Types of Home Decor and Upholstery Fabric

Decor fabrics undergo a durability test called Martindale testing. The test measures how much wear and tear or abrasion the fabric can undergo before it deteriorates.

For example, 28,000 Martindale means that the first two fabric threads will break at 28,000 revolutions. I recommend that you stay within this range in order to ensure that your decor fabric is of a good quality.

Also known as corded velveteen, corduroy fabric has a regular "cord" pattern in a straight, vertical direction and you can often see the base fabric between the 'cord' pattern.  Just like velvet, corduroy is derived from fustian fabric and can be quite durable depending on the grade.  Similar fabrics include tufted fabrics.

Corduroy can be found in different colours and 'cord' pattern thickness. This fabric works well for scatter cushions and furniture that will experience fairly low traffic, including:

Faux suede is a strong, fire-retardant, man-made alternative to animal leather suede. Depending on the country, faux suede is also called Suedette, Alcantara, Buffalo, and Micro suede.

It is made from polyester micro-fibre and unlike animal suede, it is stain-resistant, easy to clean and is fairly water-resistant.  As with all napped fabrics, it's important to get the direction of your furnishing project pattern pieces lined-up in the same direction, or else the difference in shade will be noticeable in the finished item. Home decor items that look great with faux suede  include:

While some fabrics have patterns printed, embroidered or stamped onto the surface of the fabric, Jacquard fabric has its pattern woven directly into the body of the material.

Jacquard is the name for a style of weave that is produced on a Jacquard loom.  The yarn that is used to make the fabric, is a decision for the creator. There are a number of fabrics created on a Jacquard Loom, including Brocade, Damask and Matelassé.

Some Jacquard fabric like Brocade, are double sided, with a pattern that also appears on the reverse side.  This gives you great style options, for example you can create contrast details using the same fabric. Decor Jacquard is stylish, fairly fade-resistant and durable. This fabric works well for:

Linen fabric is a natural material made from Flax bast fibers. In the old days, ship ropes were made from linen because it is fast drying and strong when wet.

Linen fabric is available in different colours, weaves and weights. Some higher quality Linens are made with longer fibres and appear to have a sheen, while others are woven with shorter fibres and have a more downy finish.

Heavier or decor Linen is great for sofa projects, while light weight linen fabric works well for low-traffic decor items like 'sun-room' curtains.  Linen is easy to clean and maintain and shrinks less than other natural fabrics like cotton and wool. Linen weave fabric can be used to create:

Satin is a type of weave, that was originally made from silk and is now also made from polyester and nylon.

Satin fabric like Charmeuse, have a fluid character which is great for draping and wrap-around projects, for example curtains and tie-backs, while Duchesse satin, for example,  is heavy, stiff and luxurious.

Satin can be stained by many things including water and steam. While polyesters and nylon satin are a bit more forgiving, most satin will look better and last longer if it is dry-cleaned. Satin home decor items include:

Silk is a strong and natural protein fibre,  that is woven into textiles. Commercial silks are made from the pupae of silkworms and produce a white-colored silk thread.

Famed for it's lustre, silk refracts incoming light at different angles, and this creates different colours.  It has a smooth and soft texture that isn't slippery, like synthetic fabric. It is durable, but shrinks and looses strength when wet. Silk is stained yellow by sweat and is also prone to infestation if it is left to get dirty. Silk textured fabric gives an air of elegance and can be used for:

Denim is a sturdy fabric made from cotton, which can be found in a range of colours. The most popular denim is indigo on the right side and white on the reverse.

Denim fabric weight is measured in ounces, and in terms of durability, the heavier weight denim is more suited to home decor projects.  Cotton denim is not colour fast and will rub-off on clothing, it will also fade each time it is washed. 

Nylon denim is used for car interiors because it is very durable, colour-fast and fire-resistant - this type of denim is best for high-traffic furnishings. If you can't get hold of denim fabric then some indigo coloured fabrics like linen, chenille, suede, and faux leather, can mimic the qualities of denim. Denim can look very stylish when used for:

Canvas is a plain woven fabric that's mostly made from cotton and sometimes hemp, linen or polyester fabric.

The texture is diagonal on one side and plain on the reverse. It is sturdy, heavy duty and durable.   Outdoor decor canvas is cotton that has been blended with synthetic fibres, which results in a breathable, water resistant fabric. However it is prone to mildew and can be difficult to get stains out of. Canvas is often used for:

Faux Leather is a synthetic fabric that's regularly used for the same soft-furnishings and upholstery projects as real leather.

It can be manufactured to mimic any type of leather grain but it's a lot more flexible, easier to sew and easier to craft with than real leather.  Unfortunately faux leather is a mass produced petroleum product, it's not biodegradable or sustainable. Faux leather is often used for: