Luxury in 2012: Rich Upholsteries for Furniture

In 2012, many are looking to add some luxury back into their homes. This could mean new wood flooring in the main room or perhaps some luxury appliances in the kitchen, or it could mean new, rich upholsteries for their furniture. Furniture are among the most important of all home accessories, as no home decor scheme is complete without it. Here’s the low down on the most luxurious upholsteries to upgrade your existing (or new) home accessories and decor, particularly your furniture.

Leather is a look that has come and gone over the years. For the recent home decor trends that have hit the market in recent years, such as industrial, rustic and cottage chic, leather is perfect for furniture because it can be made to look (or perhaps comes with) an authentic, worn and rugged look that says ‘well loved.’ That look is perfect for complimenting a variety of home decor styles, no matter how upscale or casual the space might be.

If looking for leather furniture, be sure to ask questions. A lot of leather today is marketed as leather even if it only contains a mere minor percentage of authentic leather. Those looking to be more eco-friendly (and animal-friendly) may actually want to opt for faux leathers. Just be willing to pay the price, as realistic faux leathers will be significantly more expensive than lower quality, lesser-realistic faux leathers. Though this is true of any furniture upholstery material.

Top your leather furniture with faux fur throw pillows for a great finishing touch for rustic or industrial chic home decor.

Linen is a difficult fabric. It’s beautiful and visually stunning. It can add a ton of visual texture to any space, whether it’s a slipper chair in the bedroom or a sofa set in the living room.

That being said, it’s difficult purely because it’s difficult to clean and maintain. Linen can become stained very easily. It’s best for furniture that does not undergo a lot of wear and tear or use. Daily use is significantly too much for this upholstery.

Of course, it’s also a more expensive fabric; though not as expensive as silk, it is considered a more ‘luxurious’ fabric purely because people view more expensive items as more luxurious.

Silk is another popular luxurious and ‘rich’ upholstery for furniture. However, much like linen, it is difficult to maintain and does not withstand daily wear and tear. It is not well suited for homes with children or pets, as it does become easily damaged. Furthermore, silk must be professionally cleaned to prevent shrinkage or other damage.

That being said, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t invest in any silk furniture. Silk upholsteries are great for items such as an upholstered headboard, because you don’t do a lot of rubbing against the headboard. Occasionally reading a book leaned up against your headboard won’t do nearly as much “damage” as sitting on a sofa made from a silk upholstery, so keep this in mind if you do choose to invest in a silk upholstered furniture item.