Linen is woven from fibres of the flax plant, giving it a naturally breathable, slightly textured surface with a relaxed, matte look. It is one of the older natural fibres used in upholstery and is prized for staying cool to the touch and ageing gracefully, often softening further with use.
On its own, pure linen creases easily and is not the most stain resistant option, so upholstery linen is often blended with cotton or a synthetic fibre to add strength and easier cleaning. It suits scandi and relaxed classic interiors particularly well. For a more stain resistant natural look, a performance fabric blend is worth considering, as covered in our sofa fabrics guide.
