The Top 3 Divan Bed Fabric Options

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There are many factors that contribute towards your final decision when it comes to purchasing a new divan bed. From the size and headboard style to the amount of storage space and whether it has a slatted or solid base. But one of the most important and eye-catching decisions to make is the type of fabric the bed and its headboard is upholstered in. 

After all, let’s be honest, the aesthetics of the bed is what grabs your attention first and the type of fabric (and of course the colour) you opt for is a big contributor to the look and of course feel of your bed. So we thought we’d break down the top three fabrics that are used to upholster divan beds and their pros and cons to help you make your choice. 

Velvet

When you think of velvet, you can’t help but think of luxury and sophistication. Initially, a fabric reserved only for royalty and the very affluent in Ancient Egypt, it reached its peak production during the Renaissance Period (1400 - 1600) but was still largely reserved for the rich and wealthy. However, the industrial revolution made the production of velvet easier and more widespread and from then it’s had peaks and troughs in its popularity, most notably during the 1920’s Art Deco period and the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s adorning celebrities everywhere. 

Since then, it’s become a popular choice across the home, from sofas and footstools to headboards and bed bases. With its silky smooth and shiny, reflective surface, velvet exudes luxury and there’s no doubt that choosing a divan bed upholstered in velvet can make a real statement in your bedroom. 

There’s plenty of popular types of velvet fabric available on the market, from embossed velvet that uses a technique to imprint decorative patterns onto the velvet to stretch velvet that utilises lycra or spandex to make the fabric stretchy. However the two most popular velvets when it comes to upholstering divan beds are certainly plush velvet and crushed velvet.

Plush Velvet

Plush velvet has a smooth, even and soft surface that gives it that unmistakable ‘velvet’ feel to the touch. It has less sheen than crushed velvet, providing a more subtle look, but there’s still noticeable sheen when it catches the light, giving the material a fantastic richness that exudes luxury. It’s more durable than crushed velvet too, which is certainly one factor to consider when purchasing your divan bed. 

Crushed Velvet

The unique textured surface of crushed velvet is what mostly sets it apart from its popular counterpart. This distinctive finish is created by twisting the velvet material whilst it’s wet, which results in a shimmery, crinkled ‘crushed’ finish that looks and feels unmistakable velvet. The reason for this is due to how each of the individual velvet fibres lay in different directions after the twisting process is complete. However this also makes the fibres more susceptible to pulling or snagging, so extra care has to be taken around the upholstered areas of your bed. 

Linen

Linen is a very popular choice when it comes to upholstered divan beds and headboards. Its natural look and feel and durability is a fantastic combination, plus it’s available in a wide range of colours and shades too. 

Its first recorded use was over 30,000 years ago and as one of the world’s oldest recorded fabrics, it’s certainly proven its worth over the years. Linen’s derived from the flax plant, one of the world’s strongest natural fibres too (it’s two to three times stronger than cotton), which makes it a really durable choice, helping your divan bed to look great for many years to come. The flax plant also helps to give linen its natural absorption and quick drying properties too, making the cleaning process quicker and easier. 

There’s a wide range of linen types to choose from, with each one providing your divan bed with a unique look and feel. Each linen ‘type’ differs due to variations in its weave, weight, finish and if it’s been blended with another fabric such as cotton or polyester. The following are the most common types of linen and linen blends you’re likely to find upholstering a divan bed.

Plain Weave

The tight structure and durability of this type of linen makes it the most popular choice when it comes to linen upholstery for divan beds. The criss-cross pattern employed within the weave of the fabric ensures durability, whilst the subtle texture it creates, provides a timeless look and feel to your divan bed. 

Twill Linen

With its unmistakable and distinctive diagonal weave, twill linen is generally even more durable than plain weaves and has good stain resistant properties too. It also boasts an elegant draping quality too, ensuring it provides a smooth, contoured finish when it comes to upholstering furniture. 

Damask Linen

This traditional linen style features intricate patterns that are woven into the linen fabric itself. This is often achieved via contrasting matte and satin weaves, which ensures the pattern stands out. It’s a durable fabric that’s resistant to fading, however it’s prone to creasing and stains easily too. 

Linen-Cotton Blend

This combination brings out the best in both natural fibres. Boasting the durability and strength of linen and the softness and breathability of cotton, a linen-cotton blend is a great choice for your new divan bed. Not only that, but the blend of the two fibres results in a fabric that’s more resistant to wrinkles and fading than pure linen. 

Linen-Polyester Blend

Combining polyester with linen enhances its durable properties, making it a great choice for many items of furniture such as sofas, chairs and of course divan beds. Much like the linen-cotton blend, it also increases the materials resistance to wrinkles too. The addition of polyester also makes the fabric feel even smoother too, whilst still retaining a textured look and feel. 

Tweed

Tweed’s been associated with UK royalty and the aristocracy ever since the mid 19th century when they adopted it for the clothes they used to go hunting. So even once it became more widely affordable and widely distributed, it kept that high quality, sophisticated aura, which makes it a luxurious choice for upholstered furniture within your home. 

Its traditional, timeless appeal, durability and the fact it’s available in a wide range of patterns and colours makes it a great choice for upholstered divan beds. Its durability stems from how dense and tight the weave of the fabric is, making it resistant to snagging and general wear and tear. 

It certainly has a ‘rougher’ texture than the likes of linen or velvet, so if it’s a smooth to the touch finish you’re looking for, tweed may not be the right choice for you. But as a wool product, there’s no doubting that tweed provides a cosy warmth to your bedroom aesthetic, especially when combined with the various colours and patterns that are available. 

Tweed ‘types’ are actually distinguished by three different factors. The geographical origin of the fabric itself, their function (such as ‘thornproof tweed’ and ‘supersoft tweed’) or by the breed of sheep that the wool is sheared from. Each type differs in its pattern, colour and the physical make up of the fabric itself, such as how thick it is or how textured or smooth it feels.

Plenty Of Choice

One of the great things about divan beds is the plethora of fabrics and colours they’re available in. Whilst velvet, linen and tweed are the three most popular fabric choices when it comes to upholstered divan beds, there’s also cotton, suede and less commonly, materials like boucle also available on the market. 

So you’re sure to find a divan bed to match your tastes. If you’d like more information regarding our fabric types, feel free to get in touch or take advantage of our free fabric sample service, so you can get a real feel for the fabric before choosing your new bed.