A guide to different cushion cover fabrics

1. Silk or Wool

Silk and wool cushion coverings are two of the most premium choices, and are hence mostly used indoors. Silk is the premium variant and is used for bedrooms at large. The same goes for satin cushion covers. Wool or silk cushion covers (or fur cushion covers) can also be used in places where your cushions are perhaps more for decoration than function, like a hallway bench or a garden chair. Silk is widely accepted as the most luxurious fabric available and hence silk cushion covers can be pretty expensive. There is a silver lining though - with the appropriate type and amount of care, it can last you a lifetime. Wool can be made or spun from a variety of animals such as sheep or goats or alpacas.

2. Cotton and Linen

Cotton and Linen are two of the most widely sought after fabrics in the manufacturing of sofa cushion covers for living room. Both these fabrics have varieties that are washable. Cotton and Linen are natural fibres and hence are a good choice for both sensitive-skinned humans and pets. They are excellent for use in the summer  as they are incredibly cool to the touch. Linen can sometimes get creases, so it may not be a good choice for an indoor location like a sofa or chair. Both linen and cotton cushion covers are a good choice for outdoor use as long as they are not exposed to the elements like rain or extreme sun. If this happens, sun bleaching and colour fading can set in. If both fabrics are used in an outdoor setting extensively, then a linen or cotton cushion cover can facade and lose their texture and value. These can be also available as printed cushion covers or embroidered cushion covers.

3. Polyester and Nylon

For general cushion cover fabrics around the home (especially if you have a rented home) there are various types of synthetic materials available in the market. Variants like polyester or nylon have been used in the manufacture of cushion covers for a long time. Most synthetic materials are a combination of various fibres and can be customised to imitate anything - silk, wool or even leather. Cushion covers can be made out of vinyl, which is a synthetic fabric created to imitate leather. Unfortunately, vinyl does not have the ageing qualities or the durability that leather possesses. Synthetic materials are typically hard-wearing and durable. These traits along with being washable and heavy duty makes polyester cushion covers and nylon cushion covers an excellent option for high usage areas in the home. Areas like the kitchen, lounge or dining room could benefit from polyester cushion covers and nylon cushions covers.

4. Leather

Leather is one of the most premium substances to be used for cushion covering on the planet. It therefore has a low adoption rate and can often be overlooked as even an option available for a cushion cover fabric.However, leather is very durable  and if cared for properly, it can be an amazing choice for areas of the home that see heavy usage. Leather, for cushion cover, is also one of the few fabrics that age like fine wine - meaning it becomes better with age as the patina and texture matures. A leather cushion cover would be a high-maintenance product and can be difficult to clean. 

5. Canvas

Canvas cushion cover fabric is one of the best choices for the outdoors. Canvas is an extremely strong fabric made out of cotton. It is incredibly hard-wearing and very resistant to the effects of the elements. It can be waterproofed easily and is available in a plethora of colours. PVC fabrics are a variant of canvas that are excellent for canvas cushions covers for cushions deployed for outdoor use on the patio, gallery, or the garden bench.

Before you finalise a fabric for your cushion coverings, think about two factors - the cushion's use and the cushion's frequency of use in your home. Always go for durability and versatility in cases where the cushion that you are covering is being used in high usage areas like the living room or bedroom. Keep the finer and more premium versions of fabric-covered cushions for areas where the covers won’t be ruined too quickly.