Buying Guide - Material
Fabric Sofas and Chairs
Chenille is a soft, textured fabric known for its plush, velvety feel and subtle sheen, making it a popular choice for sofas. It is the most tactile fabric and is durable, comfortable whilst adding warmth and depth to any living space. Available in a variety of colours and patterns, chenille combines practicality with a cosy, inviting aesthetic.
Velvet is a luxurious, soft fabric commonly used on sofas for its rich texture and elegant appearance. It adds depth and sophistication to a room, is comfortable to sit on, and is available in a wide range of colours—from muted neutrals to bold jewel tones. Modern velvets are often durable and stain-resistant, making them suitable for both stylish and practical living spaces.
Microfiber is a tightly woven synthetic fabric often used in sofas and upholstery for its durability and soft, suede-like feel. It's highly resistant to stains, spills, and fading, making it ideal for family homes or high-traffic areas. Microfiber is also easy to clean, comfortable to sit on, and available in a wide range of colours and textures, combining practicality with style.
Flatweave fabrics are tightly woven, durable materials often used on sofas for a clean, textured look. They are hard-wearing, easy to maintain, and ideal for high-traffic areas, while offering a subtle, stylish appearance. Available in a range of colours and patterns, flatweaves combine practicality with a timeless, versatile aesthetic.
Wool is a natural, durable fabric often used on sofas for its warmth, softness, and breathable qualities. It is hard-wearing, naturally stain-resistant, and maintains its shape over time, making it ideal for everyday use. Available in a range of colours and textures, wool adds a cosy, classic, and inviting feel to any living space.
Leather-look fabrics replicate the appearance and texture of genuine leather while offering added practicality. They are durable, easy to clean, and resistant to scratches and spills, making them ideal for family homes or high-traffic areas. Available in a range of colours and finishes, leather-look upholstery combines the stylish appeal of leather with low-maintenance convenience.
Cotton is a natural, soft, and breathable fabric commonly used on sofas, offering a comfortable and versatile finish. It has a unique texture and look, but is the least hard-wearing of upholstery fabrics and can be prone to creasing, so it requires careful maintenance for long-lasting use.
Linen is a natural, lightweight fabric prized for its cool, breathable feel and casual, textured look. It is durable, hypoallergenic, and perfect for warmer climates, making it ideal for comfortable, relaxed seating. Available in a range of colours and patterns, linen adds an elegant, airy aesthetic to sofas, though it may wrinkle over time and benefits from gentle care to maintain its appearance.
Upon delivery, your interiors, especially foam seats, will feel firmer than those in the showroom. This is because, unlike in stores, they're brand new and need breaking in. There's no need for concern as they'll soften by about 30% during the first 3 months depending on frequency of use.
If your furniture is in constant use, all reversible cushions should be turned daily, constantly switching positions where possible. This will help maximise performance and prevent excessive soiling, uneven wear and keep the interiors in shape.
If the cushions are not reversible, or if you find the seams twisting, reset by stroking and manipulating the cover back into place.
If your interiors consist of a fibre or feather-filled combination, then a regular dressing programme must be practised, as these fillings do provide a casual, lived-in appearance. This involves the "plumping up" of all applicable cushions (as you would with pillows) on a daily basis, in order to fill out the cushion casing.
If fibre or feather interiors are allowed to settle and matt together, the comfort and appearance of the cushion will be substantially affected, giving the cushion a flat or lumpy and uneven appearance. This can be corrected by a vigorous shaking and manipulation to separate the fillings. For best results open the zip of the cushion to allow air into the fillings.
Any zipped-on arm and back cushions should be detached from the frame to aid the dressing process.
After use, always smooth out the fabric surface to prevent permanent creases being formed.
Leather Sofas & Chairs
Enables us to make the most economical use of the hide. A pigment is used to cover most of the natural imperfections which exist in every hide. The grain is then embossed onto the hide and a protective coating is applied, which gives good wear characteristics and high resistance to fading, staining and scratching. This category is particularly easy to care for and is the most durable.
This is the most expensive type of leather made from the most carefully selected hides. Dye is impregnated into the hide and the surface remains natural with no artificial finish. It is the softest and most pure looking leather with all the variations in shade and markings shown clearly. Because it does not have any surface finish it has low resistance to light and is more absorbent to staining.
Similar to aniline, semi-aniline has the added advantage of a light, protective topcoat with added pigments, making it more durable, stain-resistant, and easier to clean, but slightly less natural-feeling than full aniline. However, most natural marks and shade variations are still visible, but it balances a natural look with practical resilience.
These are natural hides with a protective oil or waxed coating which can be replenished with use. This finish gives a "lived-in look", highlighting the natural characteristics of the leather. It will also show a distinct colour / shade variation from panel to panel. The leather will appear paler when stretched or pulled. It is prone to scratching.
Avoid placing your leather furniture near a radiator or similar heat source, or air conditioning unit, as this can cause drying out of the leather and a subsequent reduction in suppleness. In addition, joints can dry out causing the frame to creak. Try to maintain a minimum distance of 20–30 cm between your furniture and the heat source.
Avoid exposure to direct sunlight, as this can cause fading.
Do not allow dust to build up excessively as this will have an abrasive effect on the finish of the leather and could eventually lead to problems with cracking and peeling of the finish.
Protect your furniture from damaging hair products and certain tanning products as these can contaminate the leather leading to colour loss and peeling. Certain medications can also have a similar effect; chemicals from these can be transferred from our pores leading to colour loss, especially where we perspire. Please note that animal coats contain quantities of abrasive oils that accelerate wear and have the same effect.
Watch out for sharp objects like buckles, toys, and claws of pets as they can scuff and scratch the surface. Nevertheless these can often be repaired by a leather specialist.
Suggestions for different Lifestyles & Situations
For young families, ideal sofas prioritise durability, easy cleaning, and comfort, with top choices including performance fabrics (microfiber, treated cotton), leather (easy wipe-down), or sofas with removable, washable slipcovers, often in darker or patterned colours to hide stains, with features like modularity or deep seats for family lounging.
Sectional or modular sofas allow you to reconfigure sections as your family grows or your needs change, offering flexibility. Opt for 3-seater, 4-seater, or larger corner/U-shaped sofas to fit everyone comfortably for movie nights or gatherings. A matching footstool or ottoman can hide toys, blankets, and other clutter, and some modular sofas offer built-in consoles or extended seating for added convenience.
A sofa is highly suitable for a conservatory, as it can transform the space into a comfortable, inviting, and versatile living area. When selected with the conservatory's unique environmental conditions in mind, a sofa provides a perfect spot for relaxation, entertaining, or enjoying the garden views year-round.
To ensure a sofa is suitable for a conservatory, consider fluctuating temperatures and high levels of sunlight. Opt for materials that can withstand UV exposure and temperature changes without fading or cracking. Leather can work well, as it stays cool and is easy to clean, but it requires regular conditioning to prevent drying and cracking in direct sun. UV-resistant fabrics and light-coloured natural fabrics with removable, washable covers are also good options.
Choose a size appropriate for the room to avoid overwhelming the space. Placing the sofa near a window to maximise views is ideal, and using blinds or throws can help protect it from harsh, direct sunlight during peak hours.
For kitchens, the ideal sofa is durable, easy to clean, and sized to fit the space, with options ranging from corner/L-shaped sofas for zoning, compact loveseats for smaller areas, modular pieces for flexibility, to sofa beds or built-in benches for extra function.
Materials like leather, performance fabrics, or removable covers handle spills and wear, while features such as high legs and built-in storage aid cleaning and practicality. When choosing a kitchen sofa, focus on function first, create visual zones to separate cooking and living areas, and select a size and style that maintains flow without overcrowding the space.
Here's some advice if you need it. Otherwise, let's move on to picking the right size.
