WHAT WILL YOU NEED TO KNOW

FABRIC:

Upholstery fabric often coexists with other finishes including wall paint, flooring, window treatments, lighting, and other furniture pieces.  Or, you may also be starting with a clean slate, existing wall paint that is plain, scant to no window treatments, or needing rugs to cover floors that are not so appealing. Before you buy fabric, consider seeing how different fabrics look in your actual space. You can go on Pinterest or look through your favorite magazines to get an idea of how you would like your space to look and feel.

Starting with a simple color palette that will not complicate your process is a good start. When it comes to a finished look, keep in mind the size, scale, and shape of your furniture will impact how your fabric you chose will look. Aim to have your upholstery a cohesive look.  Most fabric mills today are producing materials that can be used for a variety of purposes that include new fibers designed for durability, as well as natural fibers like cotton and silks, and a host of fabric blends. The quality of a fabric is determined by how tightly the fibers of the fabric are woven as well as design details.

COSTS:

Price does not necessarily equate to quality or durability. There are lots of upholstery fabric options available but not all fabrics are the same. You can purchase discount fabrics that can include flaws. However, I recommend if you decide to purchase discount fabric that you examine every square inch before deciding to proceed with your upholstery project. Take a friend or family member that may be familiar with textures of fabric to help you sort though the fabric and point out flaws in the material. I understand having to budget how much you can spend, but there are drawbacks and limitations. You want your project to look pulled together but more importantly, you want it to last and have durability.