Upholstery Fabric

Upholstery Fabric by the Yard

Upholstery fabric is the largest and most practically critical category in residential textiles — heavyweight wovens, velvets, chenilles, performance fabrics, and specialty constructions engineered specifically for the demands of sofas, armchairs, headboards, ottomans, benches, and all other upholstered furnishings. At The WorkRoom, our upholstery fabric collection spans thousands of patterns and constructions from the world's leading luxury brands, with a minimum abrasion rating of 15,000 Wyzenbeek double rubs for general residential use and many options exceeding 25,000 double rubs for more demanding applications.

What Makes a Fabric Suitable for Upholstery

The key specification for upholstery fabric is abrasion resistance — the ability to withstand the repeated friction of regular sitting, cleaning, and contact without pilling, fading, or wearing through. This is measured in Wyzenbeek double rubs: 15,000 is the residential minimum; 25,000–30,000 suits active family use; 50,000+ is commercial-grade. Beyond abrasion, upholstery fabric needs sufficient weight and structural integrity to hold its shape over a cushion or spring set, appropriate stretch characteristics for pattern matching and tight application around curved forms, and colorfast construction that maintains its appearance under cleaning and UV exposure.

Types of Upholstery Fabric

Woven upholstery — including jacquards, damasks, bouclés, and tapestry weaves — provides the most durable and pattern-rich category. Velvet upholstery is the most luxurious — cotton, mohair, silk, or synthetic pile with extraordinary tactile and visual depth. Performance upholstery includes Crypton, solution-dyed, and other engineered constructions for stain-resistant, easy-clean applications. Leather and faux leather provide the most durable and most easily maintained upholstery surfaces.

Also Explore

Performance fabric for high-durability, easy-clean specifications. Velvet fabric for the luxury upholstery category. Multipurpose fabric for dual-use upholstery/drapery constructions.