Upholstery Fabric for Chairs: How to Choose the Right One

TL;DR: The best upholstery fabric for chairs depends on the chair type, how often it is used, and whether stain resistance matters. Chenille, velvet, microsuede, brindle, embossed, and faux leather all work well for chairs, each with different strengths depending on the project.

Chairs are often the most reupholstered piece of furniture in a home. They get used constantly, they show wear faster than larger pieces, and they are small enough that a reupholstery project feels manageable for both DIYers and professionals. The tricky part is not the project itself. It is picking the right upholstery fabric for the chair before you start.

The wrong fabric choice means the chair looks tired again within a year or two. The right one means it holds up, stays clean, and still looks good long after the project is done. Here is a complete guide to help you choose the best upholstery fabric for chairs of every type.

What to Think About Before Choosing Upholstery Fabric for Chairs

How Is the Chair Used?

A dining chair that sees three meals a day needs something different from a reading armchair that gets light use. High traffic chairs need a higher abrasion rating and stronger stain resistance. Occasional or accent chairs give you more flexibility to prioritize appearance over pure practicality.

Who Is Using It?

Homes with kids and pets need fabric that cleans easily and resists snagging and scratching. A cat scratch resistant fabric with no exposed loops, like a tight weave chenille or a smooth microsuede, holds up much better than a loosely woven or delicate fabric in those households.

What Style Is the Chair?

A mid-century armchair, a Parsons dining chair, a wingback, and a barstool all suit different fabric types. Velvet and chenille work beautifully on upholstered armchairs and wingbacks. Microsuede and faux leather are practical choices for barstools and dining chairs. Embossed and brindle fabrics work well on statement accent chairs.

Does It Need to Be Stain Resistant?

For dining chairs, kitchen chairs, and any chair used near food and drink, stain resistant upholstery fabric is not just a nice-to-have, it is genuinely necessary. Fiber-integrated stain resistance like AquaClean technology, built into the fabric at the fiber level, is far more reliable long term than a surface coating that wears off.

Best Upholstery Fabric for Chairs by Type

Upholstery Fabric for Dining Chairs

Dining chairs need fabric that is easy to wipe clean, durable enough to handle daily use, and comfortable to sit on for an extended meal. The two best options for dining chairs are microsuede and chenille with fiber-integrated stain resistance.

The AC Daytona Microsuede is a top choice for dining chairs. Its matte nubuck finish is flat and tight, which means spills sit on the surface rather than soaking in, and the AquaClean treatment makes cleanup as simple as wiping with a damp cloth.

The AC Spirit Chenille works equally well on dining chairs when you want a softer, more textured look. It is cat scratch resistant, rated at 75,000+ double rubs, and available in over 20 colorways from neutral Meringue and Ivory through to bold Cayenne and Deep Ocean.

For a sleeker, leather-look finish on dining chairs and barstools, the Vegan Leather Vinyl Upholstery Fabric is a strong alternative. It features a PU shell with a soft polyester backing, 65,000 double rubs abrasion resistance, and a water-repelling surface that wipes clean instantly.

Upholstery Fabric for Armchairs

Armchairs are where comfort and style matter most. They are the chairs people sink into for reading, watching television, or relaxing, which means softness and visual appeal are just as important as durability.

Chenille is the classic choice for armchairs. The AC Spirit Chenille and AC Veneto Chenille both combine that signature plush feel with AquaClean stain resistance, making them genuinely practical for everyday use rather than just occasional sitting.

For a more elevated look, the AC Bellagio Stain Resistant Velvet turns any armchair into a statement piece. The smooth flat pile catches light beautifully and the fiber-level AquaClean protection means spills do not need to cause panic.

Upholstery Fabric for Accent Chairs

Accent chairs are where you can take more visual risks because they are not being used as heavily as dining or everyday armchairs. Bold colors, richer textures, and statement patterns all work here.

The AC Marina Brindle is a strong choice for accent chairs. Its woven multi-tonal pattern adds instant visual interest without relying on a bold color, and the SafeFront antimicrobial protection makes it practical even in homes where hygiene matters.

The AC Carabu Leather Grain Embossed is another excellent accent chair option. The pressed leather grain surface gives chairs a structured, tailored look that works particularly well in modern and contemporary interiors.

Upholstery Fabric for Barstools

Barstools take heavy use, often from people in jeans, work clothes, and outdoor wear. They need fabric that resists abrasion, cleans quickly, and looks good under kitchen and bar lighting.

The best options for barstools are microsuede, faux leather, and embossed fabric. All three are tight-surface fabrics that resist snagging and wipe clean easily. The AC Daytona Microsuede and AC Carabu Embossed are both rated for high traffic commercial use, which means they will hold up to barstool use without any trouble.

The Waterproof Faux Leather Upholstery Fabric is specifically designed for barstools and high traffic seating. Its water-repelling surface makes liquid cleanup immediate and effortless.

Upholstery Fabric for Office and Reading Chairs

Office and reading chairs benefit from fabric that is comfortable for extended sitting, breathable enough to remain comfortable over time, and durable enough to handle daily use without showing wear.

Microsuede and chenille are both strong choices here. The AC Imperial Matte Chenille in particular works well for office and reading chairs thanks to its understated matte finish that suits a range of interior styles, starting from $5.20/yard.

Upholstery Fabric for Chairs: Quick Comparison

How Much Upholstery Fabric Do You Need for a Chair?

This is one of the most common questions when sourcing upholstery fabric for chairs. Here is a clear breakdown:

All Liz Jordan-Hill fabrics are sold by the full yard at 54 inches wide and ship as continuous yardage. Multiple yards arrive as one uncut piece. If you are unsure how much to order for your specific chair, contact the team at +1 (224) 904-3355 or sales@lizjordanhill.com with the dimensions and they can advise.

Always Order a Sample First

Before committing to full yardage for any chair project, order a sample swatch. Colors look different on screen than in person, and texture is impossible to judge from a photo. Liz Jordan-Hill strongly encourages every customer to sample before ordering yardage, and all sample requests can be made at lizjordanhill.com/pages/samples or by contacting the team directly.

Shop Upholstery Fabric for Chairs at Liz Jordan-Hill

All fabrics are AquaClean powered, PFAS free, PVC free, and rated for residential, automotive, marine, and hospitality use. Free shipping on all US orders.

• AC Spirit Chenille — 75,000+ double rubs, 20+ colorways, cat scratch resistant
• AC Veneto Chenille — multi-tonal weave, warm and bold colorways
• AC Duetto Chenille — classic soft chenille, commercial grade
• AC Imperial Matte Chenille — from $5.20/yard, understated finish
• AC Victory Chenille — durable everyday chenille
• AC Bellagio Velvet — luxurious flat pile, from $8.00/yard
• AC Marina Brindle — woven pattern, SafeFront antimicrobial protection
• AC Carabu Embossed — leather grain texture, 100,000 double rubs
• AC Daytona Microsuede — matte nubuck, wipe clean surface
• Vegan Leather Vinyl — waterproof PU surface, ideal for barstools and dining chairs
• Waterproof Faux Leather — water-repelling, great for high traffic seating

Conclusion

Choosing the right upholstery fabric for chairs comes down to matching the fabric type to how the chair is used, who is using it, and what style you are going for. For dining chairs and barstools, microsuede and faux leather are the most practical. For armchairs and accent chairs, chenille and velvet deliver the comfort and visual quality that make a chair worth sitting in. Whatever type you choose, fiber-integrated stain resistance makes any chair fabric genuinely easier to live with long term.

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