Rayon Upholstery Fabric

Rayon Upholstery Fabric

If you are planning to do an upholstery project, rayon is one of the many fabric options that you may have come across. It’s important that you take a look at not only the good characteristics of the textile you are considering but the not-so-great characteristics, too. That will help you to ensure the fabric that you choose is an aesthetically pleasing choice for you, but also a choice that will fit your more practical needs.

Take a look below for a quick rundown of both the pros and cons of rayon as an upholstery fabric choice. 

Advantages of Rayon Upholstery Fabric

Rayon upholstery fabric has its own set of advantages, so there are several reasons why it could be a good choice for your upholstery project. Read on for some of the advantages of rayon fabric, so that you can see if it is a good option for you and your particular needs.

Sustainability 

Rayon is a sustainable fabric choice because it is actually made from wood pulp or cellulose. For those who want more eco-friendly fabric options, this can make rayon a great choice!

Price

Rayon is not as expensive as some other upholstery fabrics, but it is not the cheapest option, either. If you were looking at a fabric that was way out of budget, polyester may be an option that is easier on your wallet.

Appearance

Rayon fabrics comes in plenty of colours and print options. This makes it entirely possible to find a colorway that will match up with the pre-existing aesthetic of the room you are placing your furniture. That way, you do not have to change your decor to match the fabric.

Alternatively, you can redesign the room around your fabric choice if you feel like your home needs a refresh. It is also soft and drapes well, which can be comfortable for sitting on and helpful for the upholstery process, too!

Disadvantages of Rayon Upholstery Fabric

Just as rayon has its advantages, it has certain disadvantages, too! If you are contemplating using this fabric for your upholstery needs, you should be sure that you are aware of its pros but its cons as well. Take a look at some of the disadvantages of rayon, which we will discuss below.

Durability

Rayon is not one of the more durable fabrics that you could pick for your upholstery project. If you expect your furniture to see a lot of use and love, it may not be the wisest choice for this reason. For instance, it is susceptible to sun damage and can tear or rip easily. If you have children or pets with nails that will be on the furniture, this should definitely be a concern of yours! 

Wrinkles Easily

If you are sitting on your fabric choice a lot, you will want to choose a textile that does not wrinkle or crumple easily. Unfortunately, rayon is one of the fabrics that wrinkles easily, so you should be aware of this before you make the decision to upholster with rayon. If your upholstered furniture is wrinkled, it will look more damaged– and older– than it actually is. It may also mean that you need to reupholster the furniture piece sooner than you’d like.

Sustainability

Yes, sustainability is in the pros section, but it is also a con. While it is made from naturally occurring materials, the process that is used to turn it into fibres and then into fabric is not as sustainable as it seems. The process uses chemicals to break down the wood pulp, so many people believe that the sustainable label of the fabric is not as accurate as it is portrayed to be. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is rayon upholstery?

Rayon upholstery is an upholstery approach where you use rayon fabric to upholster your furniture. Rayon is a fibre that is made from wood pulp, or cellulose, and is typically blended with another fibre to make upholstery fabric. It has natural fibre components, but also synthetic fibre components, so it is classified as a semi-natural fibre. 

What is the most durable fabric for upholstery?

When you are looking to upholster your furniture, you should choose something that you find visually appealing, but it is also important to ensure that your choice stands up to the demands of your home and your lifestyle, too. For instance, if you have children or pets, you will likely want to choose something more durable that can withstand wear and tear. Some of the most durable upholstery fabrics are leather and microfiber. It is important to look for microfiber that is 100% polyester so that it will have properties of stain resistance, as well as being resistant to normal wear and tear. 

Is rayon a durable fabric?

Rayon is not a very durable fabric, and it will not hold up to wear and tear as well as other upholstery fabrics out there. It is best used for furniture that is not in use every day, otherwise, you may find that you have to reupholster your furniture earlier than you would have liked to. In fact, rayon behaves similarly to silk, so if you have already determined that silk is not a good fit for your needs, it is likely that rayon will not be as durable as you need it to be, either!

What is the best fabric to reupholster a couch?

There is not necessarily the best fabric to use to reupholster your couch because what is best for you also depends on your needs. However, some of the best fabrics to upholster a couch with are fabrics that are durable, since your couch is likely to get a lot of use!

Microfiber is one great choice, and it can be stain resistant as well as in general resistant to normal wear and tear. Leather is another great option when it comes to durable fabrics, but real leather can be pricey and may not fit in your budget.

If you would like to compare some other types of fabrics that are suitable for upholstery, visit our blog on How To Choose Upholstery Fabric. If durability is a very important to you when choosing an upholstery fabric, visit Upholstery Fabric Durability Ratings.