A sofa, couch, settee, chair—whatever you call it—this major piece of home furniture is a must-have for every flat. A couch doesn't only give your space some personality; it also makes your home more comfortable. A fabric sofa is chosen by many to fulfill the beauty and comfort categories. It brings a relaxed and modern feel to any space. It also comes with various colour and texture options, giving you more freedom to choose what works with your interior theme.
Buying a fabric sofa in Singapore? Read this quick guide to ensure you bring the piece home.
What is a Fabric Sofa?
A fabric sofa can be a 1-seater couch, 2-seater, three, four, or a 3+ 2 seater set. This cosy furniture can be made of various fabric materials, both natural and synthetic, and is known for its unprecedented warmth. A fabric sofa features a soft covering, plush cushioning, and supportive spring and framework that have evolved in style over the years.
With a myriad of fabric sofa options on the market, it can be really challenging to find one that fits your preferences, so it's important to narrow down your choices based on your fabric, design preference, and practical needs.
What are the Types of Fabric Sofa?
Natural Fabric Sofa
Natural fabric is made of materials from nature, like animal skin, plants, or minerals that produce fibre. The fibres are woven together to create a durable and versatile fabric. Here are some types of fabric sofas:
Cotton Fabric Sofa
Cotton is one of the cheapest and most commonly used materials for upholstered couches. Cotton fabric is chosen by many designers and homeowners because of its soft feel and absorbent property, making it easy to add colours and a variety of patterns. However, due to the same property, cotton is susceptible to stains.
Linen Fabric Sofa
Compared to cotton, linen has a slightly looser weave, giving it a more prominent texture. This is perfect for modern or contemporary style lovers who prefer adding colours and textures to their designs instead of leaning toward more intricate builds and patterns. The downside of linen sofas is that they get wrinkled quickly, thus requiring thorough maintenance.
Leather Sofa
A luxury material, genuine leather sofas are prized by generations because of their timeless sophistication and durability. Leather is highly remarkable and easy to maintain. If you're looking for the perfect show-stopping centrepiece, you can always rely on a genuine leather sofa. If searching for something within a tight budget, choose a faux leather couch that mimics the feel of the genuine variety.
Silk Fabric Sofa
Speaking of luxury, another show-stopping sofa material is silk. If furnishing an adult space, you can rely on the beauty of the fabric material. Silk sofas are smooth, vibrant, and luxurious. Remember that this material is more expensive than other sofa materials and requires careful use and maintenance.
Velvet Sofa
The velvet sofa is smooth, sumptuous, and luxurious. Its uniquely made build makes the texture one of its best selling points. Velvet is a more maintainable material than its counterpart, silk, so if you want something striking yet easier to upkeep, velvet is a good choice.
Synthetic Fabric
Synthetic or manufactured fabric sofas are created from chemical polymers that mimic the feel of natural fibre. Aside from faux leather and velvet that can be created from synthetic fibres, here are some manufactured materials used for creating sofas:
Microfiber Sofa
Microfiber is a common synthetic material used to make sofas. It is a fine polyester that provides a cosy, velvety feel. Its fibres are very thin, giving it a supple and durable feel. It is stain-resistant and budget-friendly.
Polyester Fabric
Polyester is known for being a budget-friendly option, either for clothes or furniture upholstery. This is often used with other materials like microfibre to prevent staining and wrinkling, which easily happen to polyester.
Nylon
Although rarely used alone, nylon is mixed with other fabric sofa materials to improve their quality and durability.
What Should I Look for When Shopping for Fabric Sofas?
Now that you know what types of fabrics are available on the market, it's time to understand other considerations to make an informed purchasing decision. Answer the following questions to guide you to a fulfilling sofa choice.
How Much Do You Want to Spend on Your Sofa?
Fabric sofas come in a range of styles, qualities, and prices. It can be very confusing to shop at furniture outlets or online stores if you don't have a price range in mind. Setting a budget can significantly help you narrow your choices. You can choose from high-end designer sofas and creative budget pieces based on your budget.
How and How Often Will You Use Your Sofa?
Will your living room be a busy place for entertaining, home study, and weekend bonding? Will there be kids or pets sitting on your sofa? If yes, silk sofas will obviously be your choice. High-demand living rooms will ultimately require hard-wearing fabric sofas to handle frequent use and spills. Also, if you have kids, it's important to find a piece that is hypoallergenic and safe.
What Sofa Style Do You Prefer?
Do you want your sofa to be a seamless part of your interior design, or do you want it to stand out?
Your choice of fabric and colours will determine the overall feel of your living room. If you are into minimalism, a fabric sofa with neutral colours will create a cosy and thoughtful space. If you're feeling more adventurous, you may express your creativity with a distinctive tufted sofa.
How Many People Will Use Your Sofa?
Do you need a 3-seater sofa or an L-shaped sofa? Larger sofas typically look great with simple designs and neutral colours. Of course, we also love intricate furniture that can hide spills. For larger families with kids, you can play with a larger sofa or pair multiple pieces depending on how you partition your living room. If you work in a tight space or have a large family, consider getting a storage sofa to make the most of what you have.