You have three kids, a dog, two cats, and you’re facing one big decision. What is your next piece of upholstery going to look like, and how long will it last? It is important to keep in mind that your lifestyle should be the biggest influence on the fabric you choose to put on that upholstery piece.
For example, if you have the privilege to care for your kids and pets, you should not opt for a white couch made of 100% cotton. Instead, you should probably go for a darker toned polyester piece. What’s the difference, you ask? The difference between these two colors and fabrics is you! Your lifestyle is what will determine each of their fates. When you are shopping for furniture, your lifestyle should be the biggest influence when you choose the fabric and color. If you don’t know a lot about fabrics, you always have the option to research before you go browsing, or even ask the professionals while you’re out shopping.
Polyester
Polyester is a strong synthetic fiber that is commonly used in many pieces of furniture. This fabric can handle daily use and will even last in sun exposure. Polyester’s give and resilience prevents the saggy look that many pieces often acquire over time, which would be perfect if the piece of furniture is going to be used more often than not. A polyester piece can be cleaned very easily. You can rid debris with a gentle vacuum, or a lint roller, and to rid of stains all you need is water and soap. Overall, polyester is a very sturdy material with a long lifespan, which is why it’s perfect for a home where it will be used frequently.
Leather
Leather is also a very sturdy cover, but it happens to be more expensive than polyester. It can withstand frequent use, but because it is more expensive, wear and tear might be more of a worry when it is exposed to younger children and pets. It is also easy to rid leather of debris with a gentle vacuum, but it usually requires special cleaning supplies to get rid of soiling. Leather conditioner or saddle soap is what is usually recommended to clean it, which means you would have to purchase it separately.
Acrylic
You have probably heard of acrylic nails, but have you heard of acrylic fabric? Acrylic is an imitation wool. It easily resists wear, wrinkling, soiling, and fading. The only downside to acrylic is that it may pill in areas that receive a lot of abrasion. Overall, it might be best to leave the acrylic fabric for a piece that will be used less frequently than your other pieces of furniture. For example, it could be used as a chair in a guest room, instead of a couch that everyone uses in the living room.
All of the fabrics listed above are available at Wenz Home Furniture, and more! Here at Wenz, we make sure that the piece of furniture you choose will not only fit your home, but your lifestyle as well.