also a matter of necessity. Currently, leather and velvet are likely to attract those whose main focus is class and beauty. However, if you are looking for comfort and aim to minimize your expenses, the other choices will definitely serve you better!