Upholstery fabric is any textile used to cover the seats, backs and arms of chairs, sofas, stools and other upholstered furniture. It must be strong enough to withstand constant wear and friction, so traditional upholstery fabrics tend to be closely woven, heavier cloths of wool, silk, linen, cotton or blends, alongside leather and horsehair.
The choice of fabric has always reflected fashion and status. Seventeenth-century seat furniture was often covered in turkeywork, needlework, velvet or leather, while the eighteenth century favoured silk damask, cut velvet, tapestry and horsehair, the last being especially practical for dining chairs. Printed cottons, chintz and toile became popular for less formal rooms, and the Victorians used rich velvets, plush, deep-buttoned leather and Berlin woolwork. The Arts and Crafts movement brought woven and printed fabrics by William Morris and his contemporaries. When reupholstering antique furniture, many owners choose fabrics appropriate to the period and style of the frame, though contemporary textiles can work well on classic shapes. Collectors value surviving original upholstery for its rarity and historical interest, even when worn, as it can reveal how a piece was first presented.
