Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Property
  • Health
  • TV
Subscribe
YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

The new $8 Kmart product that everyone wants

The new $8 Kmart product that everyone wants

Reader reno: A calm and creative playroom that's easy to keep tidy

Reader reno: A calm and creative playroom that's easy to keep tidy

Tara gives a tired living room three different looks

Tara gives a tired living room three different looks

How to give your old Ikea sofa a brand-new look

How to give your old Ikea sofa a brand-new look

{headline}

{headline}

10 feng shui tips for your living room

10 feng shui tips for your living room

How to tie-dye fabric

How to tie-dye fabric

How To Upgrade Your Entertaining Spaces

How To Upgrade Your Entertaining Spaces

{headline}

{headline}

10 ways to fake a high-end look in your home

10 ways to fake a high-end look in your home

The Kmart dog bed couch topper that has sent the internet wild

The Kmart dog bed couch topper that has sent the internet wild

Research reveals Aussies spend 50 days on the couch each year

Research reveals Aussies spend 50 days on the couch each year

7 gorgeous ways to decorate your coffee table

7 gorgeous ways to decorate your coffee table

How to make your own timber sofa sleeve

How to make your own timber sofa sleeve

How to make your home feel bigger

How to make your home feel bigger

How to set up your home entertainment area

How to set up your home entertainment area

  1. Home
  2. Living Room Ideas

This is the one difference between a sofa that lasts – and one that doesn’t

What you really need to know before buying a sofa. - by Nicola Conville
  • 02 Aug 2019
This is the one difference between a sofa that lasts – and one that doesn’t
Getty

If you’re in the market for a new sofa, no doubt you’ll have already considered the style you want, the colour – and most, importantly, how well it fits into your space.

However, there’s one factor you may not have considered, which directly affects the durability of your sofa – and that’s the ‘rub count.’

US company Interior Define developed the Rub Count to score how well their many fabric options do on a durability test.

The scores are based on how well the fabrics perform in the Martindale Abrasion Test, which measures the number of rubs a fabric can handle before it begins to change in appearance.

If durability is an important factor for you when choosing a new sofa, then these are the best options, according to Apartment Therapy.

Children playing on sofa
Getty

The toughest option: tight-weave polyester fabrics

These fabrics are the most durable, with an impressive 50K Rub Count. Polyester is super-resilient and can resemble anything from a sturdy cotton to a soft felt. They’re strong and stain resistant and are best chosen based on the feel of the fabric, whether that’s a soft micro suede or a sturdy weave – which is great if you have kids or pets.

Grey sofa
Getty

The tougher option: Sunbrella fabrics

This is a great option for indoors and outdoors, as it looks great and has UV protection to guard against fading that can occur when furniture is situated in a sunny spot. Sunbrella fabrics boast a 20K Rub Count. Outdoor Elegance and Lavita stock products featuring Sunbrella fabrics.

The tough option: cotton

If you love natural fibres, cotton delivers a pretty substantial 18K Rub Count. Canvas and denim are good options as they have a tight weave and are less likely to let liquid, dust or grime in. Leather is another good option as long as it’s genuine 100 per cent leather.

This article first appeared on Home Beautiful

You might also like: 

The sofas our editors are obsessed with right now

Perfect fit: Choosing the best sofa for your space

The affordable way to a brand new sofa

  • Decorating
  • Living Room Ideas
  • Lounge Room Ideas
Nicola Conville
Nicola Conville
Nicola is a writer and editor with more than 20 years' experience in print and digital media. She specialises in health and wellbeing, parenting, travel, beauty, lifestyle and human interest stories.

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Subscribe for $4.95 per issue

Subscribe Now
Get your mag delivered!

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

The new $8 Kmart product that everyone wants

The new $8 Kmart product that everyone wants

Reader reno: A calm and creative playroom that's easy to keep tidy

Reader reno: A calm and creative playroom that's easy to keep tidy

Tara gives a tired living room three different looks

Tara gives a tired living room three different looks

How to give your old Ikea sofa a brand-new look

How to give your old Ikea sofa a brand-new look

{headline}

{headline}

10 feng shui tips for your living room

10 feng shui tips for your living room

How to tie-dye fabric

How to tie-dye fabric

How To Upgrade Your Entertaining Spaces

How To Upgrade Your Entertaining Spaces

{headline}

{headline}

10 ways to fake a high-end look in your home

10 ways to fake a high-end look in your home

The Kmart dog bed couch topper that has sent the internet wild

The Kmart dog bed couch topper that has sent the internet wild

Research reveals Aussies spend 50 days on the couch each year

Research reveals Aussies spend 50 days on the couch each year

7 gorgeous ways to decorate your coffee table

7 gorgeous ways to decorate your coffee table

How to make your own timber sofa sleeve

How to make your own timber sofa sleeve

How to make your home feel bigger

How to make your home feel bigger

How to set up your home entertainment area

How to set up your home entertainment area

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • Airtasker
  • 7NEWS
  • SocietyOne
  • Health Engine
  • Starts at 60
© 2021 Are Media PTY LTD
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Get your mag delivered!-Save 29% off the cover price!

Shop This Offer
Get your mag delivered!