When selecting the options for your custom furniture, color can sometimes be the most important decision.

Thankfully, we have about as many options as you would ever hope to find. However, before sifting through fabrics at our showroom or online, it’s best to do some strategic thinking beforehand. These tips below will help you focus on what you are looking for, and cut down on the time and energy spent while searching for the right color.

Existing colors on furniture and artwork in the room

Take a look at what you already have in the space. Tables, upholstered pieces, curtains, paintings, rugs, etc. all need to be taken into account. You can try and match existing colors or compliment them with something new. Either way you should try and make it feel like the room was put together at the same time, not a bunch of individual pieces thrown together.

How long will you be in your current dwelling?

If you will be there for a long time, choose something that works well with the existing color scheme. If you may be moving fairly soon, it might be wise to choose a color in the neutral family that will work in multiple environments and not just the current one.

How loud do you want to be with your colors?

You can make a statement with your piece by choosing bright colors or large patterns, or choose to have your custom furniture blend in with subtle tones and textures. Depending on if you want your piece to be a focal point or not can determine the color you go with. Remember, you can always get some accent pillows to add some needed color.

Contrasting with the floor and walls

In general, it’s good to have some contrast between your furniture and the floors and walls. If you have light floors/walls, choose a color that is darker (and vice versa). You can try and match, but this is more difficult and will result in a more monochromatic setting.

Are stains or pet fur a large concern?

If you have young children, dogs, or even messy friends, you may want to stay away from lighter colors. Certain fabrics are easier to clean than others depending on the material they are made from (synthetics are easier than natural fibers) and their cleaning code (link to cleaning code). In general though, darker colors will hide stains better than the lighter ones.

U.S. Rub Codes

6,000-9,000 = light use
9,000-15,000 = medium use
15,000-30,000 = heavy use
30,000+ = contract/maximum use (high traffic areas like hotels, restaurants, etc.)

The best way to measure the durability of any fabric is by looking at its “rub count”. This test, known as the The Wyzenbeek test, is the most common way to assess the fabric’s abrasion resistance. We carry fabrics with rub counts up to 1,000,000 to meet all your needs.

A machine is used to rub the fabric until it has eroded through, so the higher the number, the higher the amount of rubs it took and the more durable the fabric.