Natural fabrics
- Cotton — comfortable and breathable; stains easily unless treated or blended.
- Linen — beautiful, cool and relaxed-looking; creases and marks easily, so it suits low-traffic pieces.
- Wool — durable, warm and naturally resistant to dirt; a good choice for everyday seating.
- Velvet — rich colour and soft feel; modern performance velvets are much tougher than they look.
- Leather — long-lasting and easy to wipe; develops a patina over time.
Synthetics and blends
Polyester, acrylic and other synthetic "performance" fabrics resist fading and stains and are easy to clean. Blends combine the feel of natural fibres with the toughness of synthetics.
What to check
- Abrasion resistance: suppliers often give a rub-test rating; higher numbers mean more durable fabric for daily use.
- Weave: tight weaves wear better and snag less than loose ones.
- Cleaning: removable, washable covers are a big advantage.
- Sunlight: strong sun fades many natural fabrics; choose fade-resistant fabric for sunny rooms.
Children and pets
Choose tightly woven or performance fabrics in mid-tone colours with a little pattern, which hide marks better than very light or very dark plain fabrics. Avoid loose weaves that claws can catch.
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Zinat — a free reference to beauty and decoration, part of the ZIBADIS network founded by Masoud Moghaddam, designer and developer.
