How to Choose Tartan Upholstery Fabric

How to Choose Tartan Upholstery Fabric

This article is much stronger if it follows the actual buying process.

Step 1: Order Fabric Samples

Before committing to a tartan, order samples of your preferred designs.

Photographs are useful, but tartan is a fabric that benefits enormously from being seen in person. The scale of the pattern, depth of colour and overall character often look different on a sofa or chair compared to a screen.

Samples allow you to compare several options side by side and begin narrowing your shortlist.

Step 2: View Samples in the Room

Place the samples on the furniture you intend to upholster or near the room in which they will be used.

Look at them:

• In morning light
• During the afternoon
• In the evening
• Under artificial lighting

Tartan can change dramatically depending on lighting conditions. Colours that appear subtle during the day may become much richer in the evening, while darker tartans can take on a completely different character under warm lighting.

The best tartan is usually the one you continue to enjoy throughout the day rather than the one that makes the strongest first impression.

Step 3: Consider Pattern Scale

A small fabric sample can be misleading.

Try to imagine how the tartan will look across:

• A three-seater sofa
• A wingback chair
• A footstool
• A large window seat

Large-scale tartans often become focal points within a room, while smaller checks tend to feel more subtle and traditional.

Step 4: Think About Existing Furniture

Consider how the tartan will work alongside:

• Flooring
• Rugs
• Curtains
• Paint colours
• Wood finishes
• Existing upholstery

The most successful interiors usually pick up one or two colours already present within the room.

Step 5: Decide How Much of a Statement You Want

Ask yourself:

Do you want:

• A bold focal-point sofa?
• A traditional armchair?
• Feature cushions?
• A subtle accent piece?

The answer often determines whether a strong, colourful tartan or a quieter weathered tartan is the better choice.

Step 6: Obtain a Fabric Estimate

Before ordering fabric, speak to your upholsterer.

Fabric requirements depend upon:

• Furniture size
• Pattern repeat
• Matching requirements
• Style of upholstery

Tartan often requires additional fabric so that patterns align correctly across cushions, arms and panels.

An experienced upholsterer can provide an accurate estimate and help ensure sufficient fabric is ordered.

Step 7: Order with Confidence

Once you have selected your preferred tartan and confirmed the quantity required, you can order knowing the fabric has been assessed in the actual environment where it will be used.

This simple process removes uncertainty and significantly improves the chances of achieving a result you'll love for years to come.