--- title: "How to Choose Couch Fabric | Trysofic Projects" url: https://trysoficprojects.co.za/blog/choosing-couch-fabric/ --- ![A wall of accent cushions in velvets and patterned fabrics](/_astro/cushions-wall.UZvvUyIL_ZjgLID.jpg) [Home](/)/[Advice](/blog/) Fabric # Choosing fabric for a couch that gets used every day ## In short Velvet, weaves, leather or leather-look? How to choose couch fabric for kids, dogs and a sunny lounge, and why we bring the samples to your house. By the Trysofic team · 28 September 2026 [Get a free quote](#quote)[★★★★★**4.9** from 300+ Google reviews](https://maps.google.com/?cid=15645396653824375776) ![After: Red-and-black chesterfield, re-covered in teal velvet](/_astro/ba-03-after.CZa9QZ2m_Z1QjALH.webp) ![Before: Red-and-black chesterfield, re-covered in teal velvet](/_astro/ba-03-before.D9ASENsH_1x1wLh.webp) BeforeAfter Red-and-black chesterfield, re-covered in teal velvetBefore / after On this page 1. [Start with who sits on it](#start-with-who-sits-on-it) 2. [Then look at the light](#then-look-at-the-light) 3. [Leather or leather-look](#leather-or-leather-look) 4. [Ask how long it’ll last](#ask-how-long-itll-last) 5. [Book the sample visit](#book-the-sample-visit) A colour you pick under a shop’s white lights changes in your lounge at 5pm. So we bring the samples to your house. Preneshni Moodley wrote that there was “absolutely no pressure” while choosing, and you should take the same time. ## Start with who sits on it ### Kids Go for a tight weave or leather-look in a mid tone. Very pale and very dark both show everything. ### Dogs and cats Claws catch in loose, loopy weaves. A tight flat weave or leather-look survives longer. Bronwyn Shand went a step further and had a matching cover made for the dog’s steps. ### Just you This is where velvet makes sense. It’s soft and rich, and it holds colour beautifully. The red-and-black chesterfield in the slider above went teal velvet. Marilyn Rukande’s dining chairs went Pluto velvet. ### A restaurant, office or clinic Wipe-clean leather-look or a commercial fabric, every time. See [commercial seating](/services/commercial-upholstery/). ## Then look at the light If your couch sits in afternoon sun, strong colours can fade on the side facing the window. Hold the sample where the couch stands, at the time of day you use the room most. Ask us which of the samples take sun better. ## Leather or leather-look Genuine leather costs more and softens with age. Leather-look is lighter on the budget and easy to wipe down. We’ve re-covered plenty of peeling black couches, so ask what you’re buying. The [leather repair page](/services/leather-couch-repair/) shows two of those jobs. ## Ask how long it’ll last Every fabric wears differently. When you’ve narrowed it down to 2 or 3 samples, ask us how many years we’d expect from each on your couch. Senamile Sithole wrote about waiting to see if the fabric would last “the number of years they estimated for the material I chose”. That’s the right question to ask. ## Book the sample visit WhatsApp a photo of your couch to 074 019 9297 and tell us who uses it. We’ll bring samples that fit. ## Questions we get asked ### Can I bring my own fabric? Ask Kwanele when you send the photo. He'll need to check it's upholstery weight and that there's enough of it. ### How many samples do you bring? Plenty. Muhammed Farouk Yesufu described it on Google as "an overwhelming bag of samples to choose from". Get a price WhatsApp a photo of the piece and Kwanele will quote you. [WhatsApp 074 019 9297](https://api.whatsapp.com/send/?phone=27740199297&text&type=phone_number&app_absent=0) Read next - [Leather couch repair and re-covering](/services/leather-couch-repair/) - [Chesterfield reupholstery, buttons and studs done properly](/services/chesterfield-reupholstery/) - [Dining chair reupholstery, one chair or the whole set](/services/dining-chair-reupholstery/) - [Couch reupholstery in Johannesburg and Soweto](/services/couch-reupholstery/) - [What does it cost to reupholster a couch in Johannesburg?](/blog/couch-reupholstery-cost-johannesburg/) ![A couch we reupholstered](/_astro/contact-bg.CUHl57HH_Q8twa.webp) Contact us ## Tell us about your couch Send us the details and a photo, and Kwanele will get back to you with a price. Not sure what it needs? That's fine. We'll look at it and tell you. Workshop [Vundla Street, Jabavu, Soweto, 1818](https://maps.google.com/?cid=15645396653824375776) Call or WhatsApp [074 019 9297](tel:+27740199297) Email [info@trysoficprojects.co.za](mailto:info@trysoficprojects.co.za)