When it comes to choosing the right upholstery fabric for your home, there are a lot of options to consider:

You’ve got everything from traditional cotton and linen to modern synthetic materials, and it can be overwhelming to decide.

However, for families who are constantly on the go and need furniture that can stand up to the demands of daily life, performance upholstery fabrics are the clear choice.

Why’s that, you ask?

To start, performance upholstery fabrics are designed with busy families in mind, offering a combination of durability, ease of maintenance, versatility, and affordability that’s hard to match in other upholstery fabrics.

• Do you love to drink red wine on the sofa during movie night?

• Do the kids love to jump on the couch or build cushion forts?

• Is your sofa the dog’s literal every moment hangout?

If yes was the answer to any of these questions, performance upholstery fabrics are the ideal choice for you because they can withstand the wear and tear of daily use, and then some…

If you can’t tell already, I’m a big fan of performance fabrics.

In this post, I'll explore the benefits of performance upholstery fabrics and why they’re the right choice for families, or anyone who wants the peace of mind they offer.

I’ll cover their durability and resistance to stains and spills, their versatility and affordability. I’ll tell you all the reasons why you should consider using performance upholstery fabrics in your home.

There’s a lot to cover. Let’s get into why performance upholstery fabrics are the perfect choice for busy families.

First off let’s talk about what these fabrics are usually made of.

They’re typically made from synthetic fibers such as

• polyester

• nylon

• and polypropylene.

These fibers offer several benefits over natural fibers like cotton and wool. But the most important considerations are:

Durability:

Performance fabrics are designed to withstand the wear and tear that comes with daily use, making them an ideal choice for families with kids and pets.

The fact that they’re made from high-quality synthetic materials, means they’re resistant to stains, spills, and fading, ensuring that your furniture will look great for years to come.

Additionally, performance upholstery fabrics are designed to withstand frequent use without showing signs of wear and tear. (This can be measured by the “double-rub” test, commonly used in the upholstered furniture industry. That means that the fabrics are put through a series of many thousand of “rubs” simulating daily use and wear to test the fabrics resistance to breaking down.)

Through testing like this, performance fabrics have shown to be highly resistant to abrasion, which means that they will not tear or wear down quickly even with constant use.

This certainly makes them an ideal choice for families who need furniture that can withstand all-the-things, without sacrificing style and comfort.

Easy to Clean:

For busy families, having furniture that’s easy to clean is essential. This is where the benefits of performance upholstery fabrics shine.

These fabrics are designed to be easily cleaned with just a damp cloth, eliminating the need for expensive cleaning services, and saving you time and money in the long run.

Whether it's a spill from a juice glass, a smudge from a pet, or a little dirt from daily use, performance upholstery fabrics are designed to be wiped down quickly and easily, without leaving any residue or stains behind.

And many performance upholstery fabrics are also treated with special coatings that make them resistant to spills, stains, and bacteria, providing an extra layer of protection against everyday messes. This means that your furniture will stay looking and smelling fresh, even with frequent use.

Blends of synthetic and natural fibers are gaining in popularity:

Some performance fabrics may also be made from blends of natural and synthetic fibers to provide a combination of durability and comfort.

Versatility:

These fabrics are not only durable and easy to clean, but they also offer a wide range of styles and colors to choose from, making them a versatile option for any home.

Performance upholstery fabrics come in a variety of textures, patterns, and colors, allowing you to find the perfect match for your décor.

Whether you prefer a traditional look, a modern aesthetic, or something in between, there is a performance upholstery fabric that will fit your style.

Use Them in Any Room!

They are suitable for use in any room in the house, from the living room to the bedrooms, and even in high-traffic areas like the kitchen and dining room.

This means that you can use performance upholstery fabrics to create a cohesive look throughout your home, without having to sacrifice style for durability.

Affordability:

While many high-quality upholstery fabrics can be quite expensive, performance upholstery fabrics offer a cost-effective solution for families who are looking for a balance between quality and price.

Back when I sold furniture for a living, performance fabrics were the “hot” new item in our fabric library, and I can tell you that, even back then, they were on the low end of our pricing tier. That made them a popular choice, and folks I worked with were very impressed with that.

It doesn’t hurt to ask a furniture store representative about the fiber content of the performance fabric(s) that you’re considering using in your home. They should have a good handle on what will work best for you based on your lifestyle and preferences.

Here are some specific performance upholstery brands to consider:

1. Sunbrella - This brand is known for its high-quality outdoor fabrics, but they also offer a range of performance upholstery fabrics that are suitable for indoor use. Sunbrella fabrics are durable, easy to clean, and come in a variety of styles and colors.

2. Crypton - This brand is known for its high-performance fabrics that are resistant to spills, stains, and bacteria. Crypton fabrics are also easy to clean and come in a range of styles and colors.

3. Nano-Tex - This brand offers performance upholstery fabrics that are treated with a special coating that makes them resistant to spills, stains, and bacteria. Nano-Tex fabrics are also easy to clean and come in a variety of styles and colors.

4. Outdura - This brand offers high-performance outdoor upholstery fabrics that are durable, easy to clean, and suitable for use in a variety of environments. Outdura fabrics come in many styles and colors.

5. Fabricut Contract - This brand offers a range of performance upholstery fabrics that are designed for use in commercial settings but are also suitable for residential use. Fabricut Contract fabrics are durable, easy to clean, and come in lots of styles and colors.

6. Revolution brand performance fabrics are made from a blend of polyester and acrylic fibers, which provide excellent durability, stain resistance, and ease of maintenance. Revolution fabrics are also designed to be soft and comfortable, making them suitable for use in any room in the house. They come in a variety of styles and colors, making it easy to find the perfect match for your décor. Additionally, the fabrics are suitable for use in high-traffic areas, such as living rooms and dining rooms, as well as in bedrooms and other less-trafficked areas.

When making your decision, be sure to consider factors such as durability, ease of maintenance, versatility, and affordability to find the best option for your needs.

So, are performance fabrics the “perfect choice” every time? Maybe not entirely…

Drawbacks:

1. Lack of Breathability: Some performance fabrics can be less breathable than natural fibers like cotton or linen, which may make them feel less comfortable in warm weather or in rooms with high humidity. A possible solution to this is to consider getting a blended synthetic and natural fiber construction.

2. Lack of Softness: Synthetic fibers can sometimes feel less soft and luxurious than natural fibers.

3. Static Build-Up: Some performance fabrics can be prone to static buildup, which can cause clothes or hair to cling to the fabric.

4. Plastic-Like Feel: Some performance fabrics can have a plastic-like feel, which may not be appealing to some people. However, this drawback is a benefit because the “plastic” feeling fabrics are usually outdoor only fabrics that need to hold up to what mother nature dishes out.

It's important to weigh the pros and cons of performance fabrics and consider your specific needs and preferences when choosing upholstery for your home.

So, there you have it. Armed with the right, well rounded information about performance fabrics, you’ll be in a great frame of mind to make the decisions needed to get the best choice for your lifestyle, needs and goals.

Personally, I love performance fabrics for all the reasons I stated here, but most importantly because you’ll have the best chance of keeping your furniture looking fresh and new longer.

As technology advances, there are sure to be many more benefits to come in the furniture covering space.

Check back again down the line and I’ll include updates and advancements here to shine more light on new information as it happens.

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I write about small space design and decorating, sustainable furniture options, positive self care and a variety of do-it-yourself home décor.

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Michael is Principal designer and blogger at Michael Helwig Interiors in beautiful Buffalo, New York. Since 2011, he’s a space planning expert, offering online interior e-design services for folks living in small homes, or for those with awkward and tricky layouts. He’s a frequent expert contributor to many National media publications and news outlets on topics related to decorating, interior design, diy projects, and more. Michael happily shares his experience to help folks avoid expensive mistakes and decorating disappointments. You can follow him on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook @interiorsmh.