upholstery fabric & leather
buying guide


No sofa, sectional, or accent chair frame is complete until it’s dressed in the perfect fabric or leather. Whether you’re someone who prefers neutral colors or looks for something beautiful and bold, we have tips to help you select the fabric or leather that’s right for you.

We suggest starting with two considerations: how it looks and how it wears. If you’re just looking for fast facts on a particular fabric or leather, you can jump to our fabric and leather quick guide.

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How it looks

The fabrics and leathers you select for your room will help set your room palette, define how bold or subtle you want it to be, and add the textural details that will give your space a true designer look.

Work with your room palette

tonal color palette

tonal

Tonal palettes are primarily shades of a single color, often with neutrals added. A tonal palette can feel expressive, like this vibrant teal formal living room, or serene when the colors are lighter and less saturated.

high contrast color palette

high contrast

Opposites attract in both real life and interior design. A dark gray and ivory contrast, as shown in this stormy yet sophisticated living room, feels energetic and bold even though the colors are neutral.

gentle contrast color palette

gentle contrast

Color friends that are near one another but just a little different, like this beige and blush living room, can be calming on their own—or they can be a canvas for here-and-there pops of contrasting hues.

A note on white fabrics: A crisp white fabric can be a fabulous design element—but keep in mind that white fabrics are less opaque than colored fabrics. If you tailored a stretchier white fabric over a featherblend cushion, for instance, the feathers could subtly show through.

Pick your patterns

Detailed fabric pattern with stylized trees, leaves, and nature motifs in muted colors

toile

Close-up texture of beige linen fabric

textured solid

Close-up of a beige fabric with vertical gray and black stripes

stripe

A close-up texture of dark green carpet fabric

solid

Seamless paisley pattern in beige and brown tones

paisley

Patterned fabric featuring stylized blue tigers and cloud motifs on a beige background

novelty

Blue and gray ornate damask pattern fabric

medallion

Seamless pattern of white lattice designs on a beige background

lattice fretwork

Detailed floral textile pattern with vibrant colors on a dark background

jacobean

Patterned wallpaper with symmetrical blue and gray ornamental designs

ikat

Dark blue herringbone fabric pattern

herringbone

Textured fabric with a geometric diamond pattern in earth tones

global-inspired

Beige herringbone patterned fabric close-up

geometric

Colorful floral pattern on a textile with varied flowers in shades of blue, white, and red

floral & botanical

A textured fabric pattern featuring repeated gray and white zigzag lines

flamestitch

Seamless pattern of elegant, intricate beige floral damask design on a textile background

damask

Detailed pattern of green diamond shapes arranged in a repeated tessellation on a light background

coordinate

Seamless pattern of interlocking off-white arcs on a textured beige background

contemporary

Plaid pattern in muted blue, beige, and yellow tones

checks and plaid

A close-up of a leopard print pattern fabric

animal print

Quick tips for mixing patterns

  • Select colors that are part of your room’s palette. A tonal palette, or one that contains similar colors, tends to look more cohesive when you’re pattern mixing.
  • Choose a mix of simple and complex patterns in colors that match your room’s palette. We like to start with a combination of three or four patterns, then mix in solid colors to break up the pattern’s lines and shapes. Look for both lighter and darker shades of your colors to help make your patterns stand out.
  • For inspiration, see our mix-and-match fabric collections.

Consider texture and sheen

Fabrics and leathers have both visual and tactile texture, and these contribute to the look and feel of your space.

Green velvet armchair in a stylish room with white curtains and a green door

VELVET AND CHENILLE each have a cut pile and a bit of a sheen, which gives them the luxe appearance and lush texture we know and love. When the fabric is smoothed in the direction of the pile, it can look lighter; parts rubbed in the opposite direction can appear darker.

Did you know that many of our fabric sofas come standard with pillows that match the sofa fabric, and we can make even more decorative pillows from many of our upholstery fabrics? Ask your Ethan Allen designer about all your custom pillow options.

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How it wears

Fabrics and leathers have to do more than look good—they also have to work for your lifestyle and how you use your room.

formal living space

Formal, low-traffic spaces

You can use almost any fabric or leather in a low-traffic area since it won’t experience as much wear and tear, so break out those fine velvets and natural leathers—with the right care, anything you love will be right at home.

Pet- and kid-friendly living space

Pet- and kid-friendly spaces

Opt for fabrics and leathers designated for heavy use, i.e., look for “rated for heavy use” online or on the Design Center tag. You can also choose a light use leather that’s designed to show scratches and wear—but before you invest, be 100% confident that you’re comfortable with your leather showing signs of use.

outdoor living space

Outdoor spaces and sunrooms

Choose indoor/outdoor fabrics for furniture that’s under the open sky or not completely surrounded by walls. In a sunroom or walled space, you can use indoor fabrics, even on outdoor furniture—just keep in mind that the upholstery wouldn’t be covered by our warranty.

Comfort wrinkles develop on every fabric and leather as the material stretches and pools to conform to your body. You can select firmer cushion fills and flip your cushions regularly to postpone the development of comfort wrinkles, but the effects of time are inevitable—they will appear.

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Fabric & Leather Quick Guide

We offer many swatches online, but if an online swatch order isn’t available for the fabric you’re most interested in, visit a Design Center and ask to see any of our fabrics or leathers up close.

At Ethan Allen, we only use entire, genuine leather hides for our hand-tailored leather furniture: no splits, castoffs, bonded pieces, or vinyl matching. We cut hides ourselves and color-blend them by hand.

Each leather has its own unique presentation; some will show the animal’s natural markings, or have areas of shading and color variation. Other will show minimal markings and be even from edge to edge.

Leathers can be top grain or full grain. Top grain has had the hide’s top layer removed to help the leather accept dye more evenly. Full grain may have a natural nap and is more likely to show areas of shading.

 

Leathers may also be hand-sanded or distressed, or given a two-tone effect called sauvage. They may be finished for sheen or have a pattern embossed into them.

We recommend leathers for heavy, medium, and light use. Our heavy use leathers are protected, which means they’re given a coating that protects them from most spills—as long as spills are wiped up quickly.

Never hesitate to use our complimentary design service when you’re buying leather furniture; personalized recommendations will help ensure that you’re happy with your investment. You can also visit a Design Center to look at samples in person.

 

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Leather

Close-up of water droplets on a gray silk fabric

Some applications call for a fabric that can stand up to the elements, whether those elements are the UV rays and raindrops found on your patio or the muddy paws and juice boxes found in your living room.

Performance fabrics give you the highest levels of durability that you could ask for. For outdoor spaces, we often recommend polyester or acrylic, or a blend of the two.

We also like olefin, a water-repellent, eco-friendly performance fiber. Manufacturing olefin places little burden on the environment, and the fibers can be extruded and recycled multiple times. Most olefins are GREENGUARD Gold certified.

 

You can use performance fabrics indoors or outdoors. They fabrics come in an array of colors, patterns, and textures; there are even outdoor fabrics that have chenille and velvet characteristics.

We identify performance fabrics with a P followed by a series of numbers on both our website and on fabric tags in the Design Center.

If you have any doubt about whether a fabric could work outdoors or whether it’s covered by your outdoor warranty, ask your Ethan Allen designer.

 

Performance/Outdoor

Close-up view of a beige fabric with draped folds

Woven fabrics are the workhorses of interior design, combining durability with visual and textural notes that can be subtle or bold.

A woven fabric can contain a single fiber or a combination of fibers. Natural fabrics, like 100% cotton, feel cool, comfortable, and down to earth.

Blending in synthetic fibers like polyester can increase a fabric’s durability and sheen; viscose can add a softer feel; olefin can add natural stain protection. A linen-polyester blend, for example, has the slubby texture and loose weave of linen combined with the wrinkle-free durability of polyester.

 

Woven fabrics can have patterns of all kinds, from stripes to coordinates to ikats. Rather than being printed on the fabric’s surface, it’s created through the weaving process; certain elements can be raised off the fabric surface for added texture.

Wovens can also add texture to any room without the need for extra pattern. A neutral woven with a tight herringbone pattern can be a great foundation fabric for a room; against that foundation, boldly patterned pillows or ottomans will really pop.

If you’re looking for durability, a woven fabric is as worry-free as it gets—as long as you take care to rotate your cushions and treat any stains according to the fabric’s instructions.

 

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Woven

Close-up of a floral fabric with pink, green, and beige tones

A print is a pattern that’s printed on the surface of a fabric rather than woven in.

Prints can appear on many types of fabric, from polyester to cotton to linen blends. Each has its own characteristics in terms of feel, durability, and ease of care, so be sure to ask about the fabric’s composition when you’re making a buying decision.

Some designers recommend sticking with solid fabrics or neutrals for large pieces, like sofas, sectionals, or headboards, and putting more vivid prints on smaller pieces that are easier to replace, like an accent chair or ottoman. It all comes down to you: your taste and your willingness to be bold in your design.

 

The types of patterns you can find are only limited by the creator’s imagination. Florals, ikats, coordinates, foulards, chinoiserie scenes—you’ll find anything and everything in a selection of print fabrics.

Whether a print leans formal or casual depends on the context in which it appears. A colorful, large-scale floral on an accent chair can make a welcome splash in a well-dressed space.

A tight-patterned print can add visual interest to a neutral-colored sofa; a traditional pattern like a damask, printed unexpected in a watercolor-like hue, may take the edge off an otherwise formal space.

 

Print

Close-up of a textured beige fabric with soft folds

Chenille, like velvet, is a pile fabric with a nap, but it tends to have a less even pile surface; it can have intentionally added slubs and variations in weave, and its pile is brushed to give it that give it one-of-a-kind texture.

Because it’s more dimensional, chenille tends to have a more casual vibe than velvet. Depending on the angle of the pile and the angle at which chenille fabric is viewed, some areas may appear lighter or darker than others.

 

Chenille is prized for its soft, cozy feel—you often find chenille used for throw blankets and pillows. Like velvet, it can come in a range of colors and patterns.

Chenille fabrics have a natural resistance to abrasion, which makes them very durable. At the same time, they can stretch and develop comfort wrinkles over time.

We prefer chenilles made from polyester blends for their durability. Keep in mind that, because of its pile surface, it’s often not the best choice for recliners or slipcovers.

 

Chenille

Close-up of a draped light blue fabric with soft folds

Velvets tend to lean formal and come in an array of colors, from neutrals to rich jewel tones. Velvet can also come with a variety of surface patterns, from animal prints to modern designs.

Woven velvets are truly three-dimensional fabrics, with threads intertwined and cut to create an even, dense, and compact pile surface. Some upholstery fabrics are cut velvet, which means they have a geometric or graphic design cut into the pile for added texture and dimension.

Pile fabrics reflect and absorb light at varying degrees; the pile can also change direction when touched, which means the surface will have varying light and dark areas.

Velvets can be created from a range of fabrics; we like polyester or polyester blends, which are very durable for upholstery. The feel is exceptionally soft and luxurious.

Finishing effects such as mottling or crushing may enhance the appearance of the pile surface. Velvets may not be suitable for recliners or slipcovers.

 

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Velvet

YOU INVESTED. GET PROTECTED.

When the unplanned happens to your furniture, a furniture protection plan can help. It goes beyond our warranty to cover your furniture for up to five years (see terms and conditions for complete details of what’s covered). Learn more >

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Frequently Asked Questions

There’s a grade assigned to each fabric in your collection. What does that mean?

A fabric’s grade corresponds with its price point, which is partially determined by how much it costs to make the fabric. A grade doesn’t necessarily correspond with a fabric’s quality or its durability in a particular situation.

We offer hundreds of fabrics and leathers at a range of price points—and sometimes, the less expensive fabric may actually be the most beautiful, durable choice for a particular piece of upholstery, or for your lifestyle. Our interior designers are always available to help you make the right selections.

Why can’t certain fabrics be used for tufted headboards or for certain pieces, like recliners?

At Ethan Allen, we hand-tailor all our upholstery, which means that the people who work with our fabrics and leathers have expertise—and our craftspeople will be the first to tell you that not every fabric is suitable for every situation or type of upholstery.

Some fabrics, for example, may work for a deeply tufted application, like a sofa cushion, but they would have too much stretch to be tufted in a shallow application, like a fabric headboard; the fabric would be so loose that the tufts would fall open. Fabrics like velvet or chenille, with their cut pile, would show wear and tear when subjected to the constant motion of a recliner. That’s why certain customizations and/or fabrics aren’t available on every type of Ethan Allen upholstery.

What about water- or stain-repelling fabrics and leathers?

Most people want to live in their homes, not treat them like museums, so the thought of water- or stain-repellent fabric sounds appealing. Unfortunately, many of these fabrics are coated with harmful perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl compounds—also known as PFAS.

As we have learned more about the effects of PFAS on our environment, Ethan Allen has transitioned away from upholstery fabrics that contain these coatings. Instead, we are working to introduce fabrics that offer some of the same protective characteristics, either through safer technologies or by using fabrics that have naturally stain- and water-repellent yarns. Fabrics with these labels are also GREENGUARD Gold Certified:

eco performance ease logosustain performance fabrics logoinside out performance fabrics logo

Is it okay to buy one upholstery piece in one fabric now and get a matching piece later?

If you purchase a chair in fabric or leather one year and plan to purchase a second piece in the same fabric or leather a year or two later, you may discover that either 1) the fabric you originally chose has been discontinued or 2) even in the same fabric, the chairs may look slightly different because the fabric or leather went through the dyeing process at different times.

When you receive a piece of upholstery from Ethan Allen, it comes with a fabric or leather swatch, which we recommend keeping in case you want to refer to it later. You can take the swatch to an Ethan Allen designer if you want to purchase coordinating upholstery in the future; your designer can help you find your original fabric or leather, assuming it’s still active, or work with you to find the best available match.

If potential differences are going to bother you, it may be a good idea to purchase the upholstery for your room at the same time. We offer financing† if you’d like to spread out the cost over time. (†Restrictions apply. Click here for details.)

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Ready to shop?

For inspiration, browse our fabric & leather library.

Need advice on buying a sofa, chair, or sectional? Check out our living room seating buying guide.

If you have specific questions, click Designer Chat, or call a Design Center—our designers’ services are always complimentary.