The Best Fabric Types for Chair Covers

Key Takeaways

• Fabric choice directly impacts both the look and performance of chair covers – Cotton and linen offer breathability and softness, velvet brings luxury and style, while polyester is ideal for durability and easy care.

• Each fabric suits different lifestyles and spaces, Cotton and polyester are great for everyday use, velvet shines in formal settings, and linen adds a naturally elegant touch for relaxed interiors.

• The best fabric depends on your needs and setting – Consider who’s using the chairs, how often, and how much maintenance you're willing to do before choosing the right fabric for your home.

When it comes to giving your home a refresh, chair covers are one of the easiest and most effective ways to transform your space. Whether you're updating dining chairs, covering worn upholstery, or preparing for a special occasion, the right fabric makes all the difference.

From style and softness to durability and ease of cleaning, fabric choice plays a crucial role in how your chair covers perform and how long they last. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best fabrics for chair covers, including their unique benefits and when each one works best.

Why Fabric Choice Matters for Chair Covers

Chair covers aren’t just about appearance. The fabric you choose also affects how the covers feel, how easy they are to clean, and how well they hold up to daily use.

For example, if you have pets or young children, you'll want something tough, stain-resistant and easy to wash. In contrast, for formal dining rooms or styled shoots, elegance might take priority over everyday practicality. Some fabrics offer stretch for a snug fit, while others drape beautifully for a relaxed, timeless look.

Before you buy, it's worth thinking about how often the chairs are used, whether they’re purely decorative or highly functional, and what kind of vibe you’re trying to create in the room.

Cotton – A Breathable, Natural Classic

Cotton is one of the most popular choices for chair covers—and for good reason. It’s soft, breathable, and comfortable, which makes it a go-to for everyday dining chairs or living spaces. Cotton is also machine washable, so it's easy to care for and keep fresh.

Pure cotton tends to wrinkle more easily, but cotton blends (such as cotton-polyester) help reduce creasing and add durability. Cotton works beautifully in relaxed, coastal or farmhouse-style interiors where natural texture and softness are welcome.

If you’re already a fan of cotton quilt covers, you’ll appreciate how this fabric translates seamlessly into soft furnishings like chair covers, creating a cohesive feel across your home.

Velvet – Luxe Texture With a Touch of Elegance

For a more opulent look, velvet is a stunning choice. With its rich texture and light-reflecting quality, velvet immediately adds depth and luxury to any room. It’s particularly well suited to formal dining rooms, statement accent chairs or seasonal decor where you want to make an impression.

Velvet chair covers come in a wide range of colours, from deep jewel tones to soft neutrals, and work beautifully in both modern glam and vintage-style interiors. However, they do require a little more maintenance. Velvet can attract dust and pet hair, and may need spot cleaning rather than machine washing.

If you're drawn to plush, elegant finishes, take a look at our velvet quilt covers for more inspiration. Matching or complementing textures between the bedroom and living area can create a truly refined interior.

Linen – Stylish and Naturally Textured

If you’re looking for something effortlessly chic and naturally breathable, linen is a top contender. Linen chair covers have a relaxed yet refined appearance and are perfect for Scandinavian, coastal, or minimalist settings.

Linen has a beautiful textured weave that softens over time. It’s highly breathable and ideal for warmer climates, making it a practical and stylish option for Australian homes. One thing to note is that linen is prone to wrinkling—but many people love this as part of its natural charm.

Our range of linen quilt covers reflects the same breezy, organic elegance. If your goal is to create a calm, cohesive atmosphere, linen is a beautiful fabric to carry across different rooms.

Polyester – Affordable and Easy to Maintain

If practicality is your priority, polyester is one of the easiest fabrics to live with. It’s durable, stain-resistant, wrinkle-free, and highly affordable, which makes it ideal for everyday use, especially in busy households.

Polyester chair covers are often used for events like weddings, parties or seasonal updates because they’re easy to throw in the wash and don’t require ironing. They’re also available in a huge variety of colours and finishes, making it simple to match your decor or create a theme.

Blended polyester fabrics can also include elastane or spandex, offering stretch for a snug, tailored fit, especially useful for covering oddly shaped chairs or chairs with arms. While it may not offer the same tactile softness as natural fibres, polyester more than makes up for it in resilience and convenience.

Choose the Right Fabric for Your Space

When it comes to selecting the best fabric for your chair covers, it really depends on how you use your space. If comfort and breathability are top of your list, cotton is a great all-rounder. If you love a bit of laid-back luxury, linen is a natural, textured choice that gets softer with every wash. Want something more elegant and eye-catching? Velvet adds that perfect touch of drama and warmth. And if you’re after low-maintenance and budget-friendly, polyester is hard to beat.

Our team at My Linen is always here to help. You can get in touch with us for tailored advice or explore our bedding collections to see how different fabrics behave and feel across various home textiles.