The corduroy effect: how this classic sofa fabric became 2025's most sought-after upholstery

Since 2020, design has been driven by our desire for comfort. The market is firmly focused on sensuous indulgence and simple pleasures – and this very special fabric characteristic is how it’s showing up for us at FibreGuard.

We’re talking, of course, about corduroy upholstery. Today we’re going to look at what to look for when you’re buying it, and how to tell one kind apart from another. We also take a quick look at how it’s perfect for certain furniture styles and colour palettes.

Stylin’ high: why corduroy upholstery is everywhere

The popularity of corduroy in the market right now goes hand in hand with the resurgence in the popularity of both ‘retro’ designs and a desire for the familiar, bespoke comforts of home.

Back in December we also mentioned that the textures of ultra soft upholstery fabrics will be a focal point for 2025:

“The technical aspects of fabric construction are taking centre stage as texture becomes a primary design consideration. This shift represents more than aesthetic preference – it's about creating multisensory experiences in interior spaces. Designers are particularly drawn to fabrics that offer contrasting surface treatments within the same piece. This might manifest as subtle variations in pile height or the interplay of matte and lustrous yarns within a single weave structure.”

What are some décor and furniture styles that go with corduroy this year?

• Cosiness. Creating a cosy home is a fundamentally personal experience. Something that can unite all tastes and styles is the idea of Hygge (pronounced "hoo-gah"). It’s a Danish and Norwegian idea that captures the essence of cosiness, comfort, and happiness through everyday moments and simple joys. What could be more simply enjoyable than running your hands over your corduroy sofa fabric, cuddled up on it during a book-filled duvet day?
• Retro (think: Wes Anderson). There’s a broader interest in ‘retro’ furnishings in general (think mid-century – 1970s), and corduroy brings with it a sense of nostalgia.Earthy tones, dark wood, bright yellow and orange splashes have all arrived from the 1970s and aren’t showing any signs of leaving. You know what else was really popular in the 1970s? Corduroy upholstery.
• Curvy furniture feels like it was made for ultra-textured upholstery like this. We’re finding that our plusher fabric ranges are popular in recent months, with characteristics such as velvet, chenille or bouclé. And it’s because they offer such a rich sensory experience, the visual/tactile appeal of curved furniture is only enhanced.

The 2 best corduroy upholstery colours for every space

Although corduroy is surprisingly versatile, there are some colours it really seems to click with. Which is great for us, because have a range of genuinely stunning corduroy upholstery fabrics, in a diverse range of rich colours. Handy!

First up, PANTONE 17-1230 Mocha Mousse is a beautiful pairing, and it’s not hard to see why. The Pantone Institute describes it as:

…a warming, brown hue imbued with richness. It nurtures us with its suggestion of the delectable qualities of chocolate and coffee, answering our desire for comfort.

It slots in really well with all kinds of ‘retro’ inspired colour palettes because, well, dare we say it, it’s brown. And if there was one thing more popular in the 1970s than corduroy, it was the colour brown.

…Banish thoughts of 1970s florals, where faded browns met primrose yellow and a yolky orange in a pop art-style print. No, this is brown 2.0, the most sophisticated colour in your armory. Dare we say it...brown is the new neutral. – Lilith Hudson at Living, Etc

Our other favourite colour for corduroy? Blue. To be specific: baby blue.

Sophisticated and timeless, FRENCH BLUE, or baby blue, brings a sense of luxury and elegance to a decor scheme. Varying shades of blue were evident in the Heimtex trends for 2025/2026, cementing the importance of this popular colour. -- Heidi Lehman, Product Designer at our partner James Dunlop Textiles.

The practical buyer’s guide to plush corduroy upholstery

Enough of the inspiration, let’s get down to brass tacks. This kind of upholstery might be soft as a cloud to touch but underneath that exterior it features a remarkably durable construction. Check out our resource on mechanical textiles test specifics and application categories here.

There’s a little extra to know before you buy: specifically, about wales. Angela Geosits describes the process best on Seamwork:

While the ridges—called “wales”—are what we associate most with corduroy, the fabric is woven with a simple plain weave or twill weave as the base fabric. Next, additional weft yarns are added to the weave with long floats over several warp yarns. These extra floats are then cut to form the pile and singed and brushed to create uniform wales.

You can loosely group wales into categories:

1. Fine-wale (16-21 wales per inch): Very smart fine lines that make for a sophisticated, formal furniture piece
2. Medium-wale (8-15 wales per inch): Slightly wider ridges that give a versatile, classic look to any furniture piece, but still very smart
3. Wide-wale (fewer than 8 wales per inch): Looking to make a bold, contemporary statement? This is the level of corduroy you want.

So, when it comes to visual design, wales are what matters. Wide-wale corduroy adds a retro feel to mid-century modern spaces, while pinwale corduroy fits better in more contemporary or formal interiors. Think about the overall vibe you want to create. Consider the size and shape of the furniture. Larger pieces like sofas can handle bolder, thicker wales, while smaller chairs and cushions may benefit from finer, more delicate wales.

Maintaining FibreGuard’s Corduroy Upholstery

FibreGuard's corduroy upholstery is engineered for easy maintenance, with a straightforward cleaning process that takes the stress out of spills and stains. Here's their proven five-step cleaning method:

• Stay Calm and Grab a Spoon
  1. Don't panic when accidents happen
  2. Use a teaspoon's edge or flat utensil to gently remove any residue from stains like mud, ketchup, lipstick, or silly putty
• Initial Water Treatment
  1. Apply clean water to the stained area
  2. Blot gently with a white paper towel
  3. Avoid circular rubbing motions at this stage, as they can embed paper towel fibres into your fabric

• Gentle Circular Cleaning
  • Apply more water to the area
  • Use a microfiber cloth to make gentle circular movements
  • This step helps lift the stain without damaging the fabric

• Soap Treatment for Stubborn Stains
  • For persistent stains, use any white bar soap you have at home
  • Now you can safely use circular motions
  • Apply soap intermittently rather than saturating the area

• Natural Air Drying
  • Allow the cleaned area to air dry completely
  • Never use a hairdryer or apply heat to the stain
  • Avoid any heat treatment during the drying process

This simple approach maintains the beauty of your corduroy upholstery while effectively handling everyday spills and stains.

Conclusion

Corduroy is making a comeback in home design, and for good reason. Its plush texture adds instant character to furniture while standing up to daily use. The fabric's distinctive ribbed pattern brings both retro appeal and modern sophistication, creating spaces that feel truly lived-in and inviting.