There’s so much to think about when buying a new sofa. Which style do you like best? What colour do you want? Where will it fit in your room? Do you want a spacious corner sofa or a cosy 2-seater? But, you also need to consider the upholstery, and more specifically, which type works best for you.
Our extensive collection of sofas are available in a wide range of durable fabrics that complement our exclusively designed styles, with upholstery choices including velvet, super soft polyester, and textured weaves, along with genuine leather for a timeless, luxe finish.
To help you decide which upholstery is best for you, read on to discover everything you need to consider when choosing your next sofa or soft seating.
Family-friendly fabrics
Your sofa shouldn’t be reserved for formal kid-free zones. When your home life centres around children, friends, family, and entertaining, make sure your sofa upholstery is ready to take on your busy schedule.
Many of our fabrics have been subjected to a clever process called the Martindale Test, because with family life, wearability and texture are so important. This test uses special machinery to determine how long a fabric will last on a sofa without showing wear. We only use fabric upholstery that has achieved a rating for heavy domestic use, making it perfect for children and adults alike.
Darker coloured fabrics are incredibly forgiving when you have kids. They’re perfect for disguising everyday messes, and are incredibly hard wearing – no matter how many cheeky monkeys decide to use your sofa cushions as indoor trampolines.
For your four-legged friends
For those of us with furry friends, keeping a sofa looking fresh can be a challenge, no matter the upholstery. Thankfully, we’ve created leather and fabric care kits which cover you for most pet-related incidents. With a mild cleanser, fresh stain remover, old or resistant stain cleaner, plus grease and oil cleanser and a deodoriser, no matter how messy your furry friend is, you can still keep your sofa looking like new.
If you don’t have a cleaning kit, a top industry secret for cleaning up small stains and dirt in a pinch is baby wipes. They don’t have any harsh chemicals that will damage the fibres, and are great at dealing with life’s little messes.
Longing for leather
Whether you favour classic or contemporary design, our leather sofas cover the whole design spectrum to offer comfortable and stylish seating that works for every home.
It’s also a great choice for everyday living. Its wipeable surface is easy to keep clean and it is incredibly durable. Our leather sofas are upholstered all over in genuine leather that takes on a beautiful character as they age.
Luxurious velvet
Montgomery sofa | @renovationtowers
Velvet is a hugely popular choice for sofas and easily adds a luxe finish to any room. The tactile fabric brings a regal touch that works beautifully in jewel tones, understated neutrals or statement brights.
If the idea of a velvet sofa is too much, try a velvet loveseat or armchair as an accent piece in living rooms, kitchen/diners or bedrooms. Contrary to what many people think, velvet is a durable choice that’s hard-wearing and designed to stand the test of time.
Always on the move
Malvern modular sofa | @budgethomeinterior_
For renters, or those planning on moving house, finding a sofa that will work across decor schemes and different room configurations can seem impossible, but clever upholstery choices can make this easier.
If you’ve found a sofa that you love and find comfortable, you’ve already done the hard work. The best way to make sure it looks great through all your home moves is to choose a neutral base colour for the upholstery, that will work no matter the space.
Inject a personal touch with accessories that reflect your home now, and know you can change it up for the future. Picking a smaller or more compact sofa is another great tip for making it last through several moves. Or, if you’re looking for something larger, modular sofas – made of individual units that can be configured or reconfigured into the shape you want – offer great flexibility.
We offer a wide range of soothing neutral colours and sofa sizes that are an ideal choice for people on the move. Plus, many of our sofas come with scatter cushions in reversible patterns, making it easy to change your sofa style.
Choosing the best upholstery shouldn’t be a chore. At the end of the day, the most important thing to do is to choose a high quality sofa that you love.
Browse our complete selection of sofas and find the one that’s right for you. Plus, we now offer a lifetime frame guarantee on all sofas and armchairs.
We’d love to see your Oak Furnitureland sofa in its new home. Tag us at #OakFurnitureland on Instagram to share your stylish pics.
