Choosing and buying upholstery fabric online can feel overwhelming. With so many colours, patterns, textures and fabric types available, it can be difficult to know which fabric will work best for your project.
At ModEco Home, we specialise in custom printed fabric created for customers who want something truly unique. Whether you are transforming a favourite chair, upholstering a statement sofa, working with an interior designer, or sourcing fabrics for a trade project, choosing the right fabric is incredibly important. It’s about finding the perfect balance between beauty, practicality and performance.
Unlike traditional fabric houses that rely on large quantities of pre-produced stock, ModEco Home offers a print-on-demand fabric service. This allows you to order the designs you love without the need for unnecessary stock or waste.
Chinese Vases – Chinoiserie Chic epitomized.
Before Buying Upholstery Fabric Online, here are 10 important questions we recommend asking.
1. Is this fabric suitable for upholstery?
The first question to ask is whether the fabric is suitable for your intended use, as not every beautiful fabric is designed for furniture. Upholstery fabrics need to withstand daily use, including sitting, movement, friction and cleaning.
At ModEco Home, our printed upholstery fabric is designed for interior projects where both style and practicality matter. Whether you are upholstering an occasional chair, dining chairs, a headboard or a statement sofa, it is important to choose a fabric that suits the demands of the finished piece.
2. How durable is the fabric?
A beautiful design is only the beginning. Your upholstery fabric also needs to perform well.
When choosing durable upholstery fabric, consider how your furniture will be used. A decorative chair may require something different from a family sofa, a dining area or a commercial interior. For interior designers, upholsterers and trade customers, durability is especially important when selecting fabrics for client projects.
We recommend checking the fabric specifications, including information such as rub count or Martindale rating, to ensure your chosen fabric is suitable for your intended application. At ModEco Home, we believe that exceptional design should not come at the expense of quality and practicality.
3. What is the fabric made from and is it fire retardant?
Understanding what your upholstery fabric is made from is an important part of choosing the right material.
Fabric composition affects the texture, appearance, durability and care requirements. Fabrics may be made from natural fibres such as cotton and linen, synthetic fibres such as polyester, or blends, that combine the benefits of different materials.
Another important consideration is whether a fabric is fire retardant (FR). Not all upholstery fabrics are fire retardant, and for many domestic home projects, fire-retardant fabric is not always required. However, some commercial environments, hospitality projects and specific applications may require fabrics that meet fire safety standards.
If a ModEco Home fabric is fire retardant, it will be clearly marked with the FR symbol alongside the product information. As with our Pink Paisley in certain fabric offerings.
4. What size is the pattern repeat?
When choosing printed upholstery fabric, the pattern repeat is one of the most important details to consider. The pattern repeat shows how often the design repeats across the fabric. This is particularly important for larger statement designs, where the placement of the pattern can make a significant difference to the finished look of your furniture.
At ModEco Home, our pattern repeats are completely customisable. This gives you greater flexibility when working on upholstery projects and allows your upholsterer to pattern match more easily, helping to achieve a more professional and seamless finish. This is especially valuable for larger pieces such as sofas, armchairs, headboards and curtains, where careful placement of a design can elevate the final result.
Elysian – ModEco shown in small, medium and large scale sizes.
Many of our customers choose ModEco Home fabrics because they are looking for distinctive designs, including floral upholstery fabric, botanical prints and bold statement patterns. The ability to customise pattern scale and repeat means your chosen design can be adapted to work perfectly for your individual project.
Before ordering, we recommend discussing your requirements with your upholsterer and considering the ideal pattern placement for your furniture.
5. Can I order a fabric sample before buying?
Yes… and we always recommend it! Ordering a sample is the best way to experience the true colour, texture and quality of a fabric before committing to your project.
Colours can vary depending on screen settings, lighting and surrounding colours in your home. A sample allows you to see how the fabric works with your existing furniture, paint colours and interior style.
6. How much upholstery fabric will I need?
One of the most common questions we receive is: “How much fabric do I need?”
The answer depends on the size and shape of your furniture, fabric width, pattern repeat and whether the design needs to be matched. A dining chair may only require half a metre, while a large sofa or headboard may require considerably more.
If you are working with an upholsterer, they will usually be able to calculate your requirements. We also recommend ordering carefully, as pattern matching may require additional fabric. Our upholstery fabric by the metre service makes it easy to order exactly what you need for your project.
7. How should the fabric be cleaned and cared for?
Every upholstery fabric has different care requirements. Hence, it is important to understand how to look after your chosen design before placing your order.
At ModEco Home, we provide detailed care instructions for every fabric we offer, helping you understand how to clean and maintain your chosen design correctly.
Before ordering, consider:
- Will the fabric be used in a high-traffic area?
- Will it need regular cleaning?
- Is it being used in a home with children or pets?
Following the recommended care instructions will help preserve the beauty and performance of your fabric. This allows your furniture to remain a stunning feature of your home for many years.
8. Will the colour and design look the same as it does online?
Buying upholstery fabric online is incredibly convenient, but digital screens cannot always perfectly represent the exact colour and texture of a fabric. This is why ordering a sample is so important, particularly with bespoke designs and bold patterns.
Our customers choose ModEco Home because they are looking for fabrics that are different from mass-produced collections. From unique colour combinations to exclusive patterns, our designs are created for interiors that stand out.
9. Can the fabric be customised?
One of the biggest benefits of choosing print-on-demand fabric is the ability to create something truly individual.
At ModEco Home, our fabrics are highly customisable, giving you the flexibility to create a design that works perfectly for your interior project. As well as offering a wide range of exclusive patterns, many of our designs can be adapted by changing the scale of the pattern. All to suit your specific requirements. For selected designs, we can also customise the colours, allowing you to create a fabric that complements your existing colour scheme.
Our custom printed fabric are ideal for homeowners, interior designers and upholsterers looking for something completely bespoke.
10. What happens after I place my order?
Understanding the ordering process helps ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience when purchasing print-on-demand fabric.
At ModEco Home, every fabric order is produced specifically for you. Once your order has been placed, our production process normally takes 3–4 working days before your fabric is ready to be shipped. Shipping times will vary depending on your location, but delivery typically takes 3–7 days, allowing us to supply customers all over the world.
Because ModEco Home uses a made-to-order fabric model, you can reorder the same print whenever you need it. This is particularly valuable for upholstery projects, where additional fabric may be required for future repairs, extensions or matching pieces.
We ship worldwide, making our collection of bespoke upholstery fabric accessible to customers across the globe.
Final Thoughts
Buying Upholstery Fabric Online should be an exciting part of creating your interior, not a stressful one. Whether you are restoring a treasured piece of furniture, designing a bespoke room scheme or sourcing fabrics for a client project, the right fabric can completely transform a space.
At ModEco Home, we believe interiors should be individual. Our collection of luxury upholstery fabric gives you the freedom to create furniture that is as unique as your home.
If you are still unsure which fabric is right for your project or just want further advice then we are here to help. Alternatively we can communicate direct with your upholsterer if you prefer.
