Shopping guides
Help
Log in
Materials and fabrics for office chairs
Choosing the right materials and fabrics for office chairs is key to getting your purchase right. The upholstery not only influences the look of the chair, it also affects comfort, breathability, cleaning, durability and the thermal sensation during daily use.
A mesh chair for long hours in front of the computer is not the same as an armchair upholstered in faux leather for an executive office. Each material has advantages, drawbacks and a type of use for which it is more suitable.
In this guide we go over the most common materials in office chairs: mesh, fabric, faux leather and genuine leather. If you are in the process of buying and also want to weigh up ergonomics, dimensions or mechanisms, you can check our main guide on how to choose an office chair.
Article index
- Why the upholstery of an office chair matters
- Comparison of materials for office chairs
- Office chairs with a mesh backrest
- Fabric-upholstered office chairs
- Faux leather office chairs
- Genuine leather office chairs
- Which material to choose according to your use
- How to care for each type of upholstery
- Conclusion
Why the upholstery of an office chair matters
The type of upholstery on an office chair determines how it feels to sit on, how it ages over time and what maintenance it needs. A chair may have good adjustments, but if the fabric does not breathe, wears out quickly or is hard to clean, the daily experience can get worse.
The most common materials are mesh, fabric, faux leather and genuine leather. Each one answers to different needs: ventilation, comfort, design, resistance, ease of cleaning or a professional image.
That is why, before choosing a chair, it is worth thinking about the environment where it will be used, the hours of use, the temperature of the space, the level of maintenance you want to take on and the style you are looking for in your office or study.
Comparison of materials for office chairs
To make choosing easier, here is a visual comparison of the main materials used in office chairs and the most suitable use for each one.
| Material | Ideal for | Strong point | Things to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mesh | Long working days, warm environments and users who want breathability. | Ventilation, lightness and modern design. | It offers less of a padded feel than other materials. |
| Fabric | Offices, home desks, meeting rooms and study areas. | Comfort, variety of colours and good value for money. | It can stain more easily and needs more care when cleaning. |
| Faux leather | Offices, executive office chairs and spaces where easy cleaning is wanted. | Elegant appearance, easy maintenance and a more affordable price than genuine leather. | It breathes less and can feel warmer in summer. |
| Genuine leather | Executive offices and representative spaces. | Durability, elegance and a premium finish. | Higher price and more specific maintenance. |
Office chairs with a mesh backrest
Mesh office chairs are one of the most common options in modern work environments. Their main advantage is breathability: the backrest lets air circulate better and helps avoid the build-up of heat during long days.
This material is usually used above all in backrests, although there are also models with a mesh seat. It is a very interesting option for warm offices, shared spaces or users who spend many hours in front of the computer.
Mesh also brings a light and up-to-date look. Many mesh office chairs combine comfort, flexibility and good ventilation, especially in models designed for long working days.
Advantages of mesh: it breathes well, is light, offers a modern image and usually has simple maintenance.
Things to keep in mind: it can offer less of a padded feel than a chair upholstered in fabric or faux leather, and there is normally less variety of colours or textures.
Recommended for: long working days, warm offices, working from home, operational workstations and users looking for a cool and functional chair.
Fabric-upholstered office chairs
Fabric-upholstered chairs are a very common alternative thanks to their comfort, variety and good value for money. Fabric lets you choose among many colours, finishes and textures, which makes it easier to adapt the chair to the style of the office or the home study.
This material usually offers a pleasant and warm seat. It is common in fabric office chairs, operational chairs, desk chairs, visitor chairs and some models for professional use. In addition, depending on the fabric, it can offer good resistance to wear.
Among textile upholstery there are simpler fabrics and other technical ones, designed to better withstand daily use, friction or dirt. That is why not all fabrics have the same durability or the same maintenance.
Advantages of fabric: it is comfortable, versatile, offers a lot of visual variety and usually has a balanced price.
Things to keep in mind: it can stain more easily than other materials and its cleaning usually needs more care.
Recommended for: offices, home desks, meeting rooms, study areas and users who value comfort and variety of design.
Faux leather office chairs
Faux leather, also known as synthetic leather, is a material widely used in office chairs and armchairs for its elegant appearance, its more affordable price compared to genuine leather and its ease of cleaning.
This material is usually found in executive armchairs, office chairs and models with a more representative look. Its finish can imitate genuine leather and bring a more formal image to the workspace.
One of its great advantages is maintenance: many surface stains can be cleaned easily with a damp cloth. If you want to go deeper into this material, you can read our article on what synthetic or faux leather is.
Advantages of faux leather: it has an elegant look, is easy to clean, is usually cheaper than genuine leather and fits well in offices or representative positions.
Things to keep in mind: it breathes less than mesh or fabric, can feel warmer in summer and needs certain care to avoid wear or cracks over time.
Recommended for: offices, executive office chairs, management rooms, consulting rooms and spaces where a professional image with simple maintenance is wanted.
Genuine leather office chairs
Genuine leather is one of the most elegant and representative materials for office chairs and armchairs. It is usually associated with executive offices, boardrooms and spaces where the image of the furniture plays an important role.
Its main advantage is the sensation of quality. Genuine leather offers a premium finish, good durability and an aesthetic that is hard to match by other upholstery. It can also be very comfortable if it is looked after correctly.
This kind of finish is commonly found in leather office chairs and executive models, where the aim is to convey professionalism, presence and a higher level of finish.
Advantages of genuine leather: it brings elegance, durability, a pleasant touch and a very representative image.
Things to keep in mind: it has a higher price and needs specific care to keep its appearance well over time.
Recommended for: executive offices, representative offices, boardrooms and users looking for a premium finish.
Which material to choose according to your use
If you are going to spend many hours seated and you work in a warm environment, mesh is usually one of the best options. Its ventilation capacity helps keep a cooler feel throughout the day.
If you are looking for a comfortable, versatile chair with more colour options, fabric may fit better. It is a good alternative for home desks, operational offices or rooms where you want to combine comfort and design.
If you need a chair that is easy to clean and has a more elegant image, faux leather can be a good choice. It is common in offices, office chairs and spaces where a more formal look is wanted without reaching the price of genuine leather.
If you want a more exclusive and representative finish, genuine leather is the most premium option. It usually makes sense in executive positions, professional offices or spaces where the image of the furniture is especially important.
In any case, the material is only part of the decision. It is also worth weighing up ergonomics, the backrest, the seat, the armrests and the adjustment mechanisms. To better understand these elements, you can check our guide on the functions of an office chair.
How to care for each type of upholstery
Maintenance also changes according to the material. Mesh chairs are usually easy to clean by removing dust and wiping with a slightly damp cloth. It is important to avoid aggressive products that could damage the elasticity of the fabric.
Fabric chairs require a little more care, especially against stains. It is advisable to act quickly, use products suited to the type of fabric and avoid soaking the upholstery too much.
Faux leather stands out for its simple cleaning, but it is worth looking after it so it does not dry out or crack. If you have a chair or armchair with this finish, you can check our specific guide on how to clean faux leather chairs and armchairs.
Genuine leather needs more delicate maintenance. To preserve its appearance, it is advisable to clean it with suitable products, avoid direct sun exposure for long periods and keep it moisturised according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
Conclusion
The materials and fabrics for office chairs directly influence the comfort, maintenance, look and durability of the chair. That is why choosing the upholstery well is just as important as paying attention to the adjustments or the design.
If you are looking for a cool chair for many hours of use, mesh is usually a great option. For a comfortable and versatile finish, fabric works very well. If you prioritise cleaning and a more formal image, faux leather may fit better. And if you want a premium finish for a representative office, genuine leather is the most exclusive alternative.
Before deciding, think about your hours of use, the climate of the space, the ease of cleaning you need and the image you want to convey. That way you will be able to choose a chair that is more comfortable, durable and suited to your way of working.
