Upholstery handbook COVER STORY

FROM SOFAS TO BEDHEADS, HERE'S ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE - AND MORE FOR GOOD MEASURE

-  CHRIS PEARSON

Upholstered furniture, especially sofas, can be the most expensive decision you have to make when it comes to furnishing your home. And as those sofas and bedheads, in particular, take a starring role in a room, choose with care, as mistakes can be costly.

Your decision should not just be ruled by what immediately takes your fancy. Other aspects to consider include the scale of the piece - too big and it can take over, too small and your lounge looks like a doll's house. There is also the profile, the style - a retro style could be a mismatch in a traditional room the fabric and the filling. The fabric will affect both the durability and the overall look, while the filling will affect comfort and durability.

Last, but never least, why not accessorise with buttons, pleats and piping for that final flourish? Sofas, armchairs, ottomans, dining chairs and bedheads - whether you're buying ready-made, bespoke or having that favourite piece revived, in this must-have guide, we have absolutely everything covered.

Take your weave

Texture rules in upholstery fabrics, in chunky bouclés and slinky velvets. "We see a trend towards two major groups - calm, clean and minimalist, and bold, rich and maximalist," says Cameron Warwick of Warwick textile suppliers. "Comforting textured fabrics, such as our 'Fabio' and 'Ovis' bouclés, are popular, while we've also had a great response to the maximalist velvet prints in our tropical 'Picton' and 'Zanzibar' collections." Adds Justin Puddick of Justin Puddick Upholstery, "Pure linen has been popular for the last 15 years, while bouclé and cotton and linen blends have increased in popularity." The colours du jour? "Still the neutrals, such as beiges, off-whites, fawns and taupes."

Switch things up