Is linen a good upholstery fabric?

Many of us love linen clothes and bedding, but what about if you're looking to make some new chair covers or reupholster a sofa? In this post we'll explore the key desirable features in upholstery fabrics, the pros and cons of different fabrics and show why linen is a great choice for most projects.

Linen fabric is made from flax fibers derived from flax plants. Flax has been used to make textiles and clothing for thousands of years and linen is still used around the world because it's highly durable, stain resistant, easy to care for and can withstand lots of domestic wear and tear.

Whether you're updating a family sofa or creating a statement piece, we've got the lowdown on choosing the right fabric. Whatever size your project, upholstery can be expensive so it's important to get the right fabric that you can live with for some time.

Here's why linen upholstery fabric is the go-to for stylish homes.

Key features of upholstery fabric

Durability

The most important thing to consider when choosing upholstery fabrics is their strength and durability. A material like silk might look luxurious but it is easily torn and not a great idea for slipcovers or sofa upholstery. Choose something that can withstand plenty of wear and tear.

Easy care

Stain resistance is also useful, especially if your household includes children and pets.

Slipcovers that can be washed are much easier to care for than fitted upholstery so if this is a factor for you, choose a fabric that can be machine washed. Some fabrics (particularly synthetics like polyester and man-made wool mixes) experience pilling after washing, so check how your chosen fabric reacts to general cleaning before you invest in large swathes for your home.

Feel

Upholstery fabric that feels prickly or itchy will not be a popular choice with anyone needing to sit down for any length of time! Opt for something with a smooth weave that feels soft against the skin.

Leather is a well-used upholstery fabric but can feel sticky and sweaty. Whilst it's easy to clean it can also tear and this is difficult to fix without repairs being visible. Velvet material has a luxe look but isn't always comfortable against the skin, and it's not as hard wearing as linen.

Easy to work with

Your fabric needs to be easy to cut, shape and sew in order for your upholstery to look its best. Your fabric shouldn't bunch up in the sewing machine, or be too thick for the needle to penetrate easily.

Why linen makes a great upholstery fabric

Is there a fabric that ticks all these boxes? Yes! Linen upholstery not only looks beautiful, it nails all these functional factors too, unlike other options like leather or velvet.

Renowned for its strength and longevity, linen fabric is naturally hardwearing. It will keep going for years, which will not only save you money on replacement soft furnishings, but is an eco friendly option as it reduces waste.

Top quality linen fabric feels lovely to touch, making it a luxurious-feeling comfortable choice for clothing, home textiles and upholstery fabric. It can be machine washed and it naturally repels dirt and stains. Whilst linen does tend to have natural wrinkles and creases, this is something to embrace, and if you sew your slipcovers fairly tight then it should reduce the number of wrinkles.

Linen is also a joy to work with when sewing or crafting. The weave is tight enough to hold its shape as you sew, but not too thick that it's hard to push needles or pins through. For everyday upholstery projects, linen fabric is always a popular choice.

Choosing linen upholstery fabric colors

When we think of linen we often think of light, neutrals or clean white linen fabric. But, in fact, linen upholstery fabric comes in a huge range of colors and patterns. So you can find the perfect match for your home, whether that's a minimalist tranquil space or a bold, bright colorful environment.

How will the furniture be used?

As your chairs or sofa may be the largest piece of furniture in the room, getting the right color for your upholstery fabric is crucial. Think about what kind of effect you'd like to create, and consider how the furniture will be used. If there are small children and muddy dogs around, you might want to go for a darker toned linen upholstery fabric.

Statement or neutral?

A large piece of furniture might be better suited to a more neutral fabric or color, so it doesn't dominate the whole space. Smaller pieces often look great with more texture and pattern. It's also easier to change up a smaller statement item or cushion cover than a large sofa that you've invested time and money in upholstering.

Discover the joys of linen upholstery

As you can see, if you're looking for a sustainable, durable, breathable upholstery fabric linen is at the top of the list. Once you've weighed up the pros and cons of different fabrics like leather, velvet and cotton, we think you'll agree that your sofa or chairs deserve the very best.

And that's linen!