Which fabric is right for your furniture covers?

Slipcover Fabric Guide

Which fabric is right for your furniture covers?

The fabric you choose changes everything about how your furniture feels, looks, wears, and cleans up over time. Some fabrics are soft and relaxed. Others are structured and durable. Some are best for pets and kids. Others are better for formal rooms that are used less often. This guide breaks down the pros, cons, and best uses for the most popular fabrics used in custom sofa slipcovers, chair covers, cushion covers, and other custom furniture covers.

Start with how the room is used.

A formal sitting room and a family TV room usually need completely different fabrics. The best choice is not always the softest or the trendiest—it is the one that fits the way you actually live.

Every fabric has tradeoffs.

Cotton feels natural and breathable, but it can shrink. Chenille feels soft and luxurious, but it can show wear in high-traffic rooms. Performance fabrics are durable and practical, but may feel more structured. Understanding the tradeoffs makes choosing much easier.

Browse popular furniture cover fabrics

Compare feel, durability, maintenance, softness, texture, and everyday practicality to find the best fabric for your furniture and your lifestyle.

Classic + Durable

Heavyweight Canvas

One of the most popular choices for custom slipcovers. Canvas feels relaxed, durable, timeless, and works beautifully in coastal, farmhouse, casual, and family-friendly homes.

Pros Durable, breathable, structured, timeless look, casual texture, versatile across many design styles.

Cons Cotton-based canvas can shrink and wrinkle. Usually requires gentler cleaning care.

Canvas Chairs & Sofas Canvas Sectionals Canvas Dining Chairs Canvas Daybeds Canvas Futons Canvas Cushion Covers

Family Friendly

Performance Fabrics

Built for busy households that need durability, easier cleanup, stain resistance, and fabrics that can handle real everyday life.

Pros Durable, easier to clean, strong stain resistance, good for pets, kids, rentals, and high-use rooms.

Cons Sometimes less soft or relaxed than natural fabrics.

Performance Chairs & Sofas Performance Sectionals Performance Dining Chairs Performance Daybeds Performance Futons Performance Cushion Covers

Soft + Cozy

Chenille

Chenille adds warmth, softness, and a richer upholstered feel. It works especially well in cozy living rooms and softer interiors.

Pros Soft texture, comfortable feel, richer depth, warm appearance, cozy for lounging.

Cons Can flatten or show wear faster in very high-traffic spaces.

Chenille Chairs & Sofas Chenille Sectionals Chenille Dining Chairs Chenille Daybeds Chenille Futons Chenille Cushion Covers

Pet Friendly

SuedeTouch

Soft and smooth with a casual, lounge-friendly feel that works especially well for TV rooms, family rooms, and everyday seating.

Pros Comfortable, cozy, pet-friendly feel, easier surface cleanup, casual appearance.

Cons Can show pressure marks or light shading depending on the lighting.

SuedeTouch Chairs & Sofas SuedeTouch Sectionals SuedeTouch Dining Chairs SuedeTouch Daybeds SuedeTouch Futons SuedeTouch Cushion Covers

Decorative + Rich

Damask & Jacquard

Woven patterns with a more formal, decorative, and traditional appearance. Great for classic interiors and statement furniture.

Pros Elegant texture, richer visual detail, timeless look, decorative woven patterns.

Cons Usually better for lower-traffic rooms and gentler everyday use.

Damask Chairs & Sofas Damask Sectionals Damask Dining Chairs Damask Daybeds Damask Futons Damask Cushion Covers

Outdoor Ready

Outdoor Fabrics

Made to handle sunlight, moisture, mildew, dirt, and changing weather conditions for patios, porches, RVs, boats, and pool areas.

Pros UV resistance, moisture resistance, mildew resistance, outdoor durability.

Cons Some outdoor fabrics feel more structured or firmer indoors.

Outdoor Chairs & Sofas Outdoor Sectionals Outdoor Dining Chairs Outdoor Daybeds Outdoor Futons Outdoor Cushion Covers

Easy Wipe

Vegan Leather

A cleaner, sharper, more modern look that works especially well in dining areas, benches, commercial spaces, and high-use seating.

Pros Easy cleanup, wipeable surface, modern appearance, useful for dining and benches.

Cons Less breathable than woven fabrics and can feel warmer during long sitting periods.

Vegan Leather Chairs & Sofas Vegan Leather Sectionals Vegan Leather Dining Chairs Vegan Leather Daybeds Vegan Leather Futons Vegan Leather Cushion Covers

Flexible Fit

Stretch Fabrics

Stretch fabrics flex more easily around furniture shapes for a softer, more forgiving, adaptable fit.

Pros Flexible, forgiving, softer fit, easier around curves and casual furniture shapes.

Cons Less tailored and structured than woven upholstery fabrics.

Stretch Chairs & Sofas Stretch Sectionals Stretch Dining Chairs Stretch Daybeds Stretch Futons Stretch Cushion Covers

Choosing the right fabric for your lifestyle

Best for pets and kids

Browse performance fabrics, darker textured solids, and SuedeTouch covers for easier cleanup and better durability in busy homes.

Best for relaxed interiors

Browse canvas covers, cotton-look fabrics, and textured neutrals for coastal, farmhouse, rustic, and casual interiors.

Best for formal rooms

Browse damask and jacquard fabrics, chenille, florals, and richer textures for traditional and decorative spaces.

Best for outdoor spaces

Browse outdoor cushion covers for patios, pool seating, RV cushions, boats, porches, and sun-exposed spaces.

Important things to know before choosing fabric

Cotton can shrink.

Cotton fabrics—including many canvas and twill materials—can shrink during cleaning, even under gentle conditions. Spot cleaning and dry cleaning are usually safer for tailored custom covers.

Texture changes the whole look.

Smooth fabrics feel cleaner and more modern. Heavier woven textures feel warmer and more traditional. Even the same color can look completely different depending on the fabric itself.

The best fabric is the one that works for your real life.

Some people want a crisp white slipcover with a relaxed coastal feel. Others need something durable enough for pets, kids, and everyday use. Some want softness above all else. Others want structure, stain resistance, or easy cleanup.

Start with how you use the furniture first—then choose the fabric that supports that lifestyle. Browse custom sofa slipcovers, chair covers, custom cushion covers, and custom furniture covers to find the fabric and fit that works best for your home.