Hanging upholstery fabric sample books — Skippy Upholstery

Materials

Choose upholstery materials around the way you live: the texture you enjoy, the look of your room, and the demands of everyday use.

Plan Your Project

Start with the way your furniture lives

Upholstery materials shape both the appearance and the feel of furniture. A quiet woven cover, a rich velvet, or a leather seat can bring a different character to the same form. At Skippy Upholstery, the conversation starts with your piece, where it will be used, and what you want from the finished result.

Consider who uses the furniture and how it is cared for. A family sofa, dining chair, and commercial bench face different demands. Share your preferences for texture, color, and pattern, along with any cleaning requirements. Specific performance and care information should be checked for the material under consideration.

Browse our project portfolio for examples, explore custom upholstery, or contact the workshop to discuss your furniture.

Rust geometric upholstered barstools at a kitchen island — Skippy Upholstery

Upholstery workshop worktable and fabric samples — Skippy Upholstery

Red and gold damask carved dining chairs — Skippy Upholstery

Compare upholstery materials with the piece in mind

A small sample can look different across a whole sofa. Think about how a pattern will meet at seams or follow a curved back. Velvet can change with the light and direction of its pile, while leather and vinyl have their own surface character. Cushioning is another choice: the cover alone does not determine how a seat feels.

Use also helps guide the discussion. Our commercial upholstery, automotive upholstery, and medical and dental upholstery services involve different seating needs. Tell us about the setting so we can discuss appropriate options for the project.

For help choosing upholstery materials, request an estimate with photographs, measurements, and any samples or references you already have. Read about our craftsmanship to see how fitting, seams, and finishing work together with the cover you choose. For example, bring a sample into the room where the piece will sit. Check it in daylight and evening light. Also, ask about cleaning instructions before choosing a cover. Repairing useful furniture can reduce waste; see New York State’s reuse and repair guidance.