Upholstery Fabric Portal

Upholstery fabrics are designed to be much stronger and more durable than standard dressmaking or craft fabrics. They’re woven to withstand constant use, abrasion, and tension when stretched over furniture. Upholstery textiles also carry ratings (such as “heavy commercial”) to show how well they perform in demanding settings.

Most upholstery fabrics are between 137cm and 150cm wide, which is standard for the industry. This width makes them suitable for sofas, chairs, cushions, and drapery. Always check the product listing, as specialty fabrics (such as outdoor textiles or velvets) can vary.

The amount of fabric you’ll need depends on the type of furniture, its size, and whether you’re using a patterned fabric (which may require extra for matching). As a guide, recovering a dining chair seat may only need half a metre, while a lounge can take several metres. If you’re unsure, contact our team with your measurements for advice.

This is another way of describing a fabric’s durability rating, often measured by the Martindale test. A higher rub count means the fabric can withstand more wear and tear, making it better suited to busy households or commercial use. For example, a Martindale rating of 20,000 cycles may suit light domestic use, while 40,000+ cycles is recommended for heavy-duty or commercial upholstery.  

  Most upholstery fabrics are designed for spot cleaning or professional upholstery cleaning rather than machine washing. Always check the manufacturer’s care instructions, as some fabrics may be dry-clean only, while outdoor fabrics are more water-resistant and easier to maintain.

Domestic fabrics are designed for everyday household use, while commercial-grade fabrics meet stricter standards for durability, fire resistance, and stain resistance. Brands often list these ratings in the specifications, so you can choose the right fabric for your project. For example: "Heavy Commercial" 

  Some fabrics are manufactured with special stain-resistant finishes, while others are naturally more resistant to spills because of their fibre content. For example, synthetic fibres such as polyester and acrylic tend to repel moisture better than cotton or linen. Fabric suppliers like Warwick and Profile list stain resistance, fibre composition, or durability ratings (e.g. “heavy commercial”) in their specifications.

  Outdoor fabrics are engineered to handle sun, rain, and everyday wear in exterior settings. They’re often UV-stabilised, water-repellent, mould-resistant, and made from durable synthetic fibres. This makes them ideal for outdoor chairs, lounges, and cushions. Leading textile houses such as Warwick, James Dunlop, and Zepel offer specialist outdoor ranges.  

  A pattern repeat is the distance before a design (like stripes, florals, or geometrics) repeats along the length of the fabric. When upholstering with patterned fabric, seams must be matched to keep the design consistent, which means extra fabric is often required. The larger the repeat, the more fabric you’ll need. Most patterned fabrics on our website display the repeat size (excluding clearance fabrics). If it’s not listed, contact the Home Upholsterer team to confirm.  

Railroading refers to the direction a fabric pattern runs. In standard fabrics, the pattern runs down the roll lengthwise. With railroaded fabrics, the pattern runs across the roll from selvedge to selvedge. This makes it possible to cover wide furniture pieces (like sofas) without creating seams that break the design.

Yes – we recommend ordering a sample swatch before purchasing to check colour, texture, and suitability in your space. Many of our partnered brands like Warwick, Profile, James Dunlop, and Zepel offer cuttings that can be sent out on request. We also have a huge range of swatches and clearance end-of-roll fabrics available to view in our Sydney showroom, so you can see and feel the fabrics in person before you buy.