Vinyl & Fabric

Upholstery Vinyl and Fabric for Furniture, Automotive and Outdoor Projects

Shop upholstery vinyl and fabric for furniture manufacturing, commercial seating, reupholstery, vehicle interiors, headlining, protective covers and suitable outdoor applications. Livedale supplies contract vinyl, faux leather upholstery materials, automotive fabrics, stitched vinyl, foam-backed headlining and waterproof or water-repellent fabrics for professional upholsterers, furniture manufacturers, automotive trimmers and experienced DIY customers.

The correct covering material depends on more than colour alone. Its backing, flexibility, width, texture, cleaning requirements, fire-performance specification and intended environment can all influence whether it is suitable for a particular project.

A vinyl developed for commercial seating may have very different characteristics from a foam-backed vehicle headlining, stitched automotive panel or waterproof cover material. Our ranges are therefore divided by manufacturer and application, helping you find a suitable starting point before comparing individual colours and specifications.

Shop Upholstery Vinyl and Fabric by Application

The range is organised into four principal categories:

• Ambla Contract Vinyl
• Chieftain Contract Vinyl
• Automotive and Headlining Fabrics
• Tarpex and Waterproof Fabric

Each section serves a different type of upholstery or fabric project. Always check the individual product information before ordering, particularly where a specific technical, fire, cleaning or environmental performance is required.

Ambla Contract Vinyl

Browse our complete range of Ambla contract vinyl for commercial furniture, hospitality seating, domestic upholstery and other suitable interior applications.

Ambla vinyl collections provide a choice of colours, grains and decorative textures. The range includes traditional leather-look finishes alongside woven, suede-effect and more contemporary surface designs.

The Ambla category is divided into seven collections, allowing customers to browse related colours and finishes together.

Berkshire Range

The Ambla Berkshire range offers a textured upholstery vinyl suitable for furniture projects requiring a practical and understated surface appearance.

Its grouped colour options make it easier to compare complementary shades within the same collection. This can be useful when upholstering coordinated seating, mixing colours across furniture panels or maintaining a consistent specification across several items.

Before ordering, check the individual colour, roll width, backing and technical details against the intended application.

Exmoor Range

Browse the Ambla Exmoor range for leather-look contract vinyl in a selection of furniture colours.

A leather-grain appearance can provide the character of traditional upholstery while retaining the practical handling and maintenance characteristics associated with a suitable contract vinyl.

Different grains can look considerably different once stretched across a cushion or furniture frame. Where appearance is important, assess a sample under the lighting in which the finished furniture will be used.

Galway Range

The Ambla Galway range provides another choice of durable upholstery vinyl colours and surface finishes.

This collection can be considered for seating, furniture panels and other suitable interior upholstery applications where a coordinated commercial material is required.

Colour names should be treated as a guide rather than an exact representation. Screen settings, lighting and surrounding décor can all alter how a shade appears.

Munro Range

Browse the Ambla Munro range for a softer suede-look upholstery finish.

Suede-effect vinyl can provide a different visual and tactile character from a conventional leather-grain surface. It may be useful where a warmer, softer-looking finish is preferred without moving to a woven upholstery fabric.

The suitability of any suede-effect vinyl for cleaning-intensive or heavily used areas should be confirmed from its individual technical and care information.

Richmond Range

The Ambla Richmond range includes a broad selection of vibrant and neutral upholstery colours.

A wide colour palette can be useful for commercial seating schemes, feature furniture, coordinated interiors and projects requiring a close match to an existing brand or decorative theme.

When several rolls or cut lengths are required for one project, order sufficient material together wherever possible. Colour can vary slightly between separate manufacturing batches.

Wild Heather Range

Browse the Ambla Wild Heather range for subtly textured contract vinyl with a more decorative surface appearance.

A textured finish can add visual depth to large furniture panels and seating areas that might otherwise appear flat in a completely plain colour.

The direction of the texture should be considered when planning and cutting panels. Keeping the surface pattern aligned across adjoining sections can make the completed furniture look more consistent.

York Weave Range

The Ambla York Weave range provides a woven-look vinyl surface for suitable upholstery applications.

This style can create the appearance of a textile weave while retaining the construction of an upholstery vinyl. It may be particularly useful where a more fabric-like appearance is wanted but the selected project calls for a wipe-clean vinyl surface.

Woven-look surfaces can have a noticeable visual direction. Plan the cutting layout carefully so the apparent weave remains aligned across seats, backs, arms and adjoining panels.

Chieftain Contract Vinyl

Browse our range of Chieftain contract vinyl for commercial furniture, hospitality, healthcare, education and other suitable contract upholstery environments.

The Chieftain collections include plain colours, traditional grains, contemporary textures and specialist decorative finishes. Each range has its own appearance and technical specification, so customers should select by both design and intended use.

The Chieftain category is divided into six principal collections.

Just Colour Range

The Chieftain Just Colour range provides a large choice of plain contract vinyl colours.

Its extensive palette makes it a practical starting point for projects where the colour selection is the principal design consideration. Neutral, bright, pastel and deeper shades can be used individually or combined across coordinated furniture schemes.

A large colour range can be particularly useful for hospitality, educational, healthcare and branded commercial interiors, subject to the selected colour and product specification meeting the project requirements.

Order samples before committing to a large quantity. A small screen image cannot reliably show the exact colour, grain, sheen or feel of an upholstery material.

Legend Range

Browse the Chieftain Legend range for a classic textured upholstery vinyl appearance.

This range can suit furniture projects requiring more surface character than a completely plain vinyl while retaining a restrained and versatile finish.

When combining Legend with other materials, compare the grain scale and sheen as well as the colour. Two materials described by a similar colour name may still look markedly different when placed side by side.

Lionella Range

The Chieftain Lionella range offers a more decorative and luxurious upholstery vinyl finish.

It can provide an alternative to conventional leather-grain or plain contract vinyl where the furniture needs a more distinctive visual character.

Decorative surface effects should be aligned carefully during cutting and sewing. Consider how the pattern or texture will continue across cushion borders, seat fronts, arms and back panels.

Riviera Range

Browse the Chieftain Riviera range for contemporary contract upholstery colours and textures.

A modern surface finish can work particularly well on restaurant seating, reception furniture, feature chairs and other projects where the covering material contributes significantly to the overall design.

Check the individual product specification before using any upholstery vinyl in a demanding commercial environment. The word “contract” does not remove the need to confirm its suitability for the particular project.

Traditional Range

The Chieftain Traditional range provides heritage-style upholstery vinyl for projects requiring a more established furniture appearance.

Traditional grains and colours can complement classic chairs, pub seating, banquettes and furniture where a very modern plain surface would look out of place.

When matching an existing material, compare a physical sample with an unfaded and unworn area wherever possible. Older vinyl may have changed colour through light exposure, cleaning and regular use.

Universal Range

Browse the Chieftain Universal range for versatile contract vinyl colours suitable for a broad range of upholstery projects.

A general-purpose collection can be useful for furniture manufacturers and upholsterers who need dependable colours that can work across several seating styles.

Even where a range is versatile, the technical requirements of the finished furniture must still be checked. Fire performance, cleaning method, abrasion resistance and resistance to particular substances can differ between products and applications.

Automotive and Headlining Fabrics

Explore our automotive and headlining fabrics for car interiors, campervans, motorhomes, vehicle restoration and custom trimming.

This category includes foam-backed faux suede, perforated headlining vinyl, automotive seat fabric and pre-stitched vinyl designs.

Vehicle interiors present different challenges from domestic furniture. Materials may need to follow tight curves, fit around shaped panels, tolerate changing temperatures and work with vehicle-specific adhesives and installation methods.

Foam-Backed Faux Suede

Foam-backed faux suede is commonly used for vehicle headlining, interior panels, pillars and other suitable trimming applications.

The foam backing helps create a softer finished surface and can accommodate minor irregularities in the panel beneath. However, it will not disguise significant damage, loose old foam or a poorly prepared substrate.

Old headlining material and degraded foam residue should be removed before a replacement covering is applied. Gluing new fabric over crumbling old foam may produce an impressive result for roughly as long as it takes to close the vehicle door.

Check the material width against the widest part of the roof or panel before ordering. Seams across a vehicle headlining are difficult to disguise and are best avoided where the correct width is available.

Perforated Headlining Vinyl

Perforated headlining vinyl provides a more traditional vehicle interior finish and is available in selected colours.

It may be used on suitable classic cars, vans, campervans and restoration projects where a perforated vinyl appearance matches the original or intended design.

The perforation pattern and surface direction should be kept consistent across adjoining panels. When matching an original vehicle interior, request a sample because age and light exposure can alter the appearance of the existing material.

Pre-Stitched Automotive Vinyl

Pre-stitched automotive vinyl includes double-diamond, honeycomb and other decorative stitched designs.

These materials can be used to create feature panels, seat inserts, door cards and campervan interiors without individually marking and stitching the complete pattern from scratch.

Measure the panel carefully and consider the position of the stitched design before cutting. A centred diamond or honeycomb layout can look deliberate and professional; a pattern drifting out of line tends to advertise the mistake from the other side of the car park.

The foam, thread and stitched surface add thickness, which should be allowed for around folds, seams and tight corners.

Automotive Seat Fabrics

Automotive seat fabrics can be used when restoring suitable car seats, campervan interiors and vehicle trim panels.

Where the material has a stripe or repeating design, all panels should be cut in the same direction. Pattern alignment is particularly important across paired front seats and adjoining cushion sections.

Check the width, backing and stretch characteristics before ordering. A vehicle seat cover may contain shaped panels that require more material than a simple calculation based on the seat’s visible width and length.

Tarpex and Waterproof Fabric

Browse our Tarpex and waterproof fabric for protective covers, outdoor projects, storage applications and suitable marine or leisure uses.

The current category includes waterproof Tarpex material and Torino water-repellent canvas in several colours.

These two material types should not be treated as identical. Waterproof and water-repellent describe different levels and methods of resisting moisture.

Tarpex Waterproof Fabric

Tarpex is a waterproof fabric suitable for protective covers and other applications where resistance to water penetration is required.

Potential uses may include equipment covers, trailer covers, outdoor storage protection and other practical projects, subject to the product specification and construction of the finished item.

The completed article is only as waterproof as its seams, fastenings and openings. Stitching creates needle holes, while poorly positioned seams can allow water to collect rather than run off.

Where a highly weather-resistant cover is required, consider:

• The direction of water run-off
• Seam construction
• Suitable thread
• Reinforcement at tension points
• Eyelets or fastening positions
• Ventilation beneath the cover
• Movement in windy conditions
• Whether the material will remain exposed continuously

A waterproof sheet made into a badly designed cover remains a badly designed cover—merely a more expensive one.

Water-Repellent Canvas

Torino water-repellent canvas provides a textile-style material for suitable covers, cushions and outdoor or leisure projects.

Water-repellent fabric is designed to resist and shed a degree of moisture, but it should not automatically be described or treated as completely waterproof.

Performance can also be affected by seams, prolonged exposure, surface wear and the angle at which water sits on the material.

Check the product information before using water-repellent canvas for cushions that will be left permanently outdoors. Even where the outer fabric resists moisture, water may enter through seams or zips and become trapped within the cushion.

Contract Vinyl or Domestic Upholstery Material?

Contract vinyl is developed for specified commercial and professional applications, but not every contract material is suitable for every commercial environment.

A restaurant bench, healthcare chair, gym seat and domestic footstool can have very different performance requirements.

Before ordering, consider:

• The level and frequency of use
• The required fire-performance specification
• Cleaning and disinfection procedures
• Resistance to staining or particular chemicals
• Abrasion and flexing requirements
• Whether the material will be used indoors or outdoors
• Whether the finished furniture is for domestic or commercial use
• The construction and filling beneath the covering
• Any project-specific certification requirements

Do not rely on the word “contract” alone. Check the current technical information for the exact range and colour being specified.

Upholstery Vinyl, Faux Leather and Fabric

Upholstery vinyl is often described as faux leather, leathercloth or artificial leather. These terms may be used broadly, but products can differ substantially in backing, surface finish, flexibility, thickness and intended use.

A contract seating vinyl may have a woven backing and a relatively firm surface. Automotive vinyl may be selected for vehicle interiors and shaped panels. Foam-backed headlining fabric is constructed specifically to create a softer interior finish.

Waterproof fabric and water-repellent canvas are intended for yet another set of applications.

The material should therefore be selected according to its specification rather than its appearance or general product name alone.

Choosing the Correct Upholstery Vinyl

Before ordering upholstery vinyl, check:

• The intended end use
• Overall material width
• Surface colour and grain
• Backing construction
• Thickness and flexibility
• Directional texture or pattern
• Fire-performance information
• Cleaning and maintenance instructions
• Suitability for sewing, stapling or adhesive fitting
• Indoor, outdoor or automotive limitations
• Whether a sample is required
• Availability of sufficient material from one batch

Vinyl that is too stiff may be difficult to form around tight corners. A material that stretches readily in one direction may need careful orientation when cutting.

The backing should also be considered when selecting adhesives, thread, needle size and seam construction.

Fire Performance and Project Compliance

Where furniture is being manufactured, reupholstered or supplied for commercial use, the covering material may need to meet a specified fire-performance requirement.

The required standard can depend on the furniture, its fillings, the end user and the environment in which it will be placed.

Check the individual product’s current technical documentation and retain relevant certificates where the project requires them. Do not assume that every colour, finish or range carries identical supporting documentation without confirmation.

The upholsterer, manufacturer, specifier or person placing the completed furniture into service remains responsible for ensuring that the complete item meets the requirements applying to that project.

Ordering Upholstery Material by the Metre

Many of the vinyls and fabrics within this category are sold by the linear metre.

A linear metre gives the full width of the material by one metre in length. The usable area therefore depends on the roll width stated on the individual product page.

For example, two materials both ordered as one metre can provide different usable areas where their roll widths differ.

Before calculating the amount required, record:

• The roll width
• The dimensions of every panel
• Pattern or grain direction
• Seam allowances
• Piping requirements
• Matching and pattern repeat
• Fault and trimming allowance
• Whether several identical items are being produced

Create a cutting plan before ordering. Simply adding the visible width and depth of the furniture rarely gives an accurate upholstery quantity.

Measuring for Furniture Upholstery

List each component separately, including:

• Seat tops
• Seat borders
• Back panels
• Outside backs
• Arms
• Outside arms
• Front facings
• Boxing strips
• Piping strips
• Zipped access panels
• Base or platform sections

Allow for seam margins and for material that must wrap around and be fixed beneath the furniture.

Directional grains, woven effects and stitched patterns may increase waste because panels cannot always be turned sideways to fit the available material.

Where the project involves several chairs or a large commercial seating run, produce a cutting layout before confirming the final quantity.

Colour Samples and Batch Variation

Computer monitors and mobile screens cannot reproduce upholstery colours with complete accuracy.

Lighting also alters how a material appears. A grey vinyl viewed under cool showroom lighting may look warmer in a restaurant or darker inside a vehicle.

Request a physical sample where colour, grain, sheen or feel is important.

For larger projects, order the required quantity together. Separate production batches can show minor colour or surface differences, even when the product name and colour reference remain the same.

Keep a labelled offcut from the completed project. It may prove useful for future repairs, matching or identifying the original material.

Cutting and Sewing Upholstery Vinyl

Use sharp, suitable cutting tools and work from an accurate pattern.

Avoid marking the finished face with permanent pens or unsuitable chalks. Test any marking product on a waste section first.

When sewing vinyl:

• Select a suitable upholstery thread
• Use an appropriate needle size and point
• Set the stitch length carefully
• Avoid unnecessary repeated stitching
• Test the machine tension on an offcut
• Allow for the combined thickness at folded seams
• Support the material to prevent it dragging

A sewing needle leaves a permanent hole in vinyl. Repeatedly unpicking and sewing the same seam can weaken or visibly mark the surface.

Do not use ordinary dressmaking pins across visible areas unless the holes will fall within the final seam allowance. Clips or controlled temporary fixing methods may be more appropriate.

Stretching and Fitting Vinyl

Vinyl often becomes more flexible when gently warmed, but excessive heat can distort, gloss, shrink or damage the surface.

Work gradually around corners and shaped panels rather than applying all the tension at one point.

Uneven tension can distort the grain, pull seams out of alignment or make one side of a cushion appear tighter than the other.

Where the vinyl is being stapled to a frame, use compatible upholstery staples and a suitable staple gun.

For sewn cushions and covers, allow the material, seam construction and foam thickness to work together. An unnecessarily tight cover can place excessive stress on seams and zips.

Cleaning Upholstery Vinyl and Fabric

Follow the care instructions supplied for the exact material.

Do not assume that a cleaner suitable for one contract vinyl can safely be used on every vinyl, faux suede, printed fabric or stitched automotive material.

Before using a new cleaning product:

• Check the manufacturer’s instructions
• Test on a concealed area
• Avoid unnecessary soaking
• Remove residues as directed
• Do not use abrasive pads
• Avoid unapproved solvents
• Check compatibility with stitching and backing materials

Repeated use of unsuitable cleaners can affect the colour, surface finish, flexibility or useful life of the material.

Browse our fabric and leather cleaners for suitable care products, checking the individual cleaner and material guidance before use.

Related Upholstery Supplies

Vinyl and fabric projects often require additional components to complete the job.

Browse our sewing threads and twines for machine-sewing and hand-finishing applications.

Explore upholstery piping cords for making piped cushion borders and decorative furniture edges.

Our zipping supplies include components for removable cushion covers and upholstered panels.

Browse professional upholstery tools for shears, knives, marking equipment, staple guns and other workroom essentials.

For cushions, seating and upholstered panels, explore our complete range of foams and fillings.

Trade Upholstery Vinyl and Fabric

Livedale supplies contract vinyl, automotive fabric, vehicle headlining and waterproof materials to professional upholsterers, furniture manufacturers, automotive trimmers, campervan converters, repair workshops and other trade customers throughout the UK.

Approved trade customers can access preferential trade pricing across eligible products after registering for a trade account.

Browse the categories above to find the upholstery vinyl or fabric required for your next furniture, commercial seating, vehicle interior or protective-cover project.