For many of us, our favourite jumper is a woollen one; cosy, long-lasting and full of character. We firmly believe that upholstered furniture can be as expressive of our personality as our clothes. A woollen upholstery fabric can play its part in this.
Take a journey with us through everything you should know about wool upholstery before embracing it in your home. With the right knowledge and the personalised support of our design consultants in our showrooms, you can pick the very best wool upholstery fabric to suit you.
Be sure to browse through our wool fabric collections and order up to 8 free samples to try out at home.
What to know about wool fabrics
A naturally resilient upholstery fabric, wool can withstand high traffic in busy family homes but also offers beauty in lesser-used rooms, such as studies. It instantly lends a sense of cosiness to a space, and not only in look – its inherent properties make it particularly warm in colder months.
Wool has no shortage of attributes to recommend it, but it also requires some consideration to ensure it is just right for your home particularly. Find out more about this timeless upholstery fabric below and call into one of our nationwide showrooms for a more in-depth chat with your local team.
The different types of wool upholstery
There are several ways that wool can be woven to give it a distinctive look or texture. Below are just a few examples of the weaves you might find in woollen upholstery fabrics:
- Tweed: Tweed is a classic, iconic wool fabric, with roots in the Scottish highlands. Typically woven in a plain or twill weave, tweed is often used in traditional or country-style interiors.
- Bouclé: Bouclé wool is characterised by its looped yarns, creating a richly textured and soft surface. It’s particularly suited to accent chairs or cushions where you want to add texture.
- Herringbone: Herringbone is a type of weave which can be used with wool to create a subtle zigzag pattern. It is a classic design which blends well with both contemporary and traditional décor.
- Houndstooth: Some wool fabrics are woven using a houndstooth weave. Another particularly distinctive yet timeless style, houndstooth is a chequered pattern in two contrasting colours, adding a dynamic, graphic element to upholstery.
Wool and other textiles
The upholstery fabric you choose shapes the character and utility of your home. Wool brings a blend of beauty and durability, but it can be helpful to consider how it compares to other upholstery materials so that you can make the best choice for your space.
- Wool upholstery is known in particular for its insulating properties, making it perfect for warm, cosy interiors. Linen, on the other hand, is particularly favoured for its breathability and temperature regulation all year round.
- Wool is generally more resilient than linen, which can wrinkle easily and requires more maintenance to keep its best appearance.
- Linen brings a relaxed, coastal aesthetic to interiors while wool is ideal for formal spaces or cosy nooks inspired by the country aesthetic.
- Though cotton upholstery can still offer longevity, wool is more resilient to wear, owing to its natural keratin content which helps it maintain its shape and appearance – even with regular usage.
- Wool’s natural insulation makes it warmer, while cotton’s lighter feel is better suited for casual, cool spaces.
- From an eco-conscious perspective, wool uses less water to produce than cotton, offering a more responsible choice.
- Cotton is typically resistant to piling, while wool is not.
- In many ways, wool and velvet offer opposing aesthetics – while velvet is opulent, luxurious and contemporary, wool is natural, earthy and homely.
- Wool is naturally inherent meaning it does not need to be treated with chemicals for fire resistance in the way that a polyester velvet might need to be.
- Wool does not gather dust – as such, it might be considered a lower-maintenance upholstery fabric than velvet, which requires fairly regular cleaning and brushing.
How to choose wool upholstery for your home
A sofa, armchair or bed in a wool fabric is the epitome of an investment piece. Designed with the long view in mind, and upholstered in only the finest quality fabrics, our furniture is intended to be a part of your home for many years. It’s important to make sure a wool fabric is right for you by considering the below points.
- Wool is well-suited to furniture which will see high traffic, as it naturally retains its beauty and integrity over years of usage.
- Similarly, wool can be used in more formal rooms to create a traditional décor which looks tailored and polished.
- You can embrace the natural cosiness of a wool upholstery fabric by taking advantage of it in studies and drawing rooms, or on a wingback armchair or footstool for dozing by the hearth.
- You should avoid placing wool upholstered furniture in humid rooms, such as the kitchen or bathrooms, as it will absorb moisture and can be prone to mould.
- For a serene and cohesive look, wool is excellent in neutral tones such as soft greys, beiges or creams.
- Wool can also be made the focal point of a room with deep, rich plains such as navy, forest green or burgundy. For an even bolder approach, patterned weaves like houndstooth or pinstripe can offer a striking visual contrast.
- To avoid it yellowing over time, it’s wise to position your wool-upholstered furniture out of direct sunlight.
- As with any upholstery fabric, hoovering with a soft brush attachment now and then can help to keep your furniture looking fresh and clean.
- You can keep any pilling at bay with a ‘bobble buster’ or de-pilling brush.
A look into our wool fabric library
Our wool fabric collections offer a rich variety of textures, weaves, colours and patterns, carefully selected for their quality and character. From classic tweeds to soft plain weaves, below we showcase some of our favourite wool fabrics. To explore the full selection, we invite you to visit our welcoming, inspiring showrooms across the UK.
Essentials Fabrics: Soft Wool
Our Soft Wool collection is beautifully soft and tactile, perfect for creating a cosy and inviting atmosphere in a living room or bedroom. The subtle texture and plain finish make it versatile enough to complement both traditional and contemporary furniture.
Soft Wool: Denim
Soft Wool: Wisp
Soft Wool: Wolf
Exclusives Fabrics: Cloth 22 – Pinstripe
The Cloth 22 Pinstripe collection features sharp, evenly spaced stripes that bring a tailored, sophisticated look to sofas, armchairs and headboards. This 50% wool, 50% cotton blend is perfect for those seeking to introduce a refined, yet contemporary edge to both rustic and urban interiors.
Cloth 22: Pinstripe Courgette
Cloth 22: Pinstripe Deep Water
Cloth 22: Pinstripe Peat
Signature Fabrics: Harris Tweed House
Our Harris Tweed House is an iconic fabric, handwoven on the Outer Hebrides using 100% virgin wool. Each piece tells a story of craftsmanship and tradition, making it a splendid choice for adding depth and authenticity to statement chairs or bespoke sofas.
Harris Tweed House: Green
Harris Tweed House: Grey
Harris Tweed House: Midnight Blue
Find your perfect wool upholstery with Sofas & Stuff
Wool upholstery offers a blend of natural beauty, longevity and timeless appeal that is hard to match. Whether you’re drawn to its warmth or classic aesthetic a wool-upholstered piece from Sofas & Stuff is an investment in quality and style.
We invite you to visit one of our nationwide showrooms for a one-on-one design consultation, where our expert consultants will help you choose the perfect wool fabric for you. Additionally, don’t forget to order up to 8 free fabric samples to experience the fine quality of our wool fabrics in the comfort of your own home.
Wool upholstery FAQs
Wool is considered to be hypoallergenic, in the right conditions resisting bacteria, mould and mildew which might cause allergic reactions in people. Its naturally inherent properties also mean that it does not require chemicals for fire resistance, making it suitable for those who need to avoid these treatments.
Owing to its lanolin coating, wool has natural water-repellent properties which generally makes it more resistant to stains and spills. However, prompt action is key. Blot spills immediately with a clean, dry cloth, and avoid rubbing.
Although wool is a durable material, we would generally recommend opting for a performance fabric for pet-friendly homes, such as a polyester velvet or other synthetic blended fabrics engineered for easy cleaning and enhanced stain resistance. Also, a linen-viscose blend, with a tight, smooth weave, is a good alternative.