Sofa & Furniture
Synthetic leather for sofas, chairs, and furniture upholstery: PU, microfiber, and semi-PU options, what to specify, and common flammability requirements by market.
Sofas and upholstered furniture are a major use for synthetic leather. Furniture makers choose it for consistent color across large orders, easy cleaning, a wide range of grains and finishes, and a cost advantage over natural leather.
Choosing Material for Furniture
| Use | What matters | Typical material |
|---|---|---|
| Residential sofas and chairs | Hand-feel, appearance, wear resistance | PU leather, microfiber leather |
| Mid-range and volume furniture | Cost, color consistency | PU or semi-PU leather |
| Commercial and hospitality seating | Abrasion resistance, cleanability, flame performance | PU or microfiber leather with test evidence |
| Headboards, ottomans, accents | Appearance, softness | PU leather |
Microfiber leather is often used for premium sofas because its structure and hand-feel are closest to natural leather. PU leather covers most mainstream upholstery, and semi-PU leather suits cost-sensitive lines. For how they differ, see What is PU Leather? and PU Leather vs. Genuine Leather.
What to Specify
- Material type — PU, microfiber, or semi-PU
- Thickness and weight — suited to the upholstery method and frame
- Backing — affects stretch, stitching, and bonding behavior
- Abrasion and flex performance — expected for the use environment
- Hydrolysis resistance — important in warm, humid markets for PU
- Flammability compliance — see below
Flammability Requirements Vary by Market
Upholstered furniture is regulated for flammability in many markets. Commonly referenced standards include California TB 117-2013 (United States) and BS 5852 (United Kingdom), among others. Which one applies depends on the product type, the destination market, and whether the finished furniture or just the cover material is tested, so confirm requirements with your customer or compliance team before choosing material.
Request Samples and Specifications
For material options, specifications, and samples for your furniture project, contact us.