If you’ve been shopping for furniture or looking for new ways to spruce up your home, you may have come across the term “performance fabric.” But what exactly is performance fabric? And why should you use it in your home? Ahead, we’ll explore these questions, in addition to sharing some of our favorite performance fabric pieces that will not only brighten up your home, but minimize the stress of spilling coffee on that brand-new talc linen sofa you just purchased (we’ve all been there).
What is Performance Fabric?
Performance fabric is a type of material that is designed to resist stains, fading, and general wear-and-tear. This makes it ideal for everyday use, since it’s well-equipped to handle life’s many messes, from muddy paw prints to spilled red wine. Many performance fabrics are also water-resistant, which helps protect against spills and stains (think outdoor furniture fabric, but for the indoors). These fabrics are highly durable and can stand up to heavy daily use without showing signs of wear over time. Interior designers, especially those in the commercial space, often opt for performance fabrics when designing boutique hotels, offices, and retail spaces to preserve the look, feel, and quality. We know all too well that focusing solely on looks is tempting, but practicality is equally important. Performance fabrics make upholstered furniture check both the “form” and “function” boxes.
The Benefits of Using Performance Fabric in Your Home
Performance fabrics offer many benefits when used in the home, particularly in high-traffic areas such as living rooms or dining rooms. Not only are they more resistant to stains and fading than standard fabrics, they also look great and can elevate your space without concern for how they’ll hold up. They’re also great options if you have kids or pets in the house.
They come in a wide range of colors, patterns, and textures so you can find something that fits your style perfectly. We love a moody velvet accent chair, like our Traditional Accent Chair in Rust Velvet or a neutral yet sleek Modern Sectional in Husk Linen. Plus, performance fabrics are often easy to clean – simply wipe down with a damp cloth for spot cleaning when needed.
Another major benefit of performance fabrics is their versatility; there are many different types available that can be used for upholstery on furniture such as sofas, chairs, ottomans, and benches, as well as other decorative items like pillows that may even get more love than sofas or chairs given how frequently they are tossed and moved.
How to use Performance Fabrics in Your Home
Performance Fabrics In the Living Room
As mentioned, the living room is a place of high traffic, since it’s the room in your house where you, your family,and your pets often congregate. If you’ve ever purchased a brand-new sofa or accent chair and hoped for the best but then quickly been let down when that first spill or tracked in mud ends up on your furniture then these picks are for you! We love our Bunfoot Chair in French Yellow Linen, which is a tightly woven and matte linen blend that has 30,000 durable rubs. In fact, our Chief Revenue Officer, Veronica, has this chair and says it’s her dog’s favorite chair in the house!
Performance Fabrics In the Bedroom
Bedroom: Bedrooms are often a room that’s overlooked as high-traffic, but think about how often your kids or pets are in these rooms. Durable linens and velvets are the perfect choice for upholstered beds, especially in a kid’s room. Our favorite pick for two twin beds is our Modern Platform Bed in Indigo Fritz. How cute would this be for a big boy bedroom upgrade?! We also can’t get over how stunning this bed looks in Ocean Velvet in a guest room. Why not make your guest feel like they’re in a luxury hotel?
Performance Fabrics In the Dining Room
Performance fabric dining chairs or dining stools are a no brainer in our minds. You’re eating in these chairs at least a couple times a day, and it’s likely that food will spill or end up on the fabric at some point. If you’ve always dreamed of having white dining room chairs but been too afraid of the risks, our Slipcovered Dining Chair in Talc Linen is for you. The best part? You can remove the slipcovers and swap them out if a stain is being stubborn or you’re wanting to swap in a pattern, like our fan-favorite Jade Cherry Blossom for the spring.
If we must say so ourselves, we believe performance fabric is an excellent choice when it comes to furnishing your home; not only does it look great but it’s also highly durable and easy to maintain too. While we absolutely love a print, our solid performance fabric linens and velvets truly go above and beyond to keep your furniture looking its best.