Shop Upholstery Fabric by the Yard: A Complete Buyer's Guide

TL;DR: Shopping for upholstery fabric comes down to three things: fabric type, durability rating, and stain resistance. Get those three right and the rest is just picking a color you love.

Most people only shop for upholstery fabric a handful of times in their life. A reupholstery project here, a DIY chair built there. So when the moment comes, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the options, the terminology, and the question of how much to actually order.

This guide is designed to make that process straightforward. Whether you're tackling a sofa, a dining chair set, or a custom headboard, here's what you need to know before you buy.

What Type of Upholstery Fabric Should You Choose?

The fabric type sets the tone for everything else, including how the finished piece looks, how long it lasts, and how easy it is to maintain. Here are the main categories worth knowing.

Chenille

Chenille is a twisted pile fabric with a soft, textured surface. It's one of the most popular upholstery choices because it's comfortable to sit on, visually rich, and available in a wide range of colors. The AC Spirit Chenille is Liz Jordan-Hill's top-selling style and comes in over 20 colorways, from warm neutrals like Ivory and Chai to bolder shades like Deep Ocean and Cayenne. If you prefer a multi-tonal look, the AC Veneto Chenille brings added depth and dimension to the weave.

Velvet

Velvet has a smooth, flat pile that catches light beautifully. It gives furniture a high-end, polished look and works particularly well on accent chairs and bedroom pieces. The AC Bellagio Velvet combines that luxurious feel with AquaClean stain resistance, making it genuinely practical for everyday use.

Microsuede and Nubuck

Microsuede is soft, matte, and one of the most durable upholstery fabrics available. It's a go-to for high-traffic furniture and homes with pets. The AC Daytona Microsuede has a natural nubuck finish and is built to handle daily use without showing wear.

Brindle

Brindle is a woven fabric with a multi-tonal, patterned texture. It adds visual interest and works well as a statement upholstery choice on feature furniture or accent chairs. The AC Marina Brindle includes SafeFront antimicrobial protection on top of AquaClean stain resistance, reducing bacterial and viral activity on the fabric surface by over 91%.

Embossed

Embossed fabrics have a pressed surface pattern that creates depth and texture without a heavy pile. The AC Carabu Embossed is a great option when you want something with more visual character than a flat fabric while keeping maintenance simple.

Additional Chenille Options

If you're comparing chenille styles side by side, Liz Jordan-Hill also carries the AC Duetto Chenille, AC Imperial Matte Chenille, and AC Victory Chenille, each with slightly different weights, finishes, and colorway options to suit different project needs.

Key Specs to Check Before You Buy

Once you've narrowed down the fabric type, there are a few technical specs worth checking on any product page.

Double rub rating: This measures abrasion resistance. For everyday residential furniture, look for a minimum of 15,000 double rubs. For high-traffic pieces, 30,000 or above is better. Every fabric in the Liz Jordan-Hill range meets or exceeds 70,000 Wyzenbeek double rubs, which is commercial-grade abrasion resistance.

Width: Most upholstery fabric is sold at 54 inches wide. This is the standard for most furniture projects and the width you should base your yardage calculations on. All Liz Jordan-Hill fabrics are cut at 54 inches wide in continuous yard lengths.

Stain treatment: Check whether the stain resistance is a surface coating or fiber-integrated. Surface coatings wear off over time. Fiber-integrated technology like AquaClean is built into the fabric itself and does not degrade with regular use.

Certifications: For homes with children or pets, look for PFAS-free, PVC-free, and fragrance-free options. All Liz Jordan-Hill fabrics meet those standards and include SafeFront antimicrobial protection as standard.

How Much Fabric Do You Need?

A common mistake when shopping upholstery fabric is underordering. Here's a rough guide to help you estimate:

These are estimates for plain fabrics with no pattern repeat. If your fabric has a pattern, add 10 to 20 percent extra to account for matching at seams. When in doubt, order a little more than you think you need. Running short mid-project and trying to match a dye lot later is a frustrating situation to be in.

Should You Order Samples First?

Yes, always. Colors look different on a screen than they do in person, and texture is impossible to judge from a photo. Liz Jordan-Hill offers free sample swatches on every product page so you can check color, feel, and performance before committing to full yardage. This is especially important if you're trying to match existing furniture, flooring, or wall color in the room.

Shop the Full Upholstery Fabric Collection at Liz Jordan-Hill

Every fabric is AquaClean-powered, PFAS-free, PVC-free, and rated at 70,000 double rubs. All sold by continuous yard cut at 54 inches wide with free sample swatches available.

• AC Spirit Chenille: top-selling style, 20+ colorways, from $8.00/yard
• AC Veneto Chenille: multi-tonal weave, warm and bold colorways
• AC Duetto Chenille: soft chenille with classic appeal
• AC Imperial Matte Chenille: understated matte finish, from $5.20/yard
• AC Victory Chenille: durable everyday chenille
• AC Bellagio Velvet: luxurious flat pile velvet, from $8.00/yard
• AC Marina Brindle: patterned brindle with SafeFront antimicrobial protection
• AC Carabu Embossed: embossed surface pattern, stylish and easy to maintain
• AC Daytona Microsuede: matte nubuck finish, ideal for high-traffic use

Conclusion

Shopping for upholstery fabric gets a lot easier once you know what to look for. Start with the fabric type that fits your project, check the durability rating and stain resistance specs, calculate your yardage with a little buffer, and order a sample before you commit. Those four steps will save you time, money, and the headache of a project that does not come together the way you planned.

Browse the full range and order free samples at Liz Jordan-Hill Fabrics.