The comfort level of your dining chairs is something you will want to consider when choosing which style to purchase. If you use your dining table for more than just quick meals – perhaps it serves as a makeshift office when you work from home or it’s the place the kids do their homework each evening – then you’ll want to ensure your chairs are comfortable to sit in for extended periods of time.

You’ll also want to consider the seating’s durability. Since we typically eat and drink while sitting on our dining room chairs, they are more prone to stains, and as part of daily family life, need to be robust.

So, what factors do you need to consider when choosing the right chair for your needs? Read on to find out what you need to know when choosing the right upholstery for your dining chairs.

What is upholstery?

Otis chair | Oliver console table

To start off, what do we mean by an upholstered dining chair? Usually, this refers to the materials that make up the soft coverings of a chair, which often include the fabric, padding, webbing, and springs. While these internal materials are generally covered and unseen, they make a big difference in whether your dining chair will provide the comfort and support you’re looking for.
The outer visible fabric can be changed years down the line, whether that’s due to wear and tear or simply for a change in style. However, the inner support layers will ensure your chair is built to last. So, with this in mind, you’ll want to look for high-quality materials when making your choice.

Choosing the right fabrics

Harper chair | Henley dining table

It’s important to consider how much and who will be using your dining room chairs, as these factors will play a big role in which fabrics will have staying power.

Many materials age over time, so you’ll want to consider not just how they look when purchased new, but also how they will look years down the line after many uses. For example, leather is easy to look after but will develop a natural patina over time. If your dining room has a sunny window, be aware that some fabrics may fade when exposed to sunlight.

Choosing the right colours

Isla chair | @alicerosehome

When considering which colours to choose for your dining chairs, most of us will simply want them to work well with colours already used in the room. However, because dining chairs tend to be a bigger investment piece, especially since they are usually purchased in multiples, you may want to consider a more neutral shade. This can give you flexibility in the future, should you decide to redecorate.

What’s the Martindale rub test and why should it matter?

Bette chair | Parquet dining table

Most fabrics are graded using the Martindale rub test, which is a unit for quantifying the abrasion resistance of textiles, especially when used in upholstery. The test stimulates the natural wear of a seat cover by rubbing the textile sample against a standard abrasive surface with a specified force.

Commercial grade fabrics are usually rated at 100,000 to 250,000 double-rubs. whereas residential use fabrics fall between 10,000 to 25,000 double-rubs. Essentially, the higher the Martindale unit of your fabric, the more wear and tear it will be able to withstand.

The best upholstery for homes with kids and pets

Durham dining table set | @at_my_surrey_chalet

For a busy family life or homes with pets, you’ll want to pay greater attention to the fabric you use. While a velvet fabric or vintage silk chair seat may look stunning, constant use may make it an impractical choice long-term. Avoid delicate fabrics that can easily pull and mark. Instead, look for new materials on the market that are more robust and stain-resistant. Consider slip-covered dining chairs, which will allow you to easily launder any stains regularly, or opt for leather, as it’s easy to wipe down and refresh your chairs.

For more information, head to our dining chair range page or if you need similar advice for your settee, check out our blog post on choosing the right fabric for your sofa. Tag us in your exciting dining room updates over on Instagram and use #OakFurnitureland #GrowYourHome when you post.

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Our extensive collection of sofas are available in a wide range of durable fabrics that complement our exclusively designed styles, with upholstery choices including velvet, super soft polyester, and textured weaves, along with genuine leather for a timeless, luxe finish.

To help you decide which upholstery is best for you, read on to discover everything you need to consider when choosing your next sofa or soft seating.

Family-friendly fabrics

Your sofa shouldn’t be reserved for formal kid-free zones. When your home life centres around children, friends, family, and entertaining, make sure your sofa upholstery is ready to take on your busy schedule.

Many of our fabrics have been subjected to a clever process called the Martindale Test, because with family life, wearability and texture are so important. This test uses special machinery to determine how long a fabric will last on a sofa without showing wear. We only use fabric upholstery that has achieved a rating for heavy domestic use, making it perfect for children and adults alike.

Darker coloured fabrics are incredibly forgiving when you have kids. They’re perfect for disguising everyday messes, and are incredibly hard wearing – no matter how many cheeky monkeys decide to use your sofa cushions as indoor trampolines.

For your four-legged friends

For those of us with furry friends, keeping a sofa looking fresh can be a challenge, no matter the upholstery. Thankfully, we’ve created leather and fabric care kits which cover you for most pet-related incidents. With a mild cleanser, fresh stain remover, old or resistant stain cleaner, plus grease and oil cleanser and a deodoriser, no matter how messy your furry friend is, you can still keep your sofa looking like new.

If you don’t have a cleaning kit, a top industry secret for cleaning up small stains and dirt in a pinch is baby wipes. They don’t have any harsh chemicals that will damage the fibres, and are great at dealing with life’s little messes.

Longing for leather

Whether you favour classic or contemporary design, our leather sofas cover the whole design spectrum to offer comfortable and stylish seating that works for every home.

It’s also a great choice for everyday living. Its wipeable surface is easy to keep clean and it is incredibly durable. Our leather sofas are upholstered all over in genuine leather that takes on a beautiful character as they age.

Luxurious velvet

Montgomery sofa | @renovationtowers

Velvet is a hugely popular choice for sofas and easily adds a luxe finish to any room. The tactile fabric brings a regal touch that works beautifully in jewel tones, understated neutrals or statement brights.

If the idea of a velvet sofa is too much, try a velvet loveseat or armchair as an accent piece in living rooms, kitchen/diners or bedrooms. Contrary to what many people think, velvet is a durable choice that’s hard-wearing and designed to stand the test of time.

Always on the move

Malvern modular sofa | @budgethomeinterior_

For renters, or those planning on moving house, finding a sofa that will work across decor schemes and different room configurations can seem impossible, but clever upholstery choices can make this easier.

If you’ve found a sofa that you love and find comfortable, you’ve already done the hard work. The best way to make sure it looks great through all your home moves is to choose a neutral base colour for the upholstery, that will work no matter the space.

Inject a personal touch with accessories that reflect your home now, and know you can change it up for the future. Picking a smaller or more compact sofa is another great tip for making it last through several moves. Or, if you’re looking for something larger, modular sofas – made of individual units that can be configured or reconfigured into the shape you want – offer great flexibility.

We offer a wide range of soothing neutral colours and sofa sizes that are an ideal choice for people on the move. Plus, many of our sofas come with scatter cushions in reversible patterns, making it easy to change your sofa style.

Choosing the best upholstery shouldn’t be a chore. At the end of the day, the most important thing to do is to choose a high quality sofa that you love. Browse our complete selection of sofas and find the one that’s right for you.

We’d love to see your Oak Furnitureland sofa in its new home. Tag us at #OakFurnitureland on Instagram to share your stylish pics.

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