Choosing a fabric is one of the most crucial decisions you will need to make, whether you are buying new furniture or reupholstering an old favorite. It can be a little confusing with so many fabric choices available. Color and pattern are important, but even before you get there, you need to choose the proper fabric type for your furniture and your lifestyle.
We created this guide to assist you to choose the best upholstery and have a better understanding of sustainable upholstery for furniture.
Today, sustainability is more of a need than a choice, thus the furniture industry must assume full responsibility and pay close attention to the potential effects of the operations on the environment. Therefore, the furniture industry is beginning to offer options for eco-friendly and sustainable fabrics.
What identifies a fabric as sustainable?
When developing sustainable fabrics, which are frequently made from natural or recycled materials, the manufacturing procedure, the qualities of the fibers, and the total impact on the environment are all considered. Additionally, these materials can aid in soil regeneration, water saving, reduced carbon emissions, and waste management.
Some of the most widely used sustainable materials are on the following list. We are providing their definitions and the characters to consider while deciding so you can decide which is suitable for you!
Organic-Linen:
Which is made of flax, a very durable natural material from plants. It has a smooth, lustrous finish that comes naturally. Although it can wrinkle quickly, linen is highly resistant to pilling and soiling, finding it more appropriate for casual upholstered furniture than formal ones. It is commonly used with cotton to promote elasticity.
A mix of cotton and linen enhances the Armchair lines of the upholsteries.
Anna Armchair Design by Ulivi – Fabric Sambuca (Color Malva)
Designer: Andrea Pinori – Giorgio Balestri
Organic linen provides many of the same benefits as cotton due to flax’s long history of growth, minimum care requirements, and natural decomposition. It is also delicate, light, strong, and naturally moth-resistant.
Every part of the plant, even the very little waste it produces, can be used to make linen fabric. Although the production process generates some pollutants and consumes a lot of mechanical energy, the fabric remains one of the most environmentally safe available materials.
Organic Cotton:
Cotton is a natural fiber and one of the most popular fabrics, but when used in traditional ways, it may be very challenging. It involves the consumption of a lot of chemicals and water, both of which could be harmful to the environment.Compared to regular cotton, organic cotton is far more environmentally friendly. because it is grown without the use of chemicals or other synthetic chemicals. By looking to see if your cotton is GOTS-certified, you can confirm that it is organic. Recycled cotton is an even more environmentally friendly choice if you want to take things a step further.
Upholstered with Ulivi leather and fabric.
Jade Armchair Design by Ulivi
Amiata Fabric / A mix of cotton and Polyester and Polyamide
Designer: Castello Lagravinese
While extremely strong and delicate, cotton may easily wrinkle and get soiled. Upholstery fabric that is 100 percent cotton is uncommon; most of the time, a blend is used.
The best cotton mixes typically have 45% to 60% cotton by weight.
Wool:
Depending on the manufacturing method, wool can be a sustainable material. A strong natural fiber made from animal hair is a good option for upholstery fabric. It can be a touch scratchy, hard to clean, and sensitive to felting. Therefore, most wool upholstery fabric is a blend.
Vine Armchair Design by Turri – 100% Virgin Wool – Designer: Frank Jiang
Wool and wool mixes are strong and long-lasting, and they resist soil, fading, pilling, and wrinkling well. To make wool simpler to clean and to lessen the chance that the strands may feel, or get linked together until they resemble felt, wool is typically combined with a synthetic fiber.
Our goal is to protect the environment by choosing suppliers who only utilize sustainable resources and make an effort to prevent harming the environment.
Recycled Polyester:
Polyester that has been converted into fibers from recycled plastic water bottles is known as recycled PET (Recycled Polyester). The fabric is recycled and saves plastic from ending up in landfills. When a garment cannot be produced entirely of natural fabrics, we consider looking for recycled polyester instead of virgin polyester because it produces fewer carbon emissions during manufacture and is less damaging overall. Recycled polyester is more prevalent in today’s furniture upholstery.
Viscose:
Viscose is frequently promoted as a more eco-friendly substitute for cotton or polyester. This cellulose-based fabric was created as a replacement for silk because it is less expensive and more strong. Although resilient, it is prone to wrinkling. It is frequently combined with various kinds of threads to produce a hybrid material suitable for upholstery.
According to its definition, viscose is a fabric that was created by humans as a replacement for the cost and time used for the procedure of making silk.
As a potential replacement for silk, linen, and cotton, viscose is strong although sensitive to wrinkles. However, recent developments have allowed premium viscose a very practical upholstery fabric for families.
Margot Armchair
Upholstered with Ulivi Fabric
Pieve Fabric – Combination of Viscose, Cotton, and Polyester
Designer: Vegni Design
Viscose is regarded as one of the greatest options for upholstery materials because of its absorbency, comfort, and affordability. Based on these qualities, viscose fabric is frequently used in upholstery. To give the fabric and furniture greater gloss and durability, this fabric is frequently combined with different materials.
Increasing sustainability can have enormous advantages. The potential cost reductions on items like materials, systems, and logistics are among the most substantial. Every aspect of the business needs to change, from product design to materials used in production to how items are packaged and distributed to customers.
To save natural resources, the environment, and the reduction of global warming, ARK INTERIORS are now taking the necessary steps to choose furniture pieces in the most environmentally friendly manner. We collaborate with our furniture partners to ensure that the clients receive the products that are the most sustainable.
In Conclusion,
With all that you have learned about sustainable fabrics, you should be prepared to shop more sustainably in the future. If you are looking to be sustainable, the textiles you select can make all the difference, whether you are a designer, or furniture enthusiast.When it comes to purchasing sustainable apparel, research is one of the most crucial steps to do, therefore we hope that this post will both save you time and encourage you to discover some eco-friendly brands and fabrics you love.
ARK INTERIORS is a Vancouver based high end furniture store, and with interior design service. We provide custom solutions and professional consultations regarding sizes, styles, and materials for each exclusive furniture, and we are passionate about tailoring the best design results for each home!
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
