Discover the most creative part of sofa design
Now that you’ve decided on the very important sofa frame, it’s time to turn attentions to the aesthetics of the piece. When it comes to sofas, the main aesthetics is, of course, all about the upholstery.
In many ways, upholstery is a old art and there is much to decide when it comes to fabrics, seam options, stitches and decorative finishes. Discover some of our favourites for sofas here.
Now that you’ve decided on the very important sofa frame, it’s time to turn attentions to the aesthetics of the piece. When it comes to sofas, the main aesthetics is, of course, all about the upholstery.
In many ways, upholstery is a old art and there is much to decide when it comes to fabrics, seam options, stitches and decorative finishes. Discover some of our favourites for sofas here.
Upholstery Textiles
Textile composition, weaves, patterns, applications… The world of textiles is no easy place to navigate. Upholstery textiles are so interesting that each can have a whole series written about it. We’ll focus on textile types and their best uses.
Upholstery Textiles
Textile composition, weaves, patterns, applications… The world of textiles is no easy place to navigate. Upholstery textiles are so interesting that each can have a whole series written about it. We’ll focus on textile types and their best uses.
Upholstery Textiles
Textile composition, weaves, patterns, applications… The world of textiles is no easy place to navigate. Upholstery textiles are so interesting that each can have a whole series written about it. We’ll focus on textile types and their best uses.
Upholstery Techniques
You’ve chosen your colour, your pattern and your fabric but did you know that there are still many more decisions to make your sofa just right for you? Upholstery techniques—even small ones like seams and stitches—can render a piece very formal or more casual.
Upholstery seams, for example—although, traditionally, a purely functional element—are now often two-fold. They do have a practical function but they can also be used to add interest to a piece. Stitches, similarly, can be used for decorative purposes.
Upholstery Techniques
You’ve chosen your colour, your pattern and your fabric but did you know that there are still many more decisions to make your sofa just right for you? Upholstery techniques—even small ones like seams and stitches—can render a piece very formal or more casual.
Upholstery seams, for example—although, traditionally, a purely functional element—are now often two-fold. They do have a practical function but they can also be used to add interest to a piece. Stitches, similarly, can be used for decorative purposes.
Upholstery Techniques
You’ve chosen your colour, your pattern and your fabric but did you know that there are still many more decisions to make your sofa just right for you? Upholstery techniques—even small ones like seams and stitches—can render a piece very formal or more casual.
Upholstery seams, for example—although, traditionally, a purely functional element—are now often two-fold. They do have a practical function but they can also be used to add interest to a piece. Stitches, similarly, can be used for decorative purposes.
Upholstery Applications
Upholstery Applications
If you’d like to add a little more interest to your piece, don’t feel confined to leg types or fabric patterns. There are many upholstery applications to consider. From skirts to trim and modern piping to traditional fringe, read on to hear which is right for you.
If you’d like to add a little more interest to your piece, don’t feel confined to leg types or fabric patterns. There are many upholstery applications to consider. From skirts to trim and modern piping to traditional fringe, read on to hear which is right for you.
Skirts
Skirts
Sofa skirts may be stereotyped, from time to time, as a traditional upholstery method but their classic look will never go out of style. They are a wonderful base option for both fixed cover and loose cover sofas. Here are the main contenders.
Sofa skirts may be stereotyped, from time to time, as a traditional upholstery method but their classic look will never go out of style. They are a wonderful base option for both fixed cover and loose cover sofas. Here are the main contenders.
Tufting
Tufting is a traditional upholstery technique which was originally used to keep a sofa’s filling evenly distributed. This was done by sewing through the upholstery fabrics and filling of an upholstered sofa and then securing the stitch at the other side (in the case of cushions) or inside the sofa (for fixed back sofas). This created dips in the upholstery in which buttons were often used to disguise the stitches. Because of the extra reinforcement, tufted furniture was much more durable than non-tufted furniture.
These days, tufting has become a favoured decorative element too and requires a lot of skill to do correctly. Tufting can be done on the sofa back, sofa seat or both.
Tufting
Tufting is a traditional upholstery technique which was originally used to keep a sofa’s filling evenly distributed. This was done by sewing through the upholstery fabrics and filling of an upholstered sofa and then securing the stitch at the other side (in the case of cushions) or inside the sofa (for fixed back sofas). This created dips in the upholstery in which buttons were often used to disguise the stitches. Because of the extra reinforcement, tufted furniture was much more durable than non-tufted furniture.
These days, tufting has become a favoured decorative element too and requires a lot of skill to do correctly. Tufting can be done on the sofa back, sofa seat or both.
Tufting
Tufting is a traditional upholstery technique which was originally used to keep a sofa’s filling evenly distributed. This was done by sewing through the upholstery fabrics and filling of an upholstered sofa and then securing the stitch at the other side (in the case of cushions) or inside the sofa (for fixed back sofas). This created dips in the upholstery in which buttons were often used to disguise the stitches. Because of the extra reinforcement, tufted furniture was much more durable than non-tufted furniture.
These days, tufting has become a favoured decorative element too and requires a lot of skill to do correctly. Tufting can be done on the sofa back, sofa seat or both.
Upholstery Trim
Upholstery Trim
Upholstery trim options include nailhead trim, piping and fringe amongst many others. As a group, decorative trims are referred to as passamenterie and, like fringed skirts, have had a major resurgence in the last few years. Here are some of the most common sofa trims.
Upholstery trim options include nailhead trim, piping and fringe amongst many others. As a group, decorative trims are referred to as passamenterie and, like fringed skirts, have had a major resurgence in the last few years. Here are some of the most common sofa trims.
The Mark of Luxury
Good upholstery is the mark of a luxury sofa. It requires expert upholsterers, fine materials and time to truly finish off a sofa as perfectly as possible.
A high-quality fabric will likely be more expensive than an inferior quality fabric but it will last longer; French seams might seem unnecessary to the untrained eye but it’s a mark of a superior upholstery job; and one might think all sofa skirts are made equal but bad pleating is very noticeable and would ruin the aesthetics of a good sofa. Never underestimate the power of fine upholstery.
The Mark of Luxury
Good upholstery is the mark of a luxury sofa. It requires expert upholsterers, fine materials and time to truly finish off a sofa as perfectly as possible.
A high-quality fabric will likely be more expensive than an inferior quality fabric but it will last longer; French seams might seem unnecessary to the untrained eye but it’s a mark of a superior upholstery job; and one might think all sofa skirts are made equal but bad pleating is very noticeable and would ruin the aesthetics of a good sofa. Never underestimate the power of fine upholstery.
Here at LuxDeco, our highly skilled designers are on hand to give their expert advice and help design your perfect sofa. If you would like help designing or choosing your luxury sofa, contact our team at concierge@luxdeco.com or +44 (0)20 3322 8665.
Here at LuxDeco, our highly skilled designers are on hand to give their expert advice and help design your perfect sofa. If you would like help designing or choosing your luxury sofa, contact our team at concierge@luxdeco.com or +44 (0)20 3322 8665.
Discover More
Discover More
Continue on your sofa journey and learn more about the craftsmanship and care that goes into the production of our luxury sofas.
Continue on your sofa journey and learn more about the craftsmanship and care that goes into the production of our luxury sofas.