One of my favourite parts of decorating is giving a much-loved piece of furniture a new lease of life. Whether it’s an armchair that’s been in the family for years, or a gem you spotted in a vintage shop, there’s something deeply satisfying about re-covering a piece and watching it transform, it’s not just about a new look, but about preserving something that’s already part of your story.
And that’s the beauty of upholstery: when done well, it truly lasts. These are the pieces that stay with you through moves, re-decorating, growing families, they become part of your everyday. With the right fabric, they not only endure but evolve beautifully with your home.
But before the fun part (that moment when your piece comes home, dressed in its new fabric), there’s one important decision to make: which fabric for upholstery should you choose?
It’s a practical choice, yes the fabric needs to hold up to everyday life but it’s also a creative one. The fabric sets the tone, adds personality, and brings the piece to life.
At CINNY, all of our fabrics for upholstery are printed on carefully chosen base cloths that balance texture, durability and character. They’re made to be lived with, loved, and used. Here’s how I like to approach choosing the right one with plenty of ideas to get you started.
The first question I always ask is: where will this piece live, and how much use will it get?
In a busy living room or kitchen, where feet are up, hands are sticky and wine glasses are full, go for something that will stand up to daily life. A busier pattern can be your best friend not only does it bring energy to a room, but it also does a great job of disguising the occasional mark. I love Raine for this, a bold floral that’s full of life or Lorcan Reverse, a leafy stripe on a darker background that feels both classic and practical.
In quieter spaces, like bedrooms or formal sitting rooms, you can be more delicate. A scallop print like Betsy or the soft floral of Jessica brings gentle character, and perfect for occasional pieces that won’t get as much wear.
Pattern is at the heart of what we do at CINNY, and I always say let it do the hard work for you. It’s the quickest way to inject personality, style and feeling into a room and you don’t need to use pattern in abundance to be effective.
Big florals like Raine or Vivien can turn a sofa or armchair into a true focal point. Lorcan Reverse has a rhythm to it that adds subtle structure, like a stripe, but more relaxed. If you’re drawn to something timeless and structured, Arthur Stripe and Marni stripe never miss. Marni, in particular, looks brilliant on smaller pieces like footstools or dining chairs.
For something softer, try Coco or Ella, smaller-scale, dotted prints that act almost like a plain. From a distance, they feel calm and cohesive, but up close they reveal so much beautiful detail.
A key thing to remember: the scale of the pattern should complement the scale of the piece.
Large-scale patterns like Raine or Arthur Stripe are stunning on statement pieces like ottomans, sofas or large headboards, they give the design room to breathe and are impactful. For smaller items, such as bedroom chairs, benches, cushions, medium or small-scale patterns like Marni, Vivien, Coco, or Maggie work beautifully, there is less to cover therefore you see more of the design.
A good balance between the print and the shape of your furniture makes all the difference it keeps everything feeling intentional and harmonious.
Sometimes the colour of your fabric for upholstery is the starting point for a whole room scheme; other times, it’s the missing piece that ties everything together.
I tend to think in colour families when planning upholstery:
Greens are grounding and fresh, greens will always bring the outside in and work beautifully with rustic tones and soft neutrals.
Pinks are joyful and warm, perfect for adding a playful note without overwhelming a space.
Blues are timeless, ideal for spaces that need to feel calm and collected.
Ochres, earthy reds and rusts add instant depth and warmth they make a space feel lived-in and inviting.
What I love most about CINNY colourways is their depth of colour, they’re to use and layer into your scheme, making them easy to work with.
If you’re not sure where to begin, here are a few designs I always come back to:
Lorcan Reverse – A leafy stripe that adds gentle structure; brilliant for family rooms and armchairs.
Arthur Stripe – A bold, confident stripe with a classic feel; great for bigger pieces where the pattern can shine.
Coco – A tiny bean-shaped motif that’s playful yet understated. Works almost like a neutral, with a twist.
Vivien – A small floral inspired by my grandmother’s garden, full of charm, warmth, and gentle nostalgia. Perfect for spaces that feel personal.
Don’t rush it. Order samples (always!). Tape them to your chair, look at them in different light, and live with them for a few days. Fabric behaves differently in every home and when you find the right one, you’ll know.
The joy of reupholstering a piece lies not just in how it looks, but in the story it carries forward. With the right fabric, a well-loved chair or sofa becomes something you’ll enjoy every day and maybe even pass on one day, still beautiful and full of life.
So take your time, trust your instinct, and most of all choose what you love.
And if you’d like a bit of help narrowing the right fabric for upholstery, I’d love to hear from you. Upholstery projects are some of my favourite to help with just email me at info@cinny.co.uk. Let’s find the perfect fabric together 🤎
