Upholstery: Ideas to get it right

Fabrics and upholstery define the decorative style of a space. That’s why it’s so important to get them right. Plain, patterned, light, dark, resistant, washables… Beside the question of aesthetics, it’s important to know which fabrics are best to upholster a certain piece of furniture. If we want the upholstery to last as long as possible in a close-to-perfect state, we’ll choose fabrics that can shrug off wear and tear and that are easy to clean.   Nowadays there are many cotton fabrics, cotton and polyester fabrics, as well as linen fabrics that are very resistant, and the variety is such that choosing a specific design can be daunting. Below you’ll find 8 ideas that are sure to help you choose the right upholstery for your home.  

Plain fabrics in dark tones

Plain fabrics in neutral tones are a safe bet: they are very easy to match and it’s always possible to liven them up with patterned details either in the cushions or the curtains. Gancedo’s Tramuntana collection is a perfect example.   Dark tones have the advantage of being tougher than light ones, having a better handle on day-to-day usage, and provide a more upfront role to sofas and chairs in a design.  

Plain fabrics in light tones

We’ll continue with Gancedo’s Tramuntana collection, but in this case using lighter tones. Tramuntana is a plain, stone-washed, 100% linen fabric that plays nicely with any décor proposal and that it’s available in 10 trendy colors. The fabrics is washable and can also be used to make covers.   White and off-white upholstery can provide more lighting and even add dimension to a room, which make them ideal for smaller spaces. Velvet textures are very much in fashion, being warm and soft to the touch; they can be made out of cotton, linen, wool and polyester. Each one of these fibers confers a different look to the fabric.  

Combining plain and patterned fabrics

Why not reupholster a seat with two different fabrics, one plain and one patterned? The key is in them being within the same color spectrum. In this case, we’ve chosen two designs from Gancedo’s Port Lligat collection: Ciprés Lima and Celulosa II, a cellulose fiber fabric. I love the thumbtack details around the upholstery for a fresh but classic look. Actually, in most cases, thumbtacks are placed over the staples to achieve a better and more elegant finish, although there are some instances where the fabric is stapled to the chair or seat from the inside and thumbtacks are used purely as décor elements.  

Mixing patterns

Trends in the fashion industry affect in one way or another the trends in interior design, and the mix of patterns that crop up in the runways are echoed in furniture upholstery.   In this case, we’ve played with two fabrics from the Sojourn Prints and Embroideries collection from Sanderson: Lilium, in the back, with a mix of viscous and linen, and Poppy Damask, cotton and linen with discreet patterns. Choosing two strong patterns can be a bit overwhelming, which is why it’s better to combine a larger print with another, more discreet pattern.  

How to combine sofa and seat upholstery

Mixing plain fabrics with textured designs, different colors and patterns will provide visual richness to the ensemble. To achieve a smooth and harmonic mix, the ideal scenario is one in which the color of the carpet and the cushions match the upholstery.   In this room, fabrics from the Sojourn Prints and Embroideries collection by Sanderson: Poppy Damask, in the sofa, and Starla, in the seat and cushions.  

Stripes and plaids

Thin stripes, thick stripes, bi-color stripes, multicolor ones, diplomatic stripes, a thousand stripes and even plaids… One of the keys to combining plaids and stripes is to always choose similar tones. It’s also common practice to not combine more than two different patterns, in order to avoid the risk of overloading the space. With stripes and plaids it’ll be more than enough.   In the photograph: the Brittania collection by Ian Mankin in Gancedo; Oban Check in the curtains, Dundee Cream in the sofa and Regency Peony stripes on the table.  

Big patterns

To avoid overloading, use big patterns on auxiliary furniture, like chairs or seats, and complements. Don’t be afraid to mix different motifs, as long as they are within the same chromatic scale. Just be sure to choose a plain fabric for the sofa, in order to keep things light. This seat is upholstered with Myanmar from Voyage.  

Decorating with floral patterns

Big, small, stamped, embroidered… flowers are the perfect print to add a romantic and feminine touch to a design. Generally speaking, we associate them with spring décor, but the truth is that floral patterns are a classic that will suit any season, all year round.   For this showcase, the Chesham Cabinet collection by Liberty London: fabrics and painted papers inspired by 1800s textiles, with beautiful, very British prints.   At any rate, if you still have doubts as to which is the best choice to upholster your home, the professionals that work in our stores will be glad to guide your selection.