Does velvet mark a lot?

Because of the pile, leaning against it leaves a mark. The mark is not permanent — brush the pile back by hand and it goes. If you want a flat, mark-free surface, a linen blend suits better.

We have a cat — which fabric?

Not bouclé — the loops pull and will not go back in. A tightly woven polyester velvet or a microfibre is a better fit.

What Martindale figure should I look for?

On a headboard, 20,000 cycles is the lower limit and 25,000–30,000 is a comfortable range. Contract-grade use calls for 40,000 and above.

Can the headboard fabric be changed later?

It can. The headboard is removed and re-upholstered at the workshop. Because we keep spare fabric in stock, working with the same fabric years later is still possible.

Materials

How to choose a headboard fabric: velvet, linen, bouclé and leather

Durability in a headboard fabric is measured by the Martindale rub test; 20,000 cycles is the lower limit for home furniture. Velvet marks because of its pile, linen breathes and creases, bouclé looks warm and can pill, and leather wipes clean but does not breathe.

24 March 2026 · Valentinos Luxury · 3 min read

How to choose a headboard fabric: velvet, linen, bouclé and leather

The first question people ask about a headboard fabric is usually the colour. But three technical figures determine how long it lasts: Martindale rub resistance, weight and fibre composition. All three are on the fabric label, and you can ask for them at the showroom.

What Martindale is, and what figure to look for

Martindale is a test of a fabric’s resistance to abrasion: it shows how many cycles the surface survives against a standard abradant. For home furniture, 20,000 cycles is taken as the lower limit. The 25,000–30,000 range is comfortable for a bedroom. Contract-grade retail furniture calls for 40,000 and above.

A headboard sees far less abrasion than a seat cushion. So 20,000 cycles is enough on a headboard; if you plan to use the same fabric on seating, look for a higher figure.

Velvet

Velvet is a woven fabric with a pile. It reflects light differently depending on direction, so the same fabric looks dark from one angle and light from another. That effect is exactly why people choose it.

That pile also marks: lean against it and you leave finger and arm marks. The marks are not permanent — brush the pile back the other way by hand and they disappear. If you do not want to see marks at all, velvet is not the right choice.

Cotton velvet is more matt and softer; polyester velvet is glossier and more hard-wearing. On a headboard, polyester velvet lasts longer.

Linen and linen-look fabrics

Linen is a natural fibre: it breathes and its texture is matt. Its biggest drawback is creasing; on a headboard that creasing becomes a natural texture over time, but it is a problem for anyone expecting a flat surface.

Linen-polyester blends are more common than pure linen. The blend reduces creasing and raises the Martindale figure. Fabrics labelled “linen-look” are usually these blends.

Stains show clearly on light-coloured linen. In homes with children, a darker tone or a stain-resistant finish is the better choice.

Bouclé

Bouclé is a looped weave: the surface is nubby and soft to the touch. It reads warm, and it has been one of the most popular textures of recent years.

Its main risk is pulled loops. A cat’s claw, a piece of jewellery or a zip can pull a loop out; a pulled loop will not go back in and has to be cut. We do not recommend bouclé in homes with pets.

Bouclé pills slightly over time. Pilling comes off with a fabric shaver and leaves no lasting damage.

Leather and faux leather

Real leather wipes clean, breathes and develops a patina over time. It is cared for once a year with a leather conditioner. It is the most expensive option, and the colour range is limited.

Faux leather (PU) is far cheaper and comes in a wide colour range. It does not breathe, and it feels tacky in warm weather. Poor-quality PU cracks and flakes off the surface within a few years — that flaking cannot be repaired, the covering has to be replaced.

If you want leather on a headboard, breathability matters because it is the surface your back rests against; we would suggest real leather or microfibre.

What to do at the showroom before you choose

Pick the fabric up and turn it over; you can feel how tightly it is woven. Hold the sample to window light and to lamp light separately — with velvet especially, you will see two different colours in the two lights. Ask for the Martindale figure and the fibre composition on the label. Best of all, take a sample home and look at it in the room’s own light; all our fabric samples are available at the showroom.

Frequently asked

Does velvet mark a lot?: Because of the pile, leaning against it leaves a mark. The mark is not permanent — brush the pile back by hand and it goes. If you want a flat, mark-free surface, a linen blend suits better.
We have a cat — which fabric?: Not bouclé — the loops pull and will not go back in. A tightly woven polyester velvet or a microfibre is a better fit.
What Martindale figure should I look for?: On a headboard, 20,000 cycles is the lower limit and 25,000–30,000 is a comfortable range. Contract-grade use calls for 40,000 and above.
Can the headboard fabric be changed later?: It can. The headboard is removed and re-upholstered at the workshop. Because we keep spare fabric in stock, working with the same fabric years later is still possible.