The last five years have witnessed a quiet revolution in the way we live. Home is no longer just where we spend our time, but a place to retreat to, recharge and truly be ourselves. In response, interiors are becoming softer, more sustainable, and more personal – with upholstery fabric playing a central role.
More than just decorative, our fabric choices reflect how we want to live, favouring comfort, quality and character over fleeting fashions. In this guide, we explore the key upholstery fabric trends shaping 2025, from cocooning textures to enduring craftsmanship; rich, earthy tones to expressive prints.
It’s a celebration of fabrics that not only elevate our living spaces, but help make them feel like home.
Soft, tactile textures take centre stage
As we continue to seek comfort and sanctuary in our homes, cocooning textures have become one of the most talked-about upholstery fabric trends. Interiors are softening – quite literally – with plush, tactile fabrics: think bouclé, chenille, wool or velvet.
The joy of these textural beauties lies in their quiet power to elevate modern elements in a room: a slubby bouclé such as Sienna, or a discreet wool chenille like Faroe, will transform minimalist sofas into standout pieces. Witness this pared-back sofa in our Moleskin velvet in Moss. Irresistibly strokeable, yet robust enough for daily use, it adds instant soul to a clean-lined space.
Highly tactile fabrics like this are catnip for interior designers, not just because they bring depth without clutter to modern interiors, but because they also hold their own in more layered, expressive schemes. In a space full of pattern or colour, a textured upholstery fabric can act as a grounding element, something that quietly anchors the look while adding a subtle richness of its own. It’s about weaving in comfort and personality – the subtle touches that make a space feel lived-in, and loved.
Natural and sustainable materials
Of all the upholstery fabric trends gathering momentum, the shift towards sustainability shows no sign of slowing. Increasingly, we want our homes to reflect not just our taste, but our values – and that means choosing fabrics that tread lightly on the planet.
Enter the new wave of eco-conscious textiles: from inherently green fibres like hemp and linen, to clever designs spun from recycled synthetics. Linen, with its low-impact credentials and quiet elegance, is a standout – equally at home in modern settings or, as seen here, in a classic country house, where Trapeze linen in Miami channels the charm of a hand-blocked print.
Wool is another natural wonder: renewable, durable, and naturally fire retardant. Our Romney collection, sourced and woven in the UK, keeps things local and low-carbon. And while conventional cotton is notoriously water-intensive to produce, its sustainable iterations – organic or recycled – are far gentler choices. Just look to our Verde range of recycled cotton fabrics for proof.
And synthetics are proving they can be part of the solution. Take Omega III velvet, whose pile features recycled polyester made from plastic waste. It’s smart, soft, and satisfying on every level – visually, texturally, and ethically.
Warm neutrals & earthy colour palette
Neutral colour schemes will never go out of fashion, but today’s versions are decidedly warmer and more soulful. Stark whites and cool greys have given way to nuanced shades like sand, oat and clay, anchored by earthy tones of rust, olive and midnight blue. The effect is grounding and enveloping – colours that make a space feel instantly calm and lived-in.
These richer, more organic hues speak to a growing desire for homes that offer comfort and connection. Warm, composed, and quietly expressive, their enduring appeal lies in their versatility: they are equally at home in modern interiors or layered into more traditional spaces.
While plain textural fabrics sing in these tones, don’t overlook the power of pattern. Take Songbird, our large-scale printed velvet inspired by crewelwork embroidery. Its whimsical design and earthy palette strike a beautiful balance: bold in scale, but gentle in spirit.
Pattern revival: from quiet to bold
Understated prints
If you are tentatively dipping a toe into pattern, this is your safe – and stylish – entry point. Think prints that murmur rather than shout: tone-on-tone weaves, pinstripes, or small-scale geometrics that add texture without demanding all the attention. Upholstery in an understated pattern is a clever way to bring life to a pared-back space – take Exford in Fresco on this slipper chair, where the stylised geometric check adds just the right amount of intrigue to an otherwise minimalist room.
But quiet patterns don’t just belong in quiet spaces. In more expressive interiors, they serve a different purpose – acting as a visual anchor that helps ground a scheme. A neat block-print-style upholstery fabric might offset a bold wallpaper beautifully, while an all-over abstract design like Wiggle can provide balance to a more decorative piece. These fabric styles layer nicely with others – adding interest, without overpowering.
Maximalist patterns
At the other end of the spectrum are the showstoppers – bold, expressive fabric styles that don’t just complement a space, but define it. An oversized floral or updated damask on a sofa pulls pattern centre stage, often setting the tone for the colour palette of the entire scheme.
Remember that big motifs require careful planning. With Dimity in Charcoal, for example, the punchy stripe (a heritage print with a twist), had to be perfectly placed to achieve that crisp, tailored look – which is why a skilled upholsterer is essential.
And if you’ve fallen in love with a maximalist pattern but are not quite ready to go all-in? Start small. A footstool or chair in your favourite design is a low-commitment, high-impact way to bring boldness into the room. You’ll be surprised how quickly it settles in.
Colour pops & unexpected pairings
A single strong shade, used well, can anchor a room or lift a whole scheme. Bold colours such as deep aubergine, forest green and saffron yellow are cropping up across upholstery fabric trends – not in overwhelming doses, but as rich accents that bring a space to life. Think an oversized headboard in mossy green linen, or a chair in mustard velvet: touches that are unexpected, characterful, and just the right side of daring.
We’re also seeing upholstery used to temper or enhance richly painted rooms, adding rhythm, contrast, or even a flash of wit. In this elegant sitting room, the walls and blinds are drenched in a sultry aubergine, creating a cocooning backdrop. The sofa – upholstered in Scrunched in Giraffe – cuts through the moodiness with pattern and texture. Its abstract animal-inspired print brings a sense of movement, while the matching fabric trim on the blinds adds a tailored, slightly irreverent flourish. The result? A space that feels layered, confident and just a touch playful
Made-to-last craftsmanship
Perhaps one of the quieter upholstery fabric trends – yet arguably the most significant – is the shift towards lasting craftsmanship. As the appetite for fast fashion interiors fades, we’re seeing a renewed focus on quality: fabrics that age beautifully, perform brilliantly, and are made with intention. It’s less about seasonal reinvention, more about thoughtful design that stands the test of time.
This is where Linwood comes into its own. From our Romney wool, sourced, spun and woven in the UK, to family-friendly velvets that balance luxury with longevity, we believe beauty and practicality should go hand in hand. The focus is on luxury fabrics that aren’t just lovely to look at, but that are made to live with.
Take Orta, seen here in Blonde, a heavy-weight linen blend tumbled for softness. Its subtle slub and gentle hue nod to traditional weaving, an aesthetic that sits effortlessly in both classic and modern interiors. Refined, durable, and quietly luxurious, it’s the kind of fabric that matures gracefully – just like a well-designed home.
Upholstery fabric may seem like a finishing touch, but in truth, it’s at the heart of a room’s character and, ultimately, its comfort. By embracing these trends – in texture, tone, pattern and purpose – we create spaces that feel not just beautifully styled, but inviting, expressive and truly personal.