Choosing Fabric for Dining Room Chairs
Choosing the best material for your dining chairs could be challenging. There are so many factors to take into consideration during the purchasing process. These are designs, materials and quality of the fabrics. Some might appear appropriate but not be durable enough, and certain fabrics may not look appealing yet are sturdy enough to stand up to heavy use.
Chairs are everywhere within our homes, from bedrooms to living spaces and dining spaces. Chair-related furniture is a significant element of your home's backbone. It is essential to give the most comfortable chair care, aside from its appearance. Imagine getting a chair that age well over time. It's a treat for the eyes, isn't it? You need to choose the best chairs and covers, so we can have a chair with a cushion that lasts long.
What fabric is best for dining chairs?
Reupholstering dining room chairs is an easy way to change the look and the decor of your dining space. However, as you will use them for a long time and the chairs will be exposed to the spills of drinks and food, you must pick an appropriate fabric to use them for a long time. Let's see your options for what could be the best fabric for dining room chairs.
The fabric you choose for dining table chairs needs to be vital, resistant to stains and easy to wash. The most durable materials are:
- Cotton blend
- Polyester
- Velvet
- Vinyl
- Leather
- Faux suede
In this article, you will find information about selecting the right fabrics for dining tables and chairs, including the advantages and disadvantages of each of the fabrics listed above. Continue to read to get more information.
Dining room chairs can bring both functionality and style to your dining space. However, the design and function of the chairs are only as good as the material you choose to pair them with. Each of these fabrics is used for upholstering dining room chairs because of their practicality and availability in various designs.
Cotton Blend
Although it is a strong fabric, mixing it with synthetic materials can enhance its performance if maintained appropriately. The problem with cotton itself is that it's highly absorbent, and this isn't something you'd want for a dining chair which is exposed to spills of drinks or other liquids that come from food. Therefore, polyester and cotton can blend because polyester helps make the fabric more durable and enhances the fabric's stain- and water-resistant properties. The higher the percentage of polyester blended with cotton, the stronger the material will be. For dining room chairs, the 50/50 blend of polyester and cotton, or 60 per cent cotton and 40% polyester blend, is the best choice.
Even the blended fabrics are a bit more robust and stain-resistant. It is essential to remove the stain promptly because the high proportion of cotton makes the fabric extremely absorbent, although it is blended with polyester. Additionally, you can treat the fabric with a stain-resistant spray to reduce absorption.
Pros
Affordable
It is available in a range of styles
The material is breathable and comfortable.
Durable
Cons
Absorbent of moisture and stains.
Polyester
Another great fabric option for dining chairs is 100% polyester. Polyester is a synthetic material and one of the most durable and economic fabrics you can find in the market. Also, you can find it in various styles and colours.
One of the most significant advantages of using polyester furniture fabric is that it's simple to clean and reasonably stain-resistant. You can easily clean dust via vacuum or wipe off the pet dander. In addition, polyester is more resistant to fading. Therefore, if you have a dining area with so many windows, the colour will maintain longer.
However, one thing to remember that you're unlikely to find 100% polyester fabric for upholstery. Upholstery fabrics are generally more robust and thicker for better durability, and it is often blended with other upholstery fabrics to improve the resistance to water and stain.
Pros
Stain-resistant
Moisture resistant
Affordable
Durable
Cons
Not often used in upholstery fabrics by itself.
Synthetic fabrics can be less comfortable against the skin
Velvet
Velvet is one of the most popular fabrics used in dining room chair fabric because of its softness and elegance. It's a fantastic fabric to use for dining chairs if you would like to have a formal dining area. However, it can also be used in the casual dining area. Another benefit of velvet dining room chairs is that it's effortless to clean and can be pretty stain-resistant. It's also a robust fabric that will last a long time if you take care of it properly. However, sunlight could damage the fabric. It also accumulates pet hair and dust more than other textiles.
Pros
Elegant
It can add some texture to a space
Easy to wash
Cons
It is possible to fade in sunlight
It is easier to collect dust.
Vinyl
Vinyl is a form of plastic that is commonly used in upholstered dining chairs, barstools, and banquettes because it is robust and easy to clean. It's an excellent option for a casual dining space or when you have lots of children and pets, where there is a high risk that they can spill food and drinks.
Vinyl is a texture that resembles leather, and since it comes in a range of designs, you can choose to use it for those who want the appearance of leather but without all the maintenance and cost. But, it can begin to split and crack in the presence of long periods of sun and warm temperatures, and it might not be the ideal choice in the case of a dining room with many windows.
Pros
It is possible to clean it
Much more affordable than leather
Very robust
Cons
Cracks and rips when exposed to the heat
Leather
Leather is a luxurious fabric that comes in various designs and styles. Generally, it's a highly durable material that does not fade with time. However, it also depends on the leather type that you purchased.
Certain kinds of leather may be cleaned; however, others will exhibit stains. In certain instances, leather must also be maintained to ensure it is in its optimal condition. Bare in mind leather fabric is one of the most expensive fabrics of upholstery that you will buy.
Pros
Looks luxurious
Durable
Work well with all kinds of decor
Cons
It may require more maintenance
Much more expensive than other fabrics.
Faux suede
It is a kind of synthetic leather which is made from a special type of polyester fibre. It is similar to leather upholstery, but it's not as costly. It does an excellent job of resisting stains as long as you wash it as quickly as possible. If you do not take the time to remove staining, they'll appear more prominent on this material, particularly in lighter shades. The faux suede fabric is an excellent option if you're looking for a durable, elegant appearance and feel without paying too much money.
Pros
Soft to the touch
Chic appearance and feel
Easy to wash
Cons
It shows dirt and stain appear on lighter hues
How to choose fabric for dining chairs?
After we've reviewed all the top upholstery fabrics for dining chairs, let's take a look at some of the features you'll need to consider. When choosing a fabric for upholstery, take these features into your mind.
Durability
It is not the case that everyone uses their dining area daily. However, you'll still need an enduring fabric when you use your dining area frequently. Even if you do not eat in your dining area daily, you use the chairs and tables for various other purposes, such as work and hobbies.
Additionally, dining rooms are often used during the holiday seasons, so naturally, you'll want your fabric to remain in good shape and last for a long time. Make sure that when you select the right fabric for your needs, you don't need to replace it every so often.
Stain Resistance
It's a fact. The dining chairs come in contact with all sorts of staining. Drink and food stains, pet stains, and the stains of your children's crafts projects can all find their way onto your chair's fabric in the dining area.
Since it is impossible to wash the fabric each time there's a stain, It's best to choose a fabric which is excellent for removing stains but isn't very absorbent. Particularly in the case of liquid staining, You'll want the fabric to swell more than it absorbs. This way, it will be cleaned easily.
Colorfast
Colourfastness is the ability of a material to retain its colour and resist fading. For instance, certain fabric colours can fade when in contact with certain cleansing products, and they can also become fade after exposure to light. If your dining space is very bright and your dining chairs are close to a window, you'll prefer a strong colour fabric.
Certain colours are also more durable than other colours. For instance, red is known to fade faster, along with yellow and orange, and blue and purple can be more resistant to fade. Fabrics with more absorption, like cotton and other synthetic fabrics, are more durable in colour.
How Easy to Clean
Since upholstery can't be removed each time easily when you want to clean them, you'll require an upholstery material that is simple to wash. Easy-to-wipe or spot-clean Fabrics can be ideal for you. It will be helpful to purchase a stain-resistant fabric to remove stains and wash them easily.
Patterned Fabrics or Solid Colors
Lastly, you'll need to decide whether you'd like a patterned fabric or a solid colour. The final decision is yours. However, you'll need to consider the other design elements in your dining area. For instance, if your rugs and curtains are patterned, you could choose a patterned fabric for your dining chair. However, solid-coloured dining chair fabrics look ideal if your curtains or rugs are patterned.
How Much Fabric Do I Need for a Dining Room Chair?
Once you have decided which fabric you will buy, it is important to know how much fabric you need. On average, a yard of fabric 54-60 inches in length will completely cover the seating area of two dining chairs. There is no one-size-fits-all solution because it depends on the chair's dimensions, and a large portion of that chair has to be covered with upholstery.
Some chairs have cushions just on the seat, whereas others have cushions on the back and back. One way to figure out precisely how much cushion you require is to determine the chair's measurements.
Overall, it is up to your preferences to choose the suitable fabric for your dining room chairs. You can choose from various colours and materials, such as blue velvet dining chairs, grey fabric dining chairs, black upholstered dining chairs, grey upholstered dining chairs, or grey upholstered dining chairs. Visit our dining chair sections at Novia.