The Truth About Performance Fabrics: Are They Worth It for Your Home?

Have you ever put off buying new furniture until “the kids are older”? Or worried a single spill might ruin your sofa? Maybe you’ve wondered if upholstery could affect your family’s health.

The truth is, furniture fabrics matter more than most people realize. Choosing the right upholstery isn’t just about style—it’s about creating a home where your family can live fully without stress over stains, chemicals, or durability.

That’s where performance fabrics come in. In this article, you’ll learn what they are, why families love them, and which brands at Furniture Mall offer them in every budget category.

What Are Performance Fabrics?

Performance fabrics are textiles specially engineered to handle the realities of everyday life.

• Stain resistance – Many performance fabrics have a built-in moisture barrier that causes liquids to bead up on the surface rather than soak in. That’s why spills wipe away so easily.

• Durability – The yarns and weaves are designed to resist pilling, stretching, and daily wear, making them tougher than standard upholstery.

• Colorfastness – Instead of just coloring the surface, the dye and protective qualities are mixed in at the fiber level. This means the fabric’s color won’t wash out or fade as quickly, even with sunlight or regular cleaning.

• Easy care – Most stains wipe away with just soap and water—no harsh cleaners or professional treatments needed. Because the protection is built into the fabric fibers, the performance doesn’t wear off after cleaning.

👉 Takeaway: Performance fabrics let you actually enjoy your furniture—not just protect it.

Why Performance Fabrics Matter for Families

1. Spills Don’t Have to Equal Stress

Juice boxes, coffee, muddy paws, or spaghetti night—accidents happen. Performance fabrics help them bead up, making cleanup quick and stress-free. 👉 You don’t have to hover over kids or pets anymore—your sofa can handle real life.

2. Durable Enough for Everyday Living

Traditional fabrics weren’t designed for kids climbing, teens sprawling, or pets napping. Performance fabrics are. 👉 No more waiting until your kids are grown to finally buy furniture you love.

3. A Healthier Choice for Growing Families

Many performance fabrics are low-VOC or non-toxic, reducing harmful chemicals indoors. Some are even antimicrobial, helping cut down on bacteria, allergens, and odors. 👉 Because peace of mind isn’t just about stains—it’s knowing your family is safe where they sit, play, and rest.

4. Beauty That Lasts

Performance fabrics resist fading and keep their shape longer.👉 You can feel good investing in something beautiful, knowing it will hold up for years to come aka you can enjoy new furniture now not when the kids move out.

Performance fabrics make even the light-colored Pearce sectional practical—giving families the freedom to choose the style they love without worrying about spills or stains.

Which Brands Offer Performance Fabrics?

At Furniture Mall, performance fabrics are available across  Good, Better, and Best categories—so every family can find a solution that fits their needs and budget.

Here is a list of some (not all) of our brands with performance fabrics: 

• Flexsteel– Offers LiveSmart, Kashmira, InsideOut, Revolution fabrics and more, giving many options for stain resistance, easy cleaning, and durability.

• JL– Introducing Crypton fabrics, known for stain, odor, and moisture resistance. Plus, it's antimicrobial. 

• Kirkwood– Features Crypton, Revolution, and LiveSmart fabrics, blending strength and cleanability.

• La-Z-Boy– Known for iClean™ fabrics, which repel spills and resist odors—ideal for family living.

• Ashley – Offers Next-Gen Nuvella® fabrics, performance upholstery designed to resist stains and fading at an affordable price point.

👉 Takeaway: No matter your budget, there’s a performance fabric option designed for your family’s lifestyle. 

Performance Fabrics Comparison

👉 Takeaway: From family-proof stain resistance to eco-friendly materials, there’s a performance fabric designed for every lifestyle and budget.

👉 Note: Not all manufacturers list what company they source their performance fabrics. For instance, Kirkwood labels all of their performance fabrics with the name Choices, but they could be from Revolution®, Crypton®, LiveSmart® or others. Some have even developed their own like La-Z-Boy with their iClean™ fabrics or Flexsteel with Kashmira®.

Kashmira®, unique to Flexsteel, is nearly indestructible. It is made to withstand daily live with pets, kids, visitors, spills and so much more. 

Do Performance Fabrics Cost More?

Sometimes—but not always. Some brands charge more for the advanced technology built into performance fabrics.

But here at Furniture Mall, vendors like Flexsteel's South Haven line, JL, Couch Potatoes and many others offer options at the same price as standard fabrics.

👉Takeaway: You don’t always have to spend extra to get the added durability—many of our collections let you upgrade to performance fabrics at no added cost.

Are Performance Fabrics Worth It?

For families juggling kids, pets, guests, and even aging parents, the answer is almost always yes.

• No more delaying furniture purchases until the kids move out.

• No more stress over whether your sofa will survive family life.

• No more guilt over whether materials are safe for your home.

👉Takeaway: Performance fabrics give you freedom—to choose what you love, use it every day, and enjoy it for years to come.

La-Z-Boy's iClean fabrics provide superior cleanability and durability. It's no match for tomato soup! 

Create a Home That Works for You—Now

At the end of the day, your home should be a place where your family can live fully—not carefully. Performance fabrics combine durability, safety, and beauty, so you don’t have to compromise.

Ready to see and feel the difference?
Visit  Furniture Mall in Topeka, Olathe or Lee's Summit to explore sofas, sectionals, and chairs made with performance fabrics from trusted brands—designed for real life, real families, and real comfort. Oh Yeah!

Want to keep learning?

Read next: How the Right Furniture Can Improve Your Health at Home

Or explore: Nature Inspired Design Tips