The fabric you choose changes how your sofa looks, how it feels and how well it copes with real life: kids, pets, spilled tea and Sunday afternoon naps. With so many options, it's easy to fall for a colour and only think about practicality later.
This guide compares the most popular sofa fabrics, including the ones we use across our range, so you can choose one you'll still love in five years.
Sofa fabrics at a glance
| Fabric | Feel | Look | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Velvet | Smooth and soft | Rich colour with a subtle sheen | Statement sofas, cosy rooms | Pressure marks; hair shows on dark shades |
| Boucle | Soft and nubbly | Textured and modern, often in creams | Contemporary rooms, texture lovers | Loops can catch on claws and jewellery |
| Jumbo cord | Thick, soft ribs | Relaxed and retro | Families, lounging, everyday use | Ribs can flatten where you sit most |
| Chenille | Soft and warm | Matt, slightly textured | Everyday family sofas | Can snag on sharp claws |
| Linen blend | Natural and breathable | Relaxed, natural texture | Light, airy rooms | Creases more than other fabrics |
| Teddy | Fluffy and cosy | Soft, sheepskin-like | Snug living rooms | Pile can flatten over time |
Velvet
Velvet has a short, dense pile that feels smooth and catches the light, so colours look deep and rich. It's a classic choice for a sofa that's meant to be noticed.
Pros: soft to the touch, a luxurious look, and no loops for claws to catch on.
Cons: velvet can show pressure marks where the pile is pressed down, and pet hair and fluff stand out, especially on dark shades. Gently brushing the pile usually brings it back.
Try it: our Brooklyn sofas are upholstered in velvet with a plush pillow back, the Artisan range comes in a soft cream velvet, and our plush velvet swatches run from cream and mink to burnt orange and teal.
Boucle
Boucle (from the French for "curled") is woven from looped yarn, which gives it a soft, nubbly texture. It's one of the most popular sofa fabrics right now, especially in warm whites and creams.
Pros: a beautiful, tactile texture that's good at disguising small creases.
Cons: the loops can catch on pet claws, zips, buttons and jewellery, and light shades need a little more care with spills.
Try it: the Selina range pairs boucle with gold-effect legs, the Albane L Shape Corner Sofa has soft rounded arms in bouclé, and the Belmont Boucle Cinema Couch brings the texture to film night.
Jumbo cord and cord
Jumbo cord is a modern take on corduroy, with thick, soft ribs. It's relaxed, comfortable and tactile, and it's become a favourite for family sofas.
Pros: very soft, cosy to sink into and practical for everyday use.
Cons: the ribs can flatten in the spots you sit in most, and crumbs can settle in the grooves, so a quick vacuum with an upholstery brush helps.
Try it: the Brighton and London ranges are upholstered in jumbo cord, including the London Large Double Ended Chaise Sofa, and the Ariella U Shape Sofa comes in a soft premium cord.
Chenille
Chenille has a soft, slightly fuzzy pile and a matt finish. It's warm, comfortable and a good all-rounder for a family sofa.
Pros: soft and cosy, good at hiding everyday marks, and available in lots of colours. Our chenille swatches run from cream, pearl and sand to olive, honey and sky.
Cons: like any textured weave, it can snag if a pet uses it as a scratching post.
Linen blend
Linen blends mix linen with other fibres, keeping linen's natural, breathable look while making the fabric softer and more practical.
Pros: natural texture, a relaxed, lived-in look, and comfortable in warm weather.
Cons: it creases more than most fabrics, which some people love and others don't. Our linen blend swatches include charcoal, slate, beige, mocha and petrol.
Teddy
Teddy fabric has a deep, fluffy pile that feels like a cosy fleece. It's ideal for a snug sofa you want to curl up on in winter.
Pros: incredibly soft and warm.
Cons: the pile can flatten with heavy use, and pet hair clings to it. Our teddy swatches include dove, latte, truffle and ivory.
Which sofa fabric is best for pets and children?
No fabric is completely pet-proof or child-proof, but some cope better than others:
- Cats and dogs with claws: choose velvet or a tight, flat weave, which has no loops to catch. Avoid boucle and loose, loopy weaves.
- Shedding pets: pick a colour close to your pet's fur. Hair stands out far more on a contrasting colour.
- Young children: mid-tone colours and textured fabrics, like chenille or cord, hide everyday marks better than pale, flat fabrics.
- Everyone: a throw on the favourite seat takes most of the wear and can go in the washing machine.
How durable is a sofa fabric?
Many fabrics are tested with the Martindale rub test, which counts how many rubs a fabric can take before it shows wear. As a rough guide, 15,000 to 25,000 rubs suits general household use, and 25,000 or more is considered heavy duty. If durability matters to you, ask about the rub count for the fabric you're considering.
How to care for your sofa fabric
- Vacuum once a week with an upholstery brush to lift dust and crumbs.
- Plump and turn the cushions regularly so they wear evenly. Fibre-filled cushions in particular need regular plumping to keep their shape.
- Blot spills straight away with a clean, dry cloth. Don't rub, as that pushes the spill deeper.
- Keep the sofa out of strong direct sunlight where you can, as it can fade colours over time.
- Check the care label before using any cleaning product, and test it on a hidden area first.
See it before you choose
Colours on a screen never look quite the same as they do in your living room. Fabric changes in different light, and a shade that looks grey online can turn out warmer or cooler in person. That's why we recommend ordering swatches first. You can choose up to 7 swatches from our plush velvet, teddy, Kensington, linen blend, chenille and Columbus fabrics, and see them in your own room in morning and evening light.
Sofa fabric FAQs
What is the most durable sofa fabric?
Tightly woven fabrics with a high Martindale rub count tend to last longest. Ask about the rub count for any fabric you're considering, and pick a mid-tone colour if you want the sofa to look newer for longer.
Is boucle hard to keep clean?
Not especially, but it needs a little care. Vacuum it regularly, blot spills quickly, and keep sharp claws and jewellery away from the loops.
Does velvet crush?
Velvet pile can flatten where you sit, which shows up as lighter or darker patches. It's a natural feature of the fabric rather than a fault, and gently brushing the pile usually lifts it.
What is the best sofa fabric for cats?
Velvet and other tight, flat weaves are usually the best choice, because there are no loops for claws to pull. Boucle and loose, loopy weaves are the most likely to snag.
Found your fabric? Browse all our sofas, or order swatches to see the colours at home.