Upholstery is a catch-all term that defines the soft materials and fabrics that we fix to furniture pieces like sofas, benches, and ottomans. The right fabric choices can tie together a room, adding a touch of warmth and character to your decor. Even better, reupholstering items in your home can give your interiors a new lease of life, without a major remodel. Here are some creative upholstery ideas to get your imagination flowing.

Upholstery is a great way to add a pop of pattern, color, and texture to a room. Use a colorful fabric to jazz up a blah piece of furniture, creating something more vibrant and unique to your tastes. If you’re feeling bold, go for high-contrast color combinations for maximum impact.

Think outside the box with unconventional fabrics like sheepskin or shearling, which can help create a quirky and characterful home. These kinds of cozy fabrics are a great way to add texture to a boho or Nordic design style.

In a rustic, western home, upholstery provides the key finishing touches to tie together each room. Rugged leather, cowhide, and fringe detailing can be brought in via upholstered sofas, armchairs, benches, and ottomans to bring the western look to life.

Upholstery can also be used to add a stunning pop of color to an otherwise neutral palette, adding richness and depth to your design. Deep, solid colors work well in combination with decorative cushions and ottomans for a cozy and inviting seating area. For a sofa, it’s best to choose fabrics that are stain-resistant, durable, and easy to clean, such as leather, wool, acrylic, or cotton blends.

Bring together an industrial style of decor with rugged leather upholstery, which will add character and depth to a room. Industrial design is typically quite masculine, with dark steel, exposed brick, and unfinished wood, so the right upholstery is needed to make the space inviting and warm. Worn leather is the perfect fit!

Although it’s not always the most practical material, velvet is a characterful and ornate choice for seating. It can offer the perfect finishing touch to a glamorous, art deco style of decor, especially when furniture is upholstered with jewel tones of greens, pinks, and reds.