Chairs are some of the hardest working pieces of furniture in any home. From dining chairs and kitchen seating to armchairs, office chairs and accent pieces, they are sat on, leaned against, spilled on and exposed to daily wear. Over time, even the best upholstery begins to show signs of use such as fading, stains, sagging fabric or simply a style that no longer suits your space.
Reupholstering your chairs is one of the most effective ways to refresh your decor without replacing the furniture itself. The right fabric can transform comfort, durability and appearance, giving your chairs a new lease of life.
At Foam and Covers, we specialise in made to measure chair covers and bespoke upholstery, handcrafted in the UK using premium fabrics for every room and lifestyle. This guide explains everything you need to know when choosing the perfect fabric for reupholstering chairs, including durability, stain resistance, style, maintenance and UK safety requirements.
Why Choosing the Right Upholstery Fabric Matters
Chair upholstery is not just about aesthetics. The fabric you choose affects durability, comfort, maintenance, longevity and style. Reupholstering allows you to keep the furniture you love while upgrading its performance and appearance. With the right fabric, your chairs can last for years, even in busy family homes.
What Makes a Good Upholstery Fabric: Key Factors to Consider
1. Durability (Martindale Rub Count)
The Martindale Test measures how many rubs a fabric can withstand before showing wear.
- Light use (accent chairs): 15,000 to 20,000 rubs
- Heavy use (dining, office, everyday seating): 20,000 to 30,000+ rubs.
For high traffic chairs, look for tightly woven synthetics, performance fabrics or wool blends, as these resist pilling, tearing and stretching better than delicate natural fibres.
2. Lifestyle and Daily Use
Homes with pets and kids should avoid loose weaves, linen and textured chenille. Better options include performance fabrics, FibreGuard or EasyClean materials, faux leather, vinyl and tight weave polyester blends. These resist claws, spills and stains far better than traditional fabrics.
Dining and kitchen chairs face inevitable spills. Prioritise wipe clean fabrics, stain resistant synthetics, leather, faux leather and vinyl.
3. Room Conditions
Sunlight exposure can fade natural fibres like linen and cotton. Choose UV resistant synthetics, solution dyed acrylics or outdoor grade fabrics for chairs near windows.
In humid rooms such as kitchens or conservatories, avoid moisture retaining natural fibres. Opt for polyester, acrylic, olefin or performance blends.
4. Chair Style and Shape
Some chairs require more flexible or forgiving fabrics. Curved backs or deep tufting benefit from fabrics with slight stretch. Bold patterns require extra fabric for pattern matching. Small dining seats look better with small scale prints.
5. UK Fire Safety Regulations
Upholstery fabric for UK homes must comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations. You can choose fabrics that are pre treated FR or use a fire retardant liner between the foam and fabric. Loose drop in dining seat pads are typically exempt.
Learn more in our comprehensive guide to furniture fabrics to discover how choosing the right furniture upholstery can transform your home.
Best Fabrics for Different Types of Chairs
1. Dining Chairs
Dining chairs face constant friction, spills and daily use. The best fabrics include wipe clean fabrics, performance polyester blends, leather, faux leather, vinyl and hard wearing synthetics. Avoid linen, open weaves and untreated cotton.
2. Kitchen Chairs
Kitchen chairs are exposed to grease, moisture and heavy use. Choose wipe clean fabrics, ultra hard wearing fabrics, vinyl and coated microfibres.
3. Accent Chairs
Accent chairs are ideal for adding texture and personality. Suitable fabrics include velvet (especially polyester velvet), wool blends, heavy cottons and textured weaves.
4. Armchairs and Lounge Chairs
Comfort matters, but durability is still important. Good options include chenille, polyester blends, performance fabrics, faux leather and wool blends.
5. Office Chairs
Office seating experiences constant friction and long sitting periods. Choose ultra hard wearing fabrics, breathable synthetics, mesh compatible materials and tight weave polyester.
6. Bench Seats and Window Seats
These often sit in bright rooms and are used daily. The best fabrics include washable fabrics, UV resistant synthetics, canvas and performance blends.
7. Homes with Pets and Kids
Durability and stain resistance are essential. Choose fabrics designed for pets and kids, FibreGuard or EasyClean materials, faux leather, microfibre and vinyl. Avoid boucle, loose weaves and delicate natural fibres.
Fabric Types Explained: Pros, Cons and Best Uses
Natural Fabrics
- Cotton: Soft, breathable and versatile but less durable than synthetics. Best for light use chairs.
- Linen: Elegant, textured and breathable but prone to creasing and staining. Best for decorative chairs.
- Wool: Naturally durable and stain resistant, warm and resilient. Great for accent and lounge chairs.
Synthetic Fabrics
- Polyester: Durable, fade resistant and easy to clean. Ideal for dining, office and family seating.
- Acrylic: Soft and fade resistant. Great for sunny rooms.
- Olefin: Quick drying and stain resistant. Excellent for high traffic seating.
Performance Fabrics
Includes FibreGuard, EasyClean and Aquaclean style materials. Benefits include stain resistance, water repellence, high durability and easy cleaning with water and mild soap. Ideal for families, pets and dining areas.
Leather and Faux Leather
Wipes clean easily, extremely durable and ages beautifully. Ideal for dining and office chairs.
Velvet
Luxurious, soft and elegant. Polyester velvet is highly durable. Best for accent and lounge chairs.
Eco Friendly Fabrics
Foam and Covers offer organic cotton, hemp, linen, bamboo and recycled microfibres. These are sustainable without compromising style or durability.
How to Choose the Right Fabric for Your Project
Match Fabric to Usage
- Dining: Wipe clean, vinyl, leather, performance synthetics
- Kitchen: Ultra hard wearing, wipe clean, coated microfibre
- Accent: Velvet, wool, textured weaves
- Armchair: Chenille, polyester blends, faux leather
- Office: Ultra hard wearing, breathable synthetics
- Bench: Washable, UV resistant, canvas
- Pets and kids: Performance fabrics, faux leather, microfibre.
Colour and Pattern
Light colours show stains more easily. Dark colours hide wear. Large patterns suit large chairs. Small seats need small scale prints. Pattern matching requires extra fabric.
Maintenance
Choose based on your lifestyle. Machine washable fabrics suit busy homes. Wipe clean fabrics are ideal for dining, kids and pets. Spot clean only fabrics are best for decorative chairs.
Foam and Covers: Made to Measure Chair Covers and Expert Upholstery Support
With over 25 years of experience, Foam and Covers provide handcrafted UK made covers, bespoke sizing for any chair shape, hundreds of fabrics, expert advice on foam and fabric selection and exceptional customer service including measurement checks, design guidance and personalised support. Customers consistently praise the precise fit, durability and comfort of both the foam and the covers.
Explore Fabric Ranges at Foam and Covers
You can browse wipe clean fabrics, fabrics for pets and kids, ultra hard wearing fabrics, eco friendly fabrics and washable fabrics. Each range is curated for durability, style and long lasting performance.
How to Order Your Custom Chair Covers
- Measure seat width, depth and thickness
- Check corner shape (square, rounded or angled)
- Choose your fabric
- Upload photos if needed
- Use the instant quote tool
- Enjoy fast UK delivery.
Every cover is tailored to your exact measurements for a perfect fit.
Final Thoughts
The right upholstery fabric can completely transform your chairs, improving comfort, durability and style while extending the life of your furniture. Whether you are refreshing dining chairs, upgrading an accent chair or reupholstering a family favourite, choosing the right material makes all the difference. With premium fabrics, expert guidance and handcrafted UK made covers, Foam and Covers make it easy to give your chairs a beautifully tailored, long lasting finish.
Ready to Transform Your Chairs with the Right Fabric?
Start with an instant online quote tailored to your measurements using our straightforward form.
Contact us via our online contact form if you’d like help choosing the best fabric for your chairs.
Or speak directly with our team, Monday–Friday, 8:00am–3:00pm by Telephone on 0161 327 0121 or by Mobile on +44 7435 223670.
