The MATERIAL Difference
6/02/2017When you invest in quality furniture, you can tell. It starts from the shape and builds to the material that covers it. What happens, though, if your quality furniture doesn't hold up? Could it possibly be because you chose a material that wasn't a good fit for your lifestyle? The material you choose for your furniture can be the difference between loving it or hating it, so we want to talk about several popular materials, and why they would or wouldn't be great in your space.
When Choosing Natural Fibers
When you go with a natural fiber, you are getting exactly what it sounds like. A material that is made from naturally sourced plants or animals. Here are the most popular natural fibers that you can choose from:
Linen
Linen is an elegant material. It's stylish, delicate, and demure. It is also prone to wrinkling and staining. So when you choose a piece of furniture that it made of linen, be sure to place it in low-traffic or adult only areas.
Wool
Did you know that wool is resistant to staining or wrinkling? It's also resistant to fading and pilling! It's an extremely durable material, and can also be blended with synthetic fibers for even more durability. Wool can also be spot cleaned, making it a great material for high traffic areas.
Silk
Silk is an extremely fragile, soft, and delicate fabric. Because it's so fragile, you'll want to place it in a formal area where it won't get as much wear. Another thing to consider is that it must be professionally cleaned if it gets dirty.
Cotton
Cotton is very popular because it is great at standing up to wear, fading, and pilling. However, it is not as resistant to soiling and wrinkling. If you find a piece of furniture that is blended with other fibers, cotton can have even more durability and make a great material for families.
Leather
Leather has been used on many different pieces of furniture for ages. It's actually considered one of the most durable and sophisticated materials on the market. It is also a favorite for people with kids and pets. It is great and standing up to the wear and tear of everyday life, but it also extraordinarily easy to clean!
When Choosing Synthetic Fibers
A synthetic material is made up of man-made fibers and products. It is meant to imitate the natural fibers with an added stain resistance. When you are looking for a synthetic material, you'll want to keep these in mind:
Polyester
Polyester is generally blended with other fibers. This creates an upholstery that is resistant to wrinkling, crushing, and fading.
Nylon
Are you looking for a material that is resistant to staining, nylon is considered one of the strongest upholstery fabrics. When it is added to blends, it can help prevent this fiber from fading, crushing, or pilling.
Acrylic
Acrylic was developed as an imitation wool. It is a synthetic fiber and is great at resisting wear, wrinkling, soiling, and fading.
Olefin
If you have a piece of furniture that is going to receive heavy use (think of your media rooms, and your living room or kitchen), you'll want to think of Olefin. It is resistant to abrasions, stains, sunlight, and chemicals. This is also a common material for outdoor furniture.
Vinyl
Finally, there is vinyl. It's a great alternative to leather, and it provides a more cost-effective alternative with comparable toughness.
No matter what you're looking for, the team at John Elliott Interiors would like to assist you in not only finding the perfect piece for your home but the perfect material as well. When you want to create luxury in your home, you start by going to the store that provides the best furnishings at the Lake of the Ozarks. We invite you to stop by our store for a relaxing shopping experience this weekend!
Let us help you create an interior for your life.
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