What Are The Five Different Types Of Textiles?

Textiles are created from fibres and threads from natural or artificial materials. Textile includes threads, cords, nets, and a lot more. Textile fibres are made into upholstery fabrics using different methods like weaving, knitting, and felting.

Whether you are reupholstering a vintage armchair, choosing curtains, or sourcing material for a craft project, understanding the different types of materials used in upholstery can feel overwhelming. With thousands of weaves and compositions on the market, where do you start?

To keep things simple, every textile falls into two main categories: Natural Fibres (sourced from plants or animals) and Man-Made Fibres (produced via chemical processes or plant cellulose conversion).

Below, we break down the five main types of textiles, their unique properties, and how to choose between the different types of fabric for your home. You can also explore our wider range of upholstery fabric resources to compare durability ratings, weave structures, and care requirements for your project.

Textile vs. Fabric: What Is the Difference?

While these terms are often used interchangeably, there is a clear distinction between raw materials and finished textiles.

• Textile: A broad term covering raw fibres, spun yarns, threads, ropes, and any woven, knitted, or felted material. All fabrics are textiles, but not all textiles are finished fabrics. A textile can exist at any stage of production, from raw material to finished product, and is used across industrial manufacturing as well as upholstery and apparel.
• Fabric: A finished material created specifically through weaving, knitting, or bonding. When comparing different types of fabric, you are looking at usable materials ready to be transformed into clothing, upholstery, curtains, or soft furnishings. All fabrics belong to the textile family, but they represent the final, usable product.

The Five Essential Types of Textiles

1. Plant-Based Natural Textiles

Plant fibres come from the stems, leaves, seeds, or husks of flora. These different types of fabric are naturally breathable, absorbent, and eco-friendly.

• Key Examples: Cotton, Linen, Hemp, Coir, Ramie, Jute.
• Best For: Drapery, breathable upholstery covers, and lightweight cushions.
• Trade-Offs: Can wrinkle easily and may require gentle washing or professional dry cleaning.

2. Animal-Based Natural Textiles

Harvested from animal coats, fleeces, or silkworm cocoons, animal textiles offer unmatched warmth, rich texture, and resilience.

• Key Examples: Wool (sheep, alpaca, mohair), Silk, Cashmere.
• Best For: Heavy upholstery, luxurious drapery, and insulating soft furnishings.
• Trade-Offs: Requires careful maintenance and protection from direct sunlight to prevent fibre damage over time.

3. Cellulosic Textiles

Cellulosic textiles bridge the gap between natural and synthetic. They start as natural wood pulp (cellulose) and undergo chemical processing to turn the pulp into soft, workable threads.

• Key Examples: Viscose, Rayon, Lyocell (Tencel), Modal.
• Best For: Silky curtain linings, decorative cushions, and soft throw blankets.
• Trade-Offs: Can lose strength when wet and prone to shrinking if not cared for correctly.

4. Semi-Synthetic Textiles

Semi-synthetic fibres blend chemically altered natural materials with synthetic additives to produce high-lustre, durable yarns.

• Key Examples: Acetate, Triacetate, Cupro.
• Best For: Smooth garment linings, sheen accents on decorative upholstery, and lightweight drapes.
• Trade-Offs: Sensitive to direct heat and less breathable than 100% natural options.

5. Synthetic Textiles

Created entirely through chemical synthesis using petroleum, water, and air, synthetic fabrics were engineered for ultimate durability, stain resistance, and affordability.

• Key Examples: Polyester, Nylon, Acrylic, Polypropylene.
• Best For: High-traffic sofa upholstery, outdoor cushion covers, and stain-resistant curtains.
• Trade-Offs: Less breathable than natural fibres, but significantly easier to clean and maintain.

Comparing Different Types of Fabric: Natural vs. Synthetic

• Choose Natural if you prefer breathable, eco-friendly materials with rich, organic textures for low-to-medium traffic areas.
• Choose Synthetic if you need stain resistance, high rub counts (Martindale abrasion ratings), and heavy-duty durability for busy households. Fabrics like polyester are highly durable for sofas and high-traffic items.
• Choose a Blend (e.g., Cotton-Polyester) for the softness of natural fibres combined with the strength and wrinkle resistance of synthetic yarns.

Finding the Perfect Textile for Your Space

At Yorkshire Fabric Shop, we stock hundreds of high-quality textiles - from durable synthetic velvets to natural linens and heavy-duty curtain materials. Browse our full range of cut-length fabrics online or request sample swatches to test these different types of fabric in your home today.