How to Choose the Best Upholstery Fabric for a Hotel


  A hotel is a place where many visitors come every day. Therefore, all hotel furniture and accessories should be in pristine condition. It is worth choosing wisely materials for furnishings. Upholstery materials are available in many colours and patterns. Many of them are very durable and aesthetic. Thanks to them, old furniture can look like new, straight from the furniture showroom. In this article, you can learn what to consider when choosing furniture upholstery material for hospitality purposes that will be durable for many years.

Natural and Artificial Upholstery Fabrics

  Upholstery fabrics can be natural and artificial materials. Upholstered furniture may be durable or less durable. The type of fabric also affects their stain resistance. Modern nylon fibres are very popular because of their durability. It is also easy to clean because it is reluctant to absorb moisture. When used with upholstered furniture, it can bring many benefits. A corner cover with such material will be durable and easy to maintain. 

  The most durable upholstery fabrics of natural origin are natural leather. Leather upholstered furniture is very easy to keep clean. Their disadvantages are high prices. However, leather is very durable. No liquid is absorbed, which makes the upholstery easy to clean. When buying upholstered furniture, it is worth considering the above factors. If, on the other hand, you are satisfied with the properties of natural leather but not necessarily the price, you can choose upholstery material in the form of ecological leather. It is less durable but also easy to clean.

Types of Fibres

  We distinguish artificial fibres produced in chemical processes such as cellulose and viscose. The second type is synthetic fibres made from scratch from synthetic polymers in the polymerisation process, such as polyester, polypropylene, elastane, polyurethane or acrylic. Natural fibres are those derived from natural plant or animal raw materials, such as cotton, silk, jute, linen or wool. On tags, manufacturers often use abbreviations to denote the composition of the fabric.

Among the most commonly used, we distinguish:

  • PA – polyamide
  • NY- nylon
  • PAN – polyacrylonitrile
  • PP – polypropylene
  • PU – polyurethane (e.g. eco-leather)
  • PL / PES / PE – polyester
  • PC / AC / ACR- acrylic
  • CO – cotton
  • CV or VI – viscose
  • LI – linen
  • SE – silk
  • RA – Rayon, rayon
  • EL – spandex / elastane

Flame Retardant Upholstery Fabrics

  Custom-made hotel furniture must meet users’ needs in various situations. One of them is a fire that can cause enormous damage. Therefore, for the safety of guests and employees, choose flame-retardant fabrics. Finding them will not be difficult because they have a special certificate that confirms their qualities. These fabric types do not burn but melt, which is why they are much safer. Such materials include cotton and cotton mixed with polyester. In the case of hotel interiors, it is worth using them not only in rooms but also in the hotel lobby or restaurant.

Stain Resistant Upholstery Fabrics

  You will not avoid getting dirty in the hotel. However, to deal with them quickly, it’s best to choose stain-resistant upholstery fabrics. Thanks to this, you can quickly remove the stain after visiting guests and continue to enjoy a beautiful sofa, pillow or bedding. There are many different types of easy-to-clean upholstery materials. Among them, you can find soft and natural-looking, as well as modern, with a delicate shine or more durable. They differ in properties, smoothness and structure. However, all of them have outstanding resistance to dirt and are easy to clean.

Waterproof Upholstery Fabrics

  In hotels, it can often happen that a guest spills a drink on a sofa or armchair accidentally. A special hydrophobic coating makes it difficult to absorb liquids, so with a quick reaction, you can get rid of spilt juice, coffee or wine and avoid leaving a trace. Ease of cleaning is not the only helpful feature that distinguishes fabrics of this type. Among the many advantages, one of the most significant features is resistance abrasion. The best waterproof upholstery fabrics should serve many years while maintaining the original appearance as long as possible. Some of them will work for hotels that accept pets. Easy removal of hair and high resistance to scratching is a great convenience.