Traditional chairs are a great way to add style and elegance to a room with their rich texture and beautiful carved wood look. If the fabric is worn out, though, the piece can lose much of its appeal. Rather than giving up on your chair, you might choose to reupholster it with new fabric. Here's a look at how to choose an ideal fabric for this delicate job.

3 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Reupholstery Fabric

1. Type

Fabrics can vary in style, color, and fibers, so it's good to start here and then fine-tune the details. Chenille fabric is similar to velvet but is less prone to staining, making it a better option if you plan to use the chair regularly. 

Meanwhile, faux leather is great for portraying an elegant look that's easy to clean and resistant to cracking. Jacquard is a heavy fabric that's commonly used in traditional, decorative pieces, while canvas is a strong, weaved fabric that works well for printed designs. 

2. Mood

Traditional furniture usually encompasses a more antique style or mood. Your fabric should complement this while simultaneously blending with the room the chair will be placed in. It's smart to look at pictures from the era of your furniture to get a better idea of the style and ask for samples of fabrics to hold next to the wood or chair frame. 

For example, if you have an older chair from before the 1800s, a deep purple or mauve color might suit the style best. However, if you're putting your chair in a room with a distinct theme, the fabric should also incorporate that. 

3. Fiber

Finally, it's important to consider what type of fiber the upholstery fabric is made of, as this affects overall performance. You can choose fabric made entirely from one material or a blend of several. For example, cotton fabrics are breathable and affordable. Linen is strong, classic, and great for traditional pieces, and rayon can help add a degree of softness if used in a mix. 

Nylon is durable, abrasion-resistant, and easy to clean. Acrylic is also extremely durable and great when you need to reupholster a piece of heavily used furniture. Look for blended fabrics if you want to enjoy elements of different materials.

If you're looking to reupholster an elegant chair, turn to the professionals at Tri-County Furniture Restoration in Cincinnati, OH. This furniture repair shop has been providing bedroom set restoration, commercial furniture restoration, and reupholstery to clients throughout Hamilton County for over 36 years. They offer a five-step restoration process that returns old finishes to their original look and eliminates all dents, scratches, fading, and missing colors. In addition to restoration, refinishing, and reupholstering, their company carries an array of fabrics to fit any style. To see some of their before and after pictures, visit their website, or call (513) 771-6389 for more information today.