There are so many options to choose from that settling on the best fabric for your sofa or bed can be difficult. But what’s even more challenging is finding a material that’s tough enough to stand up to the demands of your lifestyle.

As we know a fair bit about upholstery, we thought it only right that we share our tips and tricks of the trade when it comes to deciding between the different fabrics on offer.

Upholstery Material for Sofa Beds

So, which fabric is right for you? Firstly, we will break down the different bed and sofa material types. There are many options, but most can be grouped into larger categories.

Here are the different fabrics that we use when we’re making sofa beds and storage beds.

Woven fabrics
Patterned fabrics
Leather

Linen
Wool
Faux suede
Velvet

What Upholstery Fabric is Trending Right Now?

The trending fabric for upholstery by a long mile continues to be velvet. Velvet upholstery fabric offers a luxurious and elegant touch to furniture, with various types of velvet available to create different looks and styles. Its soft texture and rich appearance make it a timeless choice for adding sophistication to any space.

When it comes to choosing colours for velvet upholstery, there is a wide array of options available to suit various design preferences and styles. For example, Cobalt Blue and Emerald Green are popular shades that bring luxury to any room.

What Is Recycled Leather?

At Furl, we also offer a range of recycled leather options. This eco-friendly fabric is made from the leather off-cuts from shoes and bags that would otherwise be thrown away.

It comes in a range of colours, including classic chestnut and mahogany. Child-proof and fire retardant, this versatile fabric is suitable for upholstering sofas and storage beds.

If you don’t like leather sofas but need something child-proof, you could look into using Guardsman protection on another fabric. Cover against accidental damage and spillages for five years starts from £100.

This treatment coats the fabric without affecting the colour or feel. It prevents any liquid from soaking into the material. If you do struggle to remove a stain, then in most cases, you can still claim on your Guardsman insurance.

What is The Best Material For a Sofa with Cats?

Pets are another common topic of conversation when discussing which fabric might be the best for you, particularly when you have cats.

Cats… how we love them, but they do like to scratch. Okay, not all cats do, and those that do, don’t mean to damage your furniture.

If you worry about this, faux suede is the ideal fabric choice. Faux suede, like Warwick Macrosuede, is designed to resist cat claws, making it a practical option for pet owners.

Our Top Tips For Cleaning Cat-Proof Furniture

Cleaning cat-proof furniture requires a strategic approach to maintain its durability and appearance. When dealing with pet-friendly sofas, such as those resistant to cat claws, it's essential to consider effective cleaning methods that cater to the specific needs of pet owners.

One practical tip is to use rubber gloves to remove cat hair from the furniture. By wearing rubber gloves and brushing your hand along the fabric, you can easily collect the fur in a pile, making it simpler to clean off the furniture.

Another creative method involves using double-sided tape on areas where cats prefer to scratch. The sticky feeling of the tape can deter cats from scratching those spots, helping protect the furniture from damage.

What is The Easiest Sofa Fabric To Clean?

Aside from leather, wool is officially the easiest fabric to clean. It might surprise you to learn that wool is used for airport seating due to its durability and rub count. Despite common misconceptions about wool being difficult to care for, it boasts inherent qualities that make maintaining its look super simple.

Wool fibres have a natural protective layer that helps prevent stains and dirt buildup, making them easier to maintain and clean. What’s more wool upholstery is easy to care for as it has anti-static properties that prevent dust from collecting on its surface, reducing the need for frequent cleaning.

What is The Toughest Fabric for a Sofa?

All of the fabrics we use at Furl are incredibly strong. A lot of research has already gone into selecting the most durable fabrics, so when you’re choosing between them, you can be sure you’re getting the best of what’s available.

If you decide to provide us with your fabric, there are a few things you need to know.

The fabric must have a rub count of over 20,000 on the Martindale rub test. This means that it qualifies for upholstery use. If it passes the test, there will be a little sofa symbol on the back of the fabric.
The fabric must also be FR-treated, which means fire retardant. It is a legal requirement in the UK for the material to be FR-treated for products such as sofas and beds. If your fabric isn’t FR-treated, then we may be able to back it with an FR liner for you.

If you’re still unsure of the best fabric for your sofa or bed, then why not order some free fabric samples from our website? That way, you can see exactly what they look like in your home.

Metro Sofa Bed | Contemporary design sofa bed

Metro Sofa Bed | Contemporary design sofa bed 2

Best Seller

+100

Metro Sofa Bed

18cm Mattress

Sofa Beds

metro

Contemporary design sofa bed with the deepest bed Pocket, Reflex or Memory mattress up to 18cm deep for the ultimate sleep experience.

From £2,625

Cambio Sofa Bed | Comfort And Best Value | 14cm Mattress

Cambio Sofa Bed | Comfort And Best Value | 14cm Mattress 2

Best Value

+100

Cambio Sofa Bed

Electric option
14cm Mattress

Sofa Beds

cambio

An amazing sofa bed mechanism that gives you an exceptional sleep experience, comfortable mattresses and a versatile sofa bed in 5 sizes and any colour you want.

From £1,990

Grande Sofa Bed | The deepest, most comfortable sofa bed

+100

Grande Sofa Bed

12cm Mattress

Sofa Beds

grande

You asked for a sofa bed with a deep seat and soft, comfortable cushions.... here it is, the name says it all.

From £2,625

Milano Plus Sofa Bed | Everyday Sofa Bed | Furl

+100

Milano Plus Sofa Bed

18cm Mattress

Sofa Beds

milano_plus

A taller version of our popular Milano sofa bed, with a 18cm mattress, tapered arms and a solid wood frame. Elegance and comfort for the best night's sleep.

From £2,880

Duette Sofa Bed | Exceptional Comfort | Full Size Mattress

+100

Duette Sofa Bed

Electric option
14cm Mattress

Sofa Beds

duette

One of our best-selling sofa beds. Sizes range from Single to Super King, with a choice of comfortable mattresses up to 14cm deep.

From £2,154

AirB Sofa Bed | The softest seat with the Deepest Mattress

+100

AirB Sofa Bed

18cm Mattress

Sofa Beds

airb

Our sofa bed with the softest seat and the deepest bed 3 luxurious mattresses options up to 18cm deep for the best sleep experience.

From £2,620

Paris Sofa Bed | Beautiful Design & Various Mattress Options | Furl

+100

Paris Sofa Bed

12cm Mattress

Sofa Beds

paris

Beautiful design, deep seat and tapered arms sofa bed Pocket, Reflex or Memory mattresses options and wooden slats, made to sleep every night.

From £2,984

Nuvo Sofa Bed | Retro with Modern Style | Made in the UK

+100

Nuvo Sofa Bed

12cm Mattress

Sofa Beds

nuvo

Retro with a contemporary twist, low, deep seat and a bed for every night use with a choice of pocket, reflex and memory mattresses.

From £2,620

Classic Style Sofa Bed | Luxury Mattress | Made in the UK

Classic Style Sofa Bed | Luxury Mattress | Made in the UK 2

+100

Classic Sofa Bed

18cm Mattress

Sofa Beds

classic

Higher back and higher arms. A sofa bed with headboard for your bed | Pocket, Reflex or Memory mattress up to 18cm deep for the for the best sleep experience.

From £2,835

+100

Milano Sofa Bed

12cm Mattress

Sofa Beds

milano

Low sofa bed with deep seat, tapered arms and a solid wood frame. Pocket, Reflex or Memory mattress options. Elegant and comfortable to sleep every night.

From £2,620

London Sofa Bed | Clever Storage in the Arms | For Everyday Use

+100

London Sofa Bed

Electric option
14cm Mattress

Sofa Beds

london

Big, bold and luxurious sofa bed with 4 mattress options up to 14cm depth, made for sleeping every night. With a choice of storage arms. Electric option available.

From £2,370