Best Upholstery Fabrics for Dining Chairs

Selecting upholstery for commercial dining chairs is a purpose-first exercise.

The fabric must not only complement the design vision but also withstand the daily loads, spills and clean-downs typical of food-service environments. Cotton, linen, silk, polyester and their blends all appear in specification sheets, yet each performs differently once martindale wheels start turning.

This guide distils the data and field experience buyers need to match material to task, comparing eight high-performing fabrics and summarising the advantages, drawbacks and ideal ASKT chair pairing for each.

Table of contents

1.Leather & Premium Polyurethane (PU)

2.Micro-suede / Microfiber

3.Short-pile Velvet

4.Cotton-Linen Blend

5.Contract Vinyl (PVC)

6.Olefin / Polypropylene

7.Bouclé / Tweed

8.Pure Linen

Leather & Premium Polyurethane (PU)

Source: ASKT

Corrected-grain leather is finished to repel oil and water yet retains the tensile strength that makes it a staple in high-traffic dining.​ Contract-grade PU mimics the grain at roughly half the square-metre price and accepts any Pantone shade, but thermo-plastic binders soften above 45 °C.​ Both materials exceed 100 000 Martindale in protective finishes and pass B1 when laminated to a FR interliner.

Fabric	Key advantages	Key disadvantages
Leather / PU	Wipes clean; high tensile & ≥100 k rubs; premium perception	Real hide cost; PU heat-sensitive; leather needs periodic conditioning

Best Leather Dining Chairs:

Source: ASKT

This chair pairs the rich, sophisticated look of leather with the everyday practicality of PU fabric—meaning you get a soft, upscale feel that resists spills and wipes clean in seconds.

Generous foam padding, a gently contoured back with vertical channel-stitching, and cushioned armrests create all-day comfort, while the black powder-coated metal base delivers sturdy support and a modern, space-saving footprint.

Perfect for home offices or dining spaces, it offers refined style without the maintenance or cost of genuine leather.

Micro-suede / Microfiber

Source: ASKT

Micro-suede is split polyester < 0.3 dpf; the ultra-fine filaments create hydrophobic capillaries so spills bead and lift with water.​ Contract variants exceed 75 000 rubs and withstand mild detergent, but static can attract lint and micro-plastics remain an ESG concern.​

Fabric	Advantages	Disadvantages
Micro-suede	Stain-repellent, soft hand, 50–75 k rubs	Static, synthetic micro-fibre shedding

Best Micro-suede Dining Chairs:

Source: ASKT

This micro-suede fabric chair combines plush comfort with stylish functionality. The soft, padded seat and backrest are upholstered in durable micro-suede, offering a luxurious touch while being easy to clean—perfect for busy households or commercial dining spaces.

The quilted design adds a touch of sophistication, while the angular black metal base provides sturdy support and a modern industrial edge. Ideal for dining, meetings, or casual lounging, this chair effortlessly elevates any interior with both comfort and style.

Short-pile Velvet

Source: ASKT

Nylon-blend or Trevira CS velvets reach 100 000 + rubs and can certify to B1 when woven inherently flame-retardant.​ The dense pile gives saturated colour but shows direction (“nap”) and stack compression; weekly vacuuming and low-steam brushing restore loft.​

Fabric	Advantages	Disadvantages
Contract velvet	Luxurious look, ≥100 k rubs, B1 option	Nap marks; dry-clean; higher cost

Best Short-pile Velvet Dining Chairs:

Source: ASKT

This velvet fabric chair combines elegance with everyday comfort. Upholstered in soft-touch velvet, it offers a luxurious seating experience while the tufted backrest adds a stylish, sophisticated look.

The padded armrests and seat provide extra support, making it perfect for long dinners or focused work sessions. Paired with sturdy black metal legs and a swivel base, it’s not only chic but also practical—ideal for modern dining rooms or home offices.

Cotton-Linen Blend

Source: ASKT

Blending cotton’s softness with linen’s long flax fibres yields a breathable cloth that wrinkles less than pure linen and doubles the tear strength of cotton.​ Protective Scotchgard™ is advised because plant fibres absorb spills more readily than synthetics.

Fabric	Advantages	Disadvantages
Cotton-linen	Natural feel, moisture-wicking, fewer wrinkles than pure linen	Requires stain finish; abrasion < 60 k rubs

Best Cotton-Linen Blend Dining Chairs:

Source: ASKT

This Cotton-Linen Blend fabric chair combines natural comfort with lasting durability, making it a smart choice for everyday use. The cotton gives it a soft, breathable feel, while the linen adds strength and a slightly textured look that resists wear.

It’s a stylish, low-maintenance option that fits effortlessly into both modern and classic interiors—perfect for homes, cafes, or restaurants looking for a cozy yet professional touch.

Contract Vinyl (PVC)

Source: ASKT

PVC-coated fabric bonded to a recycled-poly backing is the workhorse of school and café seating: bleach-proof, passes DIN 4102 B1 with additive alone, and costs < €8 / m². Cold-crack can occur below –20 °C as plasticisers migrate, so European importers specify cold-crack ≤ –25 °C.​

Fabric	Advantages	Disadvantages
Vinyl	Wipe-clean in seconds; cheapest B1 route	Feels cool; potential cold-crack; less breathable

Best PVC Dining Chairs:

Source: ASKT

This PVC chair combines minimalist design with practical durability, making it a perfect fit for modern dining areas, cafes, and meeting rooms. Its ergonomic butterfly-shaped backrest offers excellent support and comfort, while the smooth PVC seat is easy to clean and maintain.

The sturdy black metal legs provide reliable stability, and the lightweight construction ensures easy stacking and storage—ideal for high-traffic environments or flexible seating arrangements.

Olefin / Polypropylene

Source: ASKT

Solution-dyed PP pigments lock into the polymer melt, giving UV fastness >1 000 h Xenon and resistance to chlorine cleaners—ideal for garden rooms and sun-loungers.​ Specific gravity 0.91 cuts unit freight by ≈ 30 %, but fibres melt at 160 °C so sewing requires PTFE-coated needles.

Fabric	Advantages	Disadvantages
Olefin	UV, mildew & bleach resistant, light weight	Narrow colour range; heat-sensitive sewing

Best Polypropylene Dining Chairs:

Source: ASKT

This chair, upholstered in durable polypropylene fabric, combines stylish comfort with everyday practicality. The fabric is not only resistant to wear and tear, but also easy to clean—perfect for busy dining spaces or commercial environments.

Paired with its soft cushioning and supportive, curved backrest, it offers a cozy seating experience. Plus, the sturdy metal legs ensure stability and a modern look that fits effortlessly into both home and business settings.

Bouclé / Tweed

Source: ASKT

The loop-pile surface scatters light, hiding scuffs; contract bouclé still tests at ≥ 50 000 rubs.​ Loops can snag on jewellery or pet claws, so most German retailers issue a snag disclaimer on PDPs.

Fabric	Advantages	Disadvantages
Bouclé	On-trend texture, camouflages wear	Loop snagging, lint retention

Best Bouclé Dining Chairs:

Source: ASKT

This Bouclé fabric chair offers the perfect blend of comfort and modern style. The soft, textured Bouclé upholstery provides a cozy, inviting feel, while the high-density padding ensures all-day seating comfort.

With its sleek black metal legs and 360° swivel base, it adds a contemporary touch to any dining or office space, making it as functional as it is fashionable. Ideal for those who appreciate tactile fabrics and stylish, ergonomic design.

Pure Linen

Source: ASKT

Long-staple flax provides tensile strength that actually increases when wet and a cool hand prized in summer dining.​ The fibre wrinkles easily and accepts stains quickly, which is why contract specifiers either blend with cotton or apply a fluorocarbon-free protector.

Fabric	Advantages	Disadvantages
Linen	Breathable, biodegradable, ages gracefully	Wrinkles; stains without protector; <50 k rubs

Best Pure Linen Dining Chairs:

Source: ASKT

Experience natural comfort with this Pure Linen fabric chair—designed for those who value style and sustainability. The breathable, skin-friendly linen upholstery offers a cool and comfortable seating experience, perfect for long hours at the dining table or in a meeting room.

Its unique shell-like stitching adds a touch of elegance, while the sturdy black metal base ensures lasting durability and modern appeal. A perfect fusion of nature and design.

Where to source compliant chairs quickly

ASKT stocks every fabric category above in B1-ready or domestic grades, each supported by ISO 12947 rub certificates and recorded EN 16139 load tests. Finished sample chairs dispatch worldwide within ten days of specification.

Contact: asktfurniture.net | sales@sinoaskt.com | WhatsApp +86 189 1260 5997

With pre-tested fabrics, European buyers can approve colour and compliance in one step, reducing launch times while safeguarding reviews and repeat orders.