Restoring furniture often comes with the need to reupholster it. But when the time comes to select an excellent fabric, it’s all too easy to make a choice that isn’t entirely appropriate for our pieces. So, I’ve decided to share my favorite tips for how to pick the best upholstery fabric for your project.
Consider the Purpose of Your Piece
Before I embark on a journey of finding the perfect fabric, the first thing I like to do is take a moment to think about the purpose behind my piece. For instance, maybe I want to restore a vintage couch. Well, is it going to be more decorative and ornate? Or is it going to serve as comfy, central seating for my living area?
Just as well, I like to pause for a moment and take stock of the tools that would be most appropriate to help me finish my project. For instance, if I have an extensive piece ahead of me, I might want to consider whether I’ll need glue or staples and which will be best for my project.
Understanding these things helps me gain an idea of the initial direction I need to go in once I start shopping for fabrics. And inherently, it leads me to make more informed decisions about the materials that will be most functional for the projects I want to work on.
Let Your Practical Needs Lead
Y’all, no one knows better than me; it’s so easy to let ourselves get carried away with the flashiest, most expensive fabrics lining the craft supply store. And while there is a time and place to incorporate style into your selection, it’s not always a great place to start.
Instead, I like to start my shopping trips with a fundamental yet essential rule in mind: let your practical needs lead. Essentially, before I invest in any flashy fabrics, I need to think about how practical they are when stacked up against my lifestyle.
To illustrate, maybe y’all are captivated by a white, satiny fabric that is absolutely to die for. However, the chair you want to reupholster is going to find its home in your living room. And this might be okay if your living area wasn’t constantly seeing traffic from your lovely pets, children, and loved ones. In this case, white satin isn’t a practical choice for your project.
Instead, you’ll want to choose something more appropriate for your lifestyle. For this reason, it’s always wise to think about your practical needs first and think about how to incorporate style later on.
Don’t Forget To Add a Splash of Style
For me, the best part of uncovering how to pick the best upholstery fabric for your project is getting to add a splash of style to my selection. And I might not be reaching for the most decadent fabrics. But there is still tons of fun to be had with the more practical options available.
So, once you get to this step in your selection, let go a little bit and start looking for a stylish, functional fabric that you’re excited about! Perhaps you’re like me, and you love ultra-soft textures. Well, then peruse through the practical yet stylish fabric options. You’re sure to find a stylish and functional material for your piece.