Choosing the Best Fabric for Your Recliner Chair or Sofa

Investing in a recliner chair or sofa is a great way to bring some comfort into your life – not to mention a chance to brighten up your living area a bit. Part of that is choosing the right fabric for your upholstery, which will not only impact how it looks in the room but also the comfort of the chair. As you might guess, there’s much more to it than simply picking something you like.

As well as how it looks and feels, you may want to consider factors such as durability, stain resistance or environmental impact. Fortunately, there are plenty of options available, so there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to choose something that’s both practical and comfortable, that should last a long time as well as being pleasing to look at.

Leather vs fabric recliner

Choosing the best material for your rise recliner chair or riser recliner sofa will often come down to a balance between comfort, style and maintenance. Think about how the chair will be used – for example, will you eat and drink in it, do you have pets, or will it be placed by a walkway where lots of people will touch it as they go past? If so, you’ll probably want something that’s easy to clean. If it’s for a person with high-care needs, then an anti-microbial or anti-fungal fabric option may be a good choice, and something that’s machine-washable for the removable layers.

You may also consider environmental or budget constraints. While some natural fabrics are more eco-friendly, synthetics are usually cheaper and tend to last longer. The good news is that whichever you’re most comfortable with, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Leather

Leather is always in style and looks smart in any room. It’s naturally hard-wearing, lasts a long time and is easy to clean. Regular treatment will deal with the fact that leather is slightly vulnerable to sunlight and may collect oils and grease from hands. Consider a throw if you have pets that are likely to use your chair as a scratching post. Leather can be matched with almost any style or texture, so it’s a good choice if you have a lot of existing furniture.

• Natural Leather

Natural leather has a lovely texture and is among the most durable fabrics. It’s expensive but long-lasting, and regular treatment protects it and keeps it supple. As leather is a natural by-product of the beef industry, it is more environmentally friendly than its synthetic alternative.

• Faux leather

Faux leather is made from synthetic materials that are embossed to mimic leather’s natural texture. While they’re a cheaper and vegan-friendly option, they lack the characteristic smell and hypo-allergenic properties of natural leather. On the other hand, faux leather is easy to clean, isn’t as prone to cracking and is available in a much wider variety of colours.

Fabric

Which fabric is best for a recliner chair depends to an extent on whether you prefer natural or synthetic. Natural materials tend to hold dyes better and have natural resistance to mould, mildew and pests, which may suit people who have allergies or sensitive skin. Synthetic fabrics, however, are more affordable, and still do a great job imitating all these beneficial properties. Moreover, some synthetic fabrics are found to be more durable than their natural counterparts.

Synthetic Fabrics

• Polyester

Polyester is one of the most versatile and popular of the synthetic options, as it’s durable and breathable while still feeling soft and comfortable. Easy to clean and less prone to fading than some other fabrics, polyester is a sensible choice if the chair is going to sit by a window with a lot of natural light. Polyester is also non-allergenic, but can develop a static charge, so if you have a pet you’ll notice that it attracts hair more than some other materials.

• Microfibre

Microfibre has a super-fine thread and a tight weave, making it lightweight yet strong and durable. Easy to clean, and naturally stain and water repellent, microfibre is a good choice for homes with pets. Microfibre has a sleek and contemporary look so suits modern or minimalist décor, and has a warm, soft texture similar to suede. However, it’s made from petroleum by-products, which makes it a form of plastic, so it won’t biodegrade.

The Bottom Line

We all have different tastes and lifestyle needs, which means the best fabric for a new recliner chair won’t be the same for everyone. Once you’ve narrowed down your requirements the process can be a lot of fun, especially when combined with choosing colours or patterns.

If your heart is set on a particular fabric but you’re worried about the maintenance, you can always purchase a throw or cover to protect it or choose machine washable fabric for the removable features. Functionality is, without doubt, important. But so is the fact that it’s your chair, your living room, your decision – so choose a fabric that makes you feel simply great every time you look at it.