What’s in a Name? The Many Faces of the Fabric Sofa

Walk into any furniture shop and you’ll hear it called a fabric sofa. But scroll online for more than five minutes and suddenly you’re knee-deep in cloth couches, textile loungers, soft-touch seating, and a few names that sound like they belong on a baby name list. So what’s the difference? Is it all just marketing waffle, or are there real things to know? Let’s break it down.

1. Fabric Sofa (The Classic)
This is the umbrella term. If it’s not leather, it’s probably fabric. Simple as that. These are your everyday comfy couches made from materials like chenille, cord, polyester or velvet. The term “fabric sofa” is the safe bet. It’s what most people type into Google when they’re on the hunt for something soft to park themselves on.

2. Cloth Sofa (The Old School)
Same idea, different name. “Cloth sofa” is a bit more traditional. The kind of term your nan might use while pointing at a 3-piece suite in a catalogue. Technically accurate, though it sounds more like something you might clean rather than collapse into.

3. Upholstered Sofa (The Formal One)
Fancy-sounding, but all it really means is “a sofa with material over padding.” So yes, basically every sofa that isn’t made of concrete. Retailers love this term when they want to make things sound posh.

4. Chenille, Cord, Velvet, and Linen – The VIPs
Now we’re getting specific. These are the types of fabric used on fabric sofas:

• Chenille: Soft, warm, and cosy. Hugs you like a Sunday afternoon.

• Jumbo Cord or Ribbed Cord: Ridged, durable, and great for homes with kids or pets.

• Crushed Velvet: A bit glam. Catches the light and shows off a bit.

• Linen Blend: Breezy and modern. Ideal for neutral colour schemes.

When customers say they want a “fabric sofa,” they often mean one of these. They just don’t know the name yet. That’s where we help out.

5. Couch, Settee, or Sofa?
Let’s settle this. They all mean the same thing. “Sofa” is the most common in the UK. “Couch” is a bit more American, but creeping into everyday use. “Settee” is pure Northern charm, and we’ll keep saying it even if the internet calls us old-fashioned.

6. The Marketing Twist
Retailers love naming sofas like they’re luxury cars. If you see words like “Signature Collection,” “Luxe Plush,” or names like “The Harrington” or “The Saffron,” you’re not wrong for wondering if it’s a sofa or a racehorse. The truth is, it’s usually just a chenille 3-seater with a good PR team.

7. Fabric Recliners, Fabric Corner Sofas, and Modulars
Here’s where function meets fabric. You’ll find fabric sofas sliced into categories like:

• Fabric recliner sofas – feet up at the push of a button.

• Fabric corner sofas – great for awkward living room corners and big TV sessions.

• Modular fabric sofas – mix, match, and move around when you can’t commit.

So, What Should You Call It?
Honestly? Whatever you like. Whether you’re looking for a cloth couch, a soft-touch suite, or just a decent comfy fabric sofa that won’t cost the earth, we’ve got plenty ready to sit on right now. We won’t quiz you on the name, promise.

At Alec’s, we sell proper fabric sofas at clearance prices. No sales gimmicks, no made-up model names. Just big comfy sofas from well-known UK brands, in stock and ready for delivery.

Browse the range and discover which name feels right once you’ve sat on it. Because in the end, it’s not what you call it. It’s how good it feels.