10 Popular Types of Cotton Fabric For Sofa Upholstery

Struggling to choose the best cotton fabric for sofa upholstery? Say goodbye to your worries. We have covered it all.

For home décor cotton upholstery is considered one of the best fabrics for sofa upholstery regarding comfort and aesthetics. Cotton is not confined to clothing only. It is knitted and woven to create a range of fabrics that are used for, upholstery, bags, and utility as well.

Whether you are an art lover or a simplicity adorer cotton upholstery fabric assists you to show your taste in home decor.

Let’s go through the guide for various types of cotton upholstery fabric.

Basketweave Cotton Fabric For Sofa

As the name shows, basket weave cotton fabric is the design of cotton fabric that is like a basket in which you keep picnic food. The design of the basket looks attractive and plain. Moreover, the style is also known as Panama weave.  The two warp threads are interlocked under or over two weft threads.

The basketweave is an attraction for simplicity lovers. Therefore, for such people, it is the best fabric for sofa upholstery. It shows calm design and comfort. Moreover, it is loosely knitted which makes it breathable. It traps your skin and provides you with a comfortable touch. Furthermore, you can have various styles of basketweave too. Apart from breathability, it is eco-friendly as well. Talking about its appearance, the vintage feel it provides attracts most of the customers. A huge variety of colors are available from which you can choose according to your taste.

In addition, it is extremely strong and durable and can live long on your sofa. So, if you want to give a simple touch to your drawing room basketweave upholstery is one of the best picks. What is better than upholstery fabric that keeps your vintage love fresh all the time?

Canvas Cotton Fabric

Canvas cotton is a heavy-duty and plain fabric with water-resistant properties. Originally, it was used in sailing boats. Today it is used in making bags, shoes, tents, and upholstery. It is simply woven in a plain pattern. For soft texture the thread count is low. For water resistance, sometimes it is coated with polyvinyl chloride.

Have kids at home? No worries about spilling liquid as canvas cotton will prevent your couch.

The canvas cotton is smoother and fluffier to the touch. However, it is not much durable and can be harmful to the environment due to the plastic coating. An eco-friendly canvas has organic components. Make sure you buy fabric that has no plastic in it. Moreover, it is available in various colors. You can select the canvas according to your taste and style.

Apart from all that, canvas cotton is the least expensive fabric for your couch. Regarding the price, it is considered the best fabric for sofa upholstery. It is all-natural. No need to go for leather upholstery or any other expensive upholstery fabric when you can cover your couches with cheap yet good-quality canvas cotton.

Chintz Cotton Fabric

Chintz cotton is a plain fabric that varies in weight and is mostly used for decorative purposes such as in making covers of couch cushions. It is a fabric that is woven with cotton and to give it a glossy shine, 50% viscous and 50% polyester is added as well. So, it’s not purely cotton fabric but is considered better for furniture upholstery regarding the patterns.

In appearance, it is quite attractive as beautiful flowers and patterns are printed on it. You can find beautiful floral patterns in various colors to suit your room. It is not only confined to floral patterns as you can find geometrical designs as well. The beautiful pattern with a glossy look gives a fresh touch to your furniture and environment as well. Regarding aesthetics, Chintz is considered the best fabric for sofa upholstery.  Moreover, it also comes in single-color fabric.

Chintz cotton upholstery fabric is characterized by its sturdiness.  It does not rip or tear easily and can last long. So, if you have a deep love of nature, you can get printed chintz fabric for your couches and cushions. What’s better than nature in your drawing room too?

Corduroy Cotton Fabric

Originally, corduroy is purely made from cotton. It is made of a soft pile that is evenly spaced in the vertical direction. The pattern in which rows are arranged is called a wale or cord. Due to its different lengths, it is categorized into feather cord, pinwale, regular wale, wide wale, and brad wale.

Currently, corduroy is a blend of cotton and some artificial fabrics such as polyester.  It can be also made of wool, however, the ridges in wool make it less durable.

Initially, manufacturers used corduroy fabric for clothing only. However, with the passage of time, its uses increased. Today it is used as an upholstery fabric as well.

It is soft to the touch. You get a comfortable feel on your sofa with corduroy. You can pick it from a variety of colors.

Corduroy is the best cotton upholstery fabric for people who love soft things. Moreover, it is breathable as well. To give a cozy touch to your drawing room go for corduroy.

Damask Upholstery Fabric

Damask fabric is named after its origin Damascus. It is adorned by people due to its reversible pattern and ornateness.  It is prized high regarding complex designs. However, today with machines designs and patterns can be created conveniently and it has made it the best fabric for sofa upholstery.

Originally it is made of wool, silk, and cotton. Apart from that, it is available in multi-color to cover every taste.

In appearance, it looks classic and brings the shade of the past. Its nature is decorative in its designs. Therefore, it is widely used in home décor. Curtains, cushions, and sofas with damask cotton upholstery fabric give your home a classical look. Moreover, it is quite durable and sturdy thus best for the furniture that gets worn in routine.

One of the best features of a damask is that it is reversible. The pattern on the fabric is visible on both sides. So you can change the sides if one side gets weary. Knitted with the satin weaving technique, it gives a lustrous shine. If you are a complex design lover, then damask is for you. What’s better than having beautifully patterned furniture in a simple home?

Herringbone Cotton Fabric

Herringbone is one of the best types of cotton fabric. It is named after herring fish. The pattern and design of its weaving resemble the backbone of the fish.  The arrow-shaped pattern looks attractive and gives a stylish touch to the fabric. The patterns seem tough and opaque which shows class and gives a glam to your furniture. It gives your room a distinctive look.

Herringbone cotton is easy to maintain and clean. The positive point that makes it stand out among various cotton fabrics is that it hides the stains well. Sometimes it seems as if stains are part of the design. Therefore, no need to frequently wash it. Moreover, it is durable and sturdy. It’s a fabric that never goes out of style. Normally, people get rid of it when they are tired of it. It does not get weary ever.

In conclusion, it is the most classical cotton fabric that has stayed in fashion for years.  Furthermore, it is available in a variety of colors. You can choose the color you want for your furniture. It can be easily maintained, the fabric is soft and breathable, and the best fabric for sofa upholstery.

So, if you want a classy as well as comfortable drawing room then pick herringbone cotton upholstery fabric.

Jacquard Cotton Fabric

Jacquard fabric is made using a jacquard loom which features complex patterns in the fabric. It’s a heavyweight fabric for upholstery. It feels soft to the touch and it is made of natural materials silk and cotton. Synthetic jacquard fabric is also available in various designs and patterns. The patterns are raised which increases the beauty of the fabric and it is one of the main reasons why people adore it.

It is highly prized due to its complex patterns and designs. However, today computerized jacquard production is used. It affects the cost. Moreover, it is sturdy and durable. With its wrinkle-resistant property, it can be used in several projects such as clothing and upholstery fabric.  Available in various textures and colors, the jacquard is dense and multi-layered.

For stylish home décor jacquard cotton upholstery is one of the best fabrics for sofa upholstery picks. The best part of jacquard cotton fabric is that the pattern and design are not printed. Therefore, there are no chances of design fading away. It is fit for people with classical aesthetics. The designs and patterns on the fabric are eye-catching. Your room looks attractive and serene at the same time.

Plaid Cotton Fabric

Plaid cotton consists of strips of two or more colors that intersect each other in such a way that squares are formed. The plaid style began in the 1500s and still is in fashion. The plaid cotton design though evolved yet it is loved for its classic touch. The strips of two or more colors crossing each other give an attractive touch to your furniture. It is available in designs like windowpanes, small squares, gingham, and argyle.

Plaid cotton fabric is easy to maintain and clean. You can wash it with cold water and dry it clean to get the stains off. Moreover, it is breathable. Besides breathability, it is quite durable and lasts long. Sometimes it shows wrinkles and can shrink. The reason is that it may be purely made of cotton. Sometimes manufacturers blend cotton with other materials to get the Plaid cotton which does not shrink when washed.

As it is an old fashion that remains always in trend, therefore, it provides a classical look to your furniture and room as well. In addition, it is soft and comfortable. For your sofa, you can get a cozy touch with plaid cotton fabric. People normally love to buy classy furniture as it increases the value of their rooms and keeps their childhood memory fresh. Missing your childhood sofas? Try plaid cotton upholstery fabric and keep your memory fresh!

Cotton Velvet Fabric

Velvet which is also known as velveteen is a multi-layered fabric with piles that are quite soft to the touch. All the threads in velvet are closed together. It is a fabric that gives a royal feel to your furniture. In past, it was purely made of cotton. Although, velvet today is a combination of other materials such as synthetic fibers yet it is the sleekest and softest fabric among all types of man-made fabrics. Apart from its structure, it is quite expensive.

As care is important for every kind of fabric, velvet demands the same for its maintenance. Velvet gives shelter to dust. Therefore, it is necessary to be cleaned regularly. You can use a vacuum cleaner and steamer to get rid of the dust. Moreover, we have written a complete DIY guide on how to remove stains from cotton fabric. In this way, you can keep your velvet cotton fabric alive for years.  Apart from cleaning, the disadvantage of velvet is that it fades. To prevent your couch from fading, try to keep it in a place where there is no direct sunlight.

Available in various colors, velvet increases the aesthetic value of your drawing room. Therefore, it is one of the best fabrics for sofa upholstery. It gives a luxurious touch to your surroundings. It can be used with various décor styles. In cold seasons it is warm and comfortable upholstery fabrics for furniture. For giving a cozy, luxurious, and serene look to your room, pick velvet and make your furniture lush.

Windowpane Cotton Fabric

Windowpane cotton consists of vertical and horizontal lines which intersect each other and makes small or large windowpanes. It is soft to the touch and gives a comfortable feel. It gives a stylish touch to your furniture and surroundings. The furniture looks classy and gives an eye-catching view of your drawing room. It’s a simple sofa cover style that is available in various colors.

However, most people prefer light colors when choosing a window-pane fabric.

Besides this, the windowpane fabric for upholstery is breathable. As it is a color effect that is woven into the fabric, therefore its maintenance depends on the type of the fabric. Some fabrics are convenient to take care of while others need some special attention. Moreover, the fabric is sometimes not woven tightly. It causes it to wrinkle.

It is easy to clean. You can wash it with cold water and dry it in a dryer.  For special care, you can read the instruction for washing it. Overall, it is easy to take care of. Whether you have a sofa for a small room or a sofa set for your huge drawing room. The windowpane will suit any corner of your room. To show simplicity and seriousness go for windowpane cotton upholstery fabric.

What to Consider While Buying Cotton Fabric for Sofa Upholstery?

There are a few things you should consider before buying cotton upholstery fabric. First, try to get a fabric with a higher thread count. The thread count shows how tightly the fabric has been woven. Secondly, try to pick a fabric that is a mix of natural and artificial materials. For example, cotton blend fabric is made of cotton and synthetic fiber. These fabrics are better for upholstery as they are durable.

Purely cotton fabrics are good for maintenance. You can go for pure natural fabrics if you are more inclined towards wear and tear. Moreover, such natural fabrics are prone to absorbing dust as well. As a trade-off is to be done in any case, choose the fabric according to your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cotton used as Upholstery Fabric?

As cotton is a breathable and abrasion-resistant fabric, therefore, it is considered a good choice for upholstery. It is available in various patterns and designs. However, some of the cotton upholstery fabrics are not purely made of cotton.

Moreover, some of these fabrics are a blend of natural cotton and artificial fabric threads. The blend is made to keep the fabric sturdy.

Which Cotton Type is Best for Sofa Upholstery?

You will barely find a fabric for upholstery that is purely made of cotton. All the cotton fabrics for upholstery are a blend of synthetic fibers. The mixture is done to keep the cotton sturdy and in most cases wrinkle-free. The best cotton for upholstery is the one that has more threads per square as it ensures its long life span. Moreover, go for a cotton fabric that has more breathability.

Is Cotton the Softest Sofa Fabric?

Cotton stands out in all types of upholstery fabrics regarding its comfort and softness. Moreover, it is easy to dye and weave. It is best for those who are allergic to chemically made fabrics.

Final Words

Cotton is one of the earliest used fabrics for furniture. Undoubtedly, cotton is still considered the best fabric for sofa upholstery. It has unmatched sleekness and softness. For a comfortable touch to your home, cotton upholstery fabric plays an exemplary role. You can choose from a variety of cotton fabrics for upholstery. The best cotton for upholstery is blended cotton as it provides better durability.