Although both chenille and matting are common textiles used in clothing and home décor, they differ in a few key ways. Having an understanding of these distinctions will enable you to select the ideal material for upholstery, drapes, or apparel.
Chenille is renowned for having a velvety, soft texture that gives off an opulent, soft vibe. The fabric has a fuzzy, caterpillar-like appearance because it is woven from short yarn strands that are piled together. Because of this, it’s perfect for making warm, inviting pieces.
Matting, on the other hand, feels rougher and has a surface that is more structured and textured. It is frequently woven from coarser, thicker fibers, giving the cloth a more rustic or natural appearance and making it durable. Due to its durability, matting is frequently used in carpets and rugs as well as occasionally in casual clothing.
It can really help to know these distinctions when choosing the appropriate fabric for your project. Making an informed decision that satisfies both your functional requirements and aesthetic preferences requires understanding what each material has to offer.
| Feature | Chenille | Matting |
| Texture | Soft and velvety | Rough and coarse |
| Weave | Tight and dense | Loose and open |
| Durability | Moderate | Highly durable |
| Appearance | Luxurious with a slight sheen | Rustic and matte |
| Common Uses | Upholstery, curtains, clothing | Rugs, bags, rustic decor |
- 5 differences between chenille and matting for a sofa
- Comparison of characteristics
- Pros and cons of materials
- What is better according to reviews?
- Video on the topic
- FURNITURE FABRIC – ROGOZHKA
- HOW TO CHOOSE UPHOLSTERY FOR UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE. Furniture fabrics. Review of the best fabrics for furniture upholstery.
- Rogozhka – review of furniture fabric
- Choosing sofa upholstery. A couple of tips for choosing fabrics
- Chenille for sofa, pros and cons. Briefly from the Damascus factory. Huge selection of color palettes.
- Fabric stain test. (Rogozhka, jacquard, chenille)
- Chenille – furniture fabric review
- HOW TO CHOOSE FABRIC IN 2025? MATCHING, CHENILLE, VELOUR, FLOCK, MICROFIBER, LEATHER, SUEDE, MICROVELOUR.
5 differences between chenille and matting for a sofa
The most popular fabrics for contemporary, stain-resistant furniture are chenille and matting. High demand because of the reasonable cost. You can select affordable options that will appeal to you due to their appealing appearance and practicality.
What sets chenille apart from burlap:
- Burlap has a clearly defined structure, gives the impression of a deliberately rough and simple fabric.
- Thanks to the fleecy thread in the composition, chenille is distinguished by the depth of color, “plays” when the lighting changes.
- The surface of the burlap is rough, chenille is soft and comfortable.
- The composition of the burlap can include linen, wool, cotton fibers. Chenille is often 90-100% polyester.
- In the burlap fabric, the threads are intertwined in pairs or in a 2/3 ratio, as a result of which squares appear on the surface. This is a type of plain weave with thread reinforcement. Chenille fabric can be made with various weaves.
Originally, the matting was used for household purposes and was woven from cattail, a plant related to reeds. The stems were used to weave a cloth that the matting masters then sewed into bags. From matting made of small rugs, wide hats, and work clothes.
They quickly started using linden bast, birch bark, straw, and cattail in addition to it. The weaving was easily visible because of the raw material’s coarse texture. Since modern material is composed of soft fibers, skin contact with it is quite comfortable.
The photo’s chenille and burlap differ from each other:
In the USA, chenille fabric first appeared more than 200 years ago. Its foundation is a fluffy thread with a pile that is sewn in between two twisted threads. Picture:
The name itself makes it obvious that the material has European roots. The French word "chenille" translates to "caterpillar." When examined closely, the thread resembles a shaggy caterpillar. On jacquard looms, chenille thread is used to create fabrics. They blend elements of elegance and usefulness. Chenilles are soft to the touch, elastic, and abrasion-resistant.
Comparison of characteristics
When selecting the fabric for the sofa, it’s critical to carefully consider its features in addition to its aesthetic appeal.
Let us examine the characteristics of chenille and matting to determine which is superior:
| Matting fabric | Chenille fabric | |
| Natural or synthetic? | artificial or mixed fabric with the addition of cotton, linen, wool | synthetic fabric made of polyester, acrylic, less often with the addition of viscose, cotton |
| How it looks to the touch? | embossed, coarse, slightly rough | soft, fluffy, fleecy |
| Structure | Woven material, the weaving of threads forms squares | woven and woven-adhesive material; plain, cross or diamond weave |
| Density | 220-600 g/m2 | 240-950 g/m2 |
| Martindale test (abrasion) | 18,000 to 100,000 cycles | 14,000 to 80,000 cycles |
| Colors | melange, plain dyed, printed | plain dyed, with plain ornament or printed pattern |
| Types | chenille, plain, woven, textured, flock on matting | jacquard, velor, microchenille, chenille Spirit, Allure, with Easy Clean dirt-repellent coating |
| Application | upholstery, decorative pillows, mats, curtains, bags, clothes | upholstery, bedspreads, curtains, sweaters and sweatshirts |
| Cleaning | wet cleaning at temperatures up to 30 degrees; |
Use the gentle cycle when washing in the machine.
Matting and chenille are two different kinds of fabric with different uses, textures, and looks. Chenille is a velvety, plush fabric that is used for upholstery and warm clothing because of its velvety feel and sheen. Conversely, matting has a woven-like appearance and a coarser, more structured texture; it is commonly used in home décor pieces like thick curtains or rugs. Knowing these variations makes it easier to select the ideal fabric for your needs in terms of comfort, durability, and appearance.
Pros and cons of materials
Two of the TOP-7 best fabrics for furniture upholstery are burlap and chenille. There are many benefits to both materials. It’s also important to consider the drawbacks:
| Chenille for a sofa | Burlap for a sofa | |
| Pros | Beautiful appearance, richness of textures, colors | High strength, resistance to abrasion and mechanical damage |
| High comfort, softness and elasticity | Does not stretch or deform | |
| Good resistance to abrasion | Affordable price | |
| Ease of use: does not crumble, easy to cut, drape, sew | Does not require much effort in care | |
| Fabric with a cotton or viscose component is hygienic and breathable | Linen-based fabric does not absorb dust, odors, is hypoallergenic and has antibacterial properties | |
| Cons | Afraid of moisture, cannot be washed | Prone to the formation of snags from the claws of pets |
| No anti-vandal properties, snags may form | Difficult to process, crumbles at the cut |
What is better according to reviews?
Mattress sofas are renowned for their sturdiness. They are well-liked when selecting office and other public space furnishings. Buying the material to reupholster upholstered furniture at home is common. Matting is a useful fabric for chairs and sofas in the kitchen. Chenille furniture is favored by those who appreciate beautiful design and comforting tactile experiences while they sleep.
Evaluations:
- Olga: “I like matting. Good, durable, and inexpensive fabric. We bought a cut for re-upholstering the sofa. My husband re-upholstered it himself. It turned out well”.
- Victor: “For me, there is nothing better than a mat, since I have 3 dogs at home. There is no equal in density and strength of the fabric. The sofa may look modest, but it retains a clean and neat appearance for a long time".
- Alexey: "We were furnishing a new apartment. The budget was small, so the choice fell on an inexpensive sofa in a burlap design. The fabric seemed practical, does not get dirty, very dense and durable. No complaints about it. But the sofa itself became unusable after six months – it sank, one spring jumped out. The upholstery sagged in this place. My conclusion: burlap has a place to be, but on a quality product".
- Vera: "A sofa made of chenille looks chic and expensive. Fell in love with this fabric. Soft, with a noble shine. After six months of use, the sofa has not worn out anywhere, the color has not faded. It looks like new, although we sleep on it and just rest in the middle of the day".
- Svetlana: "I was choosing between chenille and burlap for a sofa. Chenille is more beautiful, more pleasant to the touch, and burlap is more practical and cheaper. I decided that presentability is more important for the living room. I do not regret my choice at all. Chenille looks cool. I vacuum it once a week. I removed dirt with a regular cleaning product for upholstered furniture".
Excellent to know. Rogozhka is used both alone and in conjunction with other materials, such as flock, leather and leatherette, and velor, to cover sofas.
It’s evident from a comparison of chenille and matting that each fabric has unique uses and offers a variety of textures and designs. Because of its reputation for being soft and plush, chenille is perfect for upholstered furniture and opulent home accents. Any environment is made more elegant and warm by its velvety texture and sheen.
However, matting creates a look that is more organic and rustic. It is textured, long-lasting, and frequently chosen for its earthy appeal. This fabric works well with traditional or minimalist designs, particularly for wall hangings and rugs that require durability.
Knowing these distinctions makes it easier for you to select the ideal material for your requirements, whether you value chenille’s softness and elegance or matting’s rugged, textured appearance. Since each fabric has a special place in design, the atmosphere and purpose you hope to achieve will ultimately determine which fabric you choose.
