Thinking about starting a DIY upholstery project but feeling a little lost? Lucky for you, All About Fabrics has you covered! New projects are exciting, but before you jump in, it’s important to cover the basics. The big question everyone asks: How much fabric do I really need? Guess wrong, and you could end up short on material or spending more than you need to.
At All About Fabrics, we make the process simple. This guide will help break down our upholstery yardage chart and give you a clear understanding of how much and what type of fabric is needed for any chair, sofa, or accent piece. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Find Your Furniture & Base Fabric Yardage
Our chart makes it simple to get reliable yardage estimates for the most common furniture types. Easily find the yardage needed for 60 different furniture styles, including sofas, armchairs, benches, office and more. Let’s break down this chart even further.
Sofas & Couches (Maximum Yardage)
For sofas, couches, sectionals, love seats, and chaise lounges, it's recommended that you use these estimates as your baseline. These large pieces require the most material.
|
Furniture Type |
Estimated Fabric Needed |
|
Large Sectional / L-Shaped Couch |
34 Yards |
|
Standard 3-Cushion Sofa |
14 - 16 Yards |
|
Sofa Bed (Pull-Out) |
14 - 18 Yards |
|
Love Seat (2-Cushion) |
10 - 12 Yards |
Chairs & Accent Pieces (Mid-Range Yardage)
This group covers common armchairs, recliners, and other accent seating. Always check for complex curves, as they might require a bit of extra fabric.
|
Furniture Type |
Estimated Fabric Needed |
|
Wingback Sofa Chair |
7 - 8 Yards |
|
Standard Armchair / Club Chair |
5 - 7 Yards |
|
Recliner (Standard) |
6 - 7 Yards |
|
Occasional Chair / Barrel Chair |
5 - 6 1/2 Yards |
Small Seating (Minimum Yardage)
These smaller pieces require the least material, making them perfect for trying out a bold pattern or a higher-end textile.
|
Furniture Type |
Estimated Fabric Needed |
|---|---|
|
Dining Room Chair (Seat & Back) |
1 1/2 - 3 Yards (per chair) |
|
Small Ottoman / Bench |
2 - 3 Yards |
|
Office/Desk Chair (Swivel Base) |
1 1/2 - 2 1/2 Yards |
Step 2: Find Which Fabric Type?
Once you know how much yardage you need, the next step is choosing a material that fits the function. The right fabric lasts longer, cleans easier, and makes your furniture a success.
|
Furniture |
Best Fabric Recommendation |
|
High Traffic Sofas & Family Rooms |
|
|
Formal & Statement Furniture |
|
|
Kitchen & Dining Chairs |
Still unsure which collection is right for your project? Browse our full selection of fabrics to find the right one for your needs!
Step 3: Adjust for Pattern Match
If your fabric has a pattern (stripes, florals, geometric designs), it’s key to order extra materials to ensure the design lines up perfectly across seams.
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The Adjustment: For patterned fabric, always add 15-20% extra yardage to the estimate in the tables above.
This extra fabric accounts for the waste created when you cut your pieces to precisely match the pattern repeat. Skipping this step is the fastest way to run short!
Ready To Start Your DIY Project?
You now have the two most important tools for DIY success: a reliable yardage estimate and a starting point for choosing the right fabric type. All that’s left is finding the perfect material that inspires you! If you need help picking the right fabric or yardage, don't hesitate to reach out.