Which Cushion Cover Fabric Is Best? Linen, Cotton, Velvet, Bouclé and Faux Fur

By Snoozyn · Updated October 2026

Cushion covers take the most wear of any soft furnishing, so the fabric decides how they look after a year, not just on the day they arrive. A fabric that suits a show sofa can look tired on a family one within a month.

Below, the common cushion fabrics are compared on feel, look, wear and washing, followed by what to choose for different rooms.

Which cushion cover fabric is best for everyday use?

For everyday use, cotton or a cotton linen blend is the safest cushion cover fabric. It is strong, washes easily, takes jacquard and embroidery well, and looks right in any season.

Cotton has a smooth, even surface and keeps its shape. Adding linen gives a slubbier, more relaxed texture that creases a little but softens with each wash. A jacquard weave, where the pattern is woven in rather than printed, wears especially well because the design cannot rub off. Our ribbed cotton jacquard covers are a good example: a plain colour with a woven rib that hides everyday creasing.

The same cotton-versus-linen trade-off applies to bedding, and our article on linen versus cotton for the bedroom goes into the yarns in more depth.

How do linen, cotton, velvet, bouclé and faux fur compare?

Cotton and linen blends are crisp and easy to wash; velvet is smooth with a sheen; bouclé is nubbly; faux fur is deep and soft. The pile fabrics look richer but need gentler washing and no ironing.

Fabric	Feel	Look	Wear	Washing
Cotton	Smooth, firm	Clean, even	Very good	30°C gentle
Cotton linen	Dry, slubby	Relaxed, creased	Good	30°C gentle
Hemp cotton	Dry, crisp	Matt, textured	Very good	30°C gentle
Lyocell linen	Smooth, fluid	Soft sheen	Good	30°C gentle
Velvet (polyester)	Plush	Deep colour, sheen	Good	Cool wash, low spin
Bouclé	Looped, nubbly	Textured, matt	Can snag	Cool wash, dry flat
Faux fur	Deep, soft	Deep pile	Can mat	Cool wash or by hand

Fibre labels matter. Most velvet, bouclé and faux fur sold for cushions is polyester or polyester-led, which is no bad thing: it is colourfast and shrugs off fading on a sunny windowsill. Wool blends such as tweed are warmer in look and hand, but they attract moths if stored dirty and usually need a hand wash.

Is velvet or bouclé better on a sofa used by pets and children?

Velvet is usually the more practical of the two. Its short, dense pile has no loops for claws to catch, and marks brush off; bouclé loops can pull if a cat kneads them.

A washed velvet, with a slightly broken surface, hides pressure marks better than a high-shine one. Our rust velvet cushion covers have that washed finish. Bouclé suits a quieter room or a bedroom chair, where it adds texture without daily wear. Faux fur sits between the two: it does not snag, but it can mat if sat on constantly, so it works best as one statement cushion rather than a full set.

What are hemp, ramie and lyocell blends like as cushion fabrics?

Hemp and ramie blends feel drier and crisper than cotton, with a matt, slightly irregular surface. Lyocell linen is the opposite: smooth and fluid, with a gentle sheen and a soft drape.

Hemp cotton is strong and softens noticeably over the first few washes, so a cover that feels firm on arrival will relax with use. Ramie has a natural lustre and holds raised embroidery well, which is why it suits corded and textured designs. Lyocell, a fibre spun from wood pulp, takes colour cleanly and pairs well with linen for a two-tone, reversible cover. All three wash at 30°C as a rule, though the care label is always the final word. Our guide to washing each type of cushion cover has fabric-specific settings.

Which fabrics are in the Snoozyn cushion cover range?

Our cushion covers span cotton and cotton linen jacquards, hemp cotton, ramie cotton, linen viscose, lyocell linen, polyester velvet, bouclé, faux fur, chenille and a wool viscose tweed. Every design is sold as covers only, in sets of 2 or 3.

For warmth and texture in winter, the deep-pile ivory faux fur set and the brown tweed jacquard in a wool viscose blend do the most work. For lighter months, the rose pink embroidered linen viscose set and the powder blue lyocell linen set keep the look fresh. How often you swap between them is up to you; our piece on changing cushion covers with the seasons suggests a simple routine. If you are choosing a throw at the same time, see wool or cotton for a throw.

Frequently asked questions

Do velvet cushion covers fade in sunlight?

Polyester velvet is generally colourfast and resists fading better than cotton velvet. Even so, strong direct sun through a south-facing window will dull most dyes over time, so turn or rotate cushions now and then.

Is faux fur warm on a cushion?

Faux fur has a deep pile that looks and feels warm, which is why it is popular for autumn and winter. A pair of faux fur cushions on a leather or plain sofa adds instant texture.

Do linen blend cushion covers crease?

Yes. Linen blends crease more than plain cotton, and that relaxed look is part of their appeal. If you prefer a smoother finish, iron them inside out while slightly damp, or choose a cotton jacquard.

What is the most hard-wearing cushion fabric?

Tightly woven cotton jacquard, hemp cotton and short-pile velvet are among the most hard-wearing. Loose weaves, bouclé loops and long pile wear faster on a sofa that is used every day.

Does bouclé pill on cushions?

Bouclé can fluff and pill where it rubs, especially on the front of a well-used cushion. Remove bobbles with a fabric shaver on a low setting, and wash it inside out to reduce friction.

What is chenille, and is it good for cushions?

Chenille is a yarn with a soft, tufted pile along its length. Woven as a jacquard, it gives a raised pattern with a velvety feel. It suits cushions well but should be washed gently.