So, you've found your dream sofa silhouette — yay! Now comes the part that makes even the most decisive person pause: choosing the fabric. And right at the heart of this decision is a fundamental question: should you go for natural or synthetic upholstery?
This debate isn’t widely discussed, but as we delve into this blog, you’ll see us making a case for why it definitely should be. In short, both options have genuine merit, and the "best" choice really depends on your lifestyle, priorities, and how you plan to live with your furniture.
Read on: we're going to break down everything you need to know about natural and synthetic fabrics — from how they look and feel to how they perform in real-life situations. By the end of this blog, you'll have a clear sense of which fabric is calling your name.
Natural vs. Synthetic Fabrics: What's the real difference?
Before we dive into the details, let's get clear on what we're actually talking about.
Natural fabrics come from plants or animals, like linen from flax, cotton from cotton plants, or wool from sheep. These materials bring all the character — and sometimes quirks — of their natural origins.
Synthetic fabrics are human-made materials, usually petroleum-based. The most common synthetic fabrics you'll encounter in furniture are polyester, recycled polyester, and olefin (also called polypropylene). These materials have been engineered specifically to meet the needs of modern, busy households.
Look and Feel
How your sofa looks and feels is probably the first thing you care about. After all, what's the point of choosing the most durable fabric on earth if you don't actually want to relax on it?
Natural fabrics have a certain je ne sais quoi that's hard to replicate. There's a reason interior designers often swoon over natural textiles — they have an organic, lived-in quality that feels warm and inviting right out of the gate.
Natural fibers often have subtle variations in texture and color that create depth and visual interest. Linen has those gorgeous little slubs (those are the thick and thin areas in the yarn), cotton has a beautiful, matte woven finish, and wool brings an organic texture, warmth, and natural built-in stain resistance.
Some swear by the feel of natural fibers, praising cotton’s breathability or wool’s inherent durability. Others claim linen is the most luxe-feeling material for a sofa. Ultimately, it’s down to personal preference.
Conversely, modern synthetic fabrics have upped their game in texture and feel and are a long way from the slippery, plastic-y materials of decades past! Today's synthetic fabrics can mimic the look of natural materials incredibly well, or embrace their own sleek, contemporary aesthetic.
Many synthetic fabrics have a soft hand (fabric-speak for how it feels) that's comfortable for everyday lounging. Chenilles are often buttery-soft, and other textured weaves are loved for their luxe and velvety feel. Moreover, synthetic fabric colors tend to be more vibrant and consistent, which is great if you're going for a precise look or are really wanting that particular shade of deep blue-green.
Durability, Cleanability, and Maintenance
Different types of fabrics excel in different areas, and when discussing durability, a key point is to review how stain resistance and general ease of cleanability plays into your particular fabric choice.
Natural fabrics generally need more TLC when it comes to cleaning and maintenance. For the most part, natural fibers absorb liquids faster and are more prone to holding onto stains, especially when the fabric hasn’t been treated with a stain-resistant finish. This makes cleaning more difficult, giving you less time to address a stain before it penetrates deeply into the fabric.
Medley’s natural fabrics include beautiful linens, cozy cotton slubs, and timeless leathers, many of which have plant-based stain resistance for added protection (more on that below). In addition, the majority of our collections offer machine-washable cushion covers, so you get natural beauty with practical care. It’s important to realize that a natural fabric will change over the course of its life and often develops character over time. Softening, wrinkling, or developing a "lived-in" patina is a frequent characteristic of natural fibers — for many people it’s akin to your favorite cotton sweatshirt after many wears.
Synthetic fabrics are the low-maintenance champions of the sofa upholstery world, and are much more forgiving when it comes to cleaning. If easy maintenance is non-negotiable, synthetic fabrics are the choice for you.
Synthetic fibers have built-in stain resistance because these fabrics are woven from plastic-based fibers, which means they allow water and spills to bead up on the surface. They inherently absorb less liquid, giving you time to clean before a stain absorbs and sets.
For households with high-traffic (adults, kids, or pets can all make messes) that need a dependable sofa fabric to withstand wear and tear, a synthetic or “performance” fabric can be a holy grail. Synthetic fabrics, unlike their natural counterparts, are specifically designed to maintain their original look and feel long after delivery day. A durable synthetic fabric stands up to repeat movie nights, arts and crafts projects, and occasional washings without noticeable changes.
Hot tip: You’ll find that many synthetic fabrics are called “performance” fabrics, which hints at their durability and stain resistance. A “performance” fabric is a recent marketing term that refers to fabrics, usually made entirely or mostly from synthetic fibers and are engineered to repel liquids, withstand heavy use, and endure repeated washings without losing their shape or functionality. Usually, performance fabrics are made with fibers that have inherently durable qualities, such as polyester or olefin.
Making Healthier Fabric Choices
There’s a lot to keep track of these days: with terms like PFAS, VOCs, stain-resistant treatments and flame retardants, there’s much to consider when making a healthy fabric choice for your home and family. Both synthetic and natural fabrics may carry potential risks to your health, depending on where they are sourced and what they are treated with.
Fabric Finishes and Stain Resistant Treatments: Additional Protection
Stain-resistant treatments are quite common nowadays, and offer an extra oomph of protection for your sofa or sectional. Both natural and synthetic fabrics can be armed with stain-resistant finishes, helping make them more resistant to spills, stains, and odors. This invisible shield also provides easier cleaning and peace of mind. Asking questions about the finish will help you determine if it could be right for you.
While synthetic performance fabrics with stain-repellent treatments offer the best protection against everyday spills, lack of quality certifications or transparency about material content can create uncertainty about whether you're making the right choice for your home. Natural fabrics also raise concerns when treated with stain and liquid repellents, especially without clear information about the ingredients used.
A primary concern with many stain-resistant treatments is the persistent use of chemicals known as Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS). Colloquially, they’ve been dubbed "forever chemicals", and studies have shown that these substances have been linked to serious health and environmental problems. If the relevant stain resistance information isn’t readily provided, it’s important to do your due diligence and ask questions.
Testing for PFAS is part of Medley’s mission-driven approach to source safer, more environmentally-friendly materials using an independent 3rd-party testing lab to confirm all of our finishes (and fabrics) are non-detect for PFAS, formaldehyde, and flame retardants. And luckily, there are a few alternative formulas out there to offer viable stain resistance without resorting to the use of PFAS.
When Choosing Fabric, Certified is Best
The team at Medley spends a lot of time obsessing about fabrics, and we’re continually sourcing out new options and raising our quality, durability, and sustainability standards. We've specially selected all of our fabric collections to be certified by GREENGUARD Gold or OEKO-TEX 100.
At Medley, our synthetic fabrics are all GREENGUARD Gold Certified, meaning they meet rigorous standards for low VOC emissions and product safety. Products that carry the GREENGUARD Gold certification have been screened for more than 15,000 volatile organic compounds (VOCs) known to pollute indoor air, which help reduce the risk of chemical exposure within your home. All in all, with this certification, you get serious performance without compromising indoor air quality or bringing harmful chemicals into your home.
Medley’s natural fabrics carry the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification, which ensures that certified fabrics and materials are free from over 100 harmful chemicals in over 17 chemical groups, including flame retardants, formaldehyde, heavy metals, and pesticides. Many of our natural fabric collections are treated with our plant-based stain repellent, which brings them closer to synthetic performance levels while preserving their organic appeal.
Lifestyle considerations: Finding your perfect match
Choose natural fabrics if: |
Choose synthetic fabrics if: |
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✓ You love how fabrics “live” and develop character with use over time |
✓ Easy maintenance is non-negotiable |
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✓ You don't have high-traffic stain risks |
✓ You have kids, pets, or high-traffic situations |
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✓ You're willing to be more careful or invest in professional cleaning |
✓ You want maximum stain and wear resistance |
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✓ You have removable, washable cushion covers |
✓ You prefer fabrics that maintain their original appearance |
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✓ Sustainability and biodegradability are top priorities |
✓ You want vibrant or fade-resistant colors |
In the end, it’s most helpful to be realistic about how you and your household live with your sofa. For families with young children, spills, sticky fingers, and crayon incidents happen. For pet owners, pet fur, muddy paws, occasional accidents, and scratching all need to be considered.
The Medley approach: Best of both worlds
Here at Medley, we offer carefully curated options in both natural and synthetic categories, all of which have been selected for quality, safety, and performance. Our team is happy to help you choose the right fabric for your lifestyle and needs.
Order up to 7 free fabric swatches to test options in your actual space before committing. You’ll see how they look in your own home’s lighting, feel them with your hands, and even test their durability (go ahead, rub chocolate on a swatch!). And always remember, the best fabric is the one that lets you enjoy your furniture fully.
