Creating Livable Style: The Role of Performance Fabrics in Luxury Interior Design

Up close phot of white couch featuring performance fabrics sourced by Kirkendall Design in Tulsa OK

Choosing the right fabrics and furniture for your home is essential, especially if your life includes kids, pets, or frequent entertaining. At Kirkendall Design, we often source performance fabrics for our clients because they offer the perfect blend of style, function, and durability.

What Are Performance Fabrics?

Performance fabrics are specially designed to resist stains, spills, and everyday wear. Whether it’s blotting a wine spill or removing crayon marks, these fabrics are built to handle life’s little messes. We often source them for high-traffic pieces like sofas, sectionals, dining chairs, and outdoor furniture. At Kirkendall Design, we have access to hundreds of performance fabrics through our exclusive interior design vendors.

With three decades of experience in the interior design industry, our design motif has always been “Creating Livable Style,” and performance fabrics are key to achieving that. While these fabrics have advanced significantly in durability and function, it’s important to remember that they aren’t indestructible.

Cream chair with stylish, kid-and-pet-friendly performance fabrics sourced by Kirkendall Design in Tulsa OK
Blue couch with mix of patterned pillows, interior design by Kirkendall Design

Are Performance Fabrics Indestructible?

Performance fabrics are more durable than traditional fabrics, but they still need proper care. Some big-box retailers might oversell them as being invincible, but that’s not the case. They resist stains, but they’re not stain-proof. They’re easier to clean, but not everything comes off. Performance fabrics are a great investment for a stylish yet practical home, but they’re not a magic solution. Following the specific cleaning instructions are essential to keep them looking their best. We often tell our clients to treat them with care, just as you would with any quality material.

Performance Fabrics vs. Leather

Both performance fabrics and leather have their strengths. Leather is often chosen for chairs and ottomans because it’s easy to clean and adds a rich texture to your space. However, it can be prone to scratches, especially with pets. Performance fabrics offer a pet-friendly, scratch-resistant furniture option for your home.

Coffee bar designed by Kirkendall Design in Tulsa, featuring neutral light colored swivel chairs with performance fabrics.

Chemical-Free Performance Fabrics

Most performance fabrics are treated with chemicals for added durability, and while they are safe, they might not be the best fit for clients who prefer a chemical-free home. For those looking to avoid chemically processed materials, there are organic options that provide a natural alternative without sacrificing performance.

Choosing Performance Fabrics

At Kirkendall Design, we help our clients make informed decisions. We help you understand the strengths and limitations of performance fabrics so you can choose what’s best for your home and lifestyle, ensuring your furniture stays beautiful and functional for years to come. Submit a design request to learn more about our performance fabrics and interior design services.

white chair with wood features showcasing Cream chair with stylish, kid-and-pet-friendly performance fabrics sourced by Kirkendall Design in Tulsa OK
Detail shot of side chair with performance fabrics

Have questions? Submit a design request or send us a message – we’d love to hear from you!