Hospitality Trends 2025: Upholstery Materials Making Waves
What Restaurants Need to Know About the Hottest Seating Trends
The restaurant industry continues to evolve in 2025, blending comfort, style, and durability in new ways to meet the changing expectations of diners. One often-overlooked but essential part of that experience? Upholstery. The material you choose for your booths, banquettes, and chairs directly affects not only the look of your restaurant but how your guests feel—and how long they stay.
At JD’s Upholstery, we’re seeing exciting trends in upholstery materials that go beyond aesthetics. Today’s fabrics are smarter, more sustainable, and engineered to stand up to the fast-paced restaurant environment. Here are the top upholstery materials making waves in hospitality this year:
1. Performance Vinyls with a Leather Look
Restaurants still love the timeless, upscale look of leather—but in 2025, high-performance vinyls are stealing the spotlight. These synthetic materials mimic the look and texture of leather while offering superior resistance to spills, stains, and wear. They’re easy to clean, cost-effective, and ideal for high-traffic dining areas.
Why it’s trending: It blends luxury with practicality. Plus, it’s available in a variety of colors, grains, and finishes to match any restaurant style.
2. Antimicrobial & Easy-Clean Fabrics
Post-pandemic cleanliness expectations remain high, and upholstery has followed suit. Antimicrobial fabrics with built-in protection are becoming the go-to in restaurants that want to reduce the risk of bacteria and odor buildup.
Why it’s trending: Cleanliness is still top-of-mind for customers—and materials that promote hygiene without sacrificing style are a win-win.
3. Eco-Friendly, Sustainable Fabrics
More diners are choosing businesses that align with their values. Sustainable upholstery materials—like recycled polyester blends and plant-based leathers—are not only stylish, but they also send a message about your brand’s commitment to the environment.
Why it’s trending: Going green isn’t a trend—it’s the future. Sustainable choices are becoming a major part of a restaurant’s brand identity.
4. Bold Patterns and Textures
Neutral tones still have their place, but restaurants in 2025 are embracing bold patterns, rich textures, and layered designs to create memorable, Instagram-worthy dining spaces. From art deco patterns to plush velvets and modern geometrics, upholstery is being used to tell a visual story.
Why it’s trending: Diners want more than a meal—they want an experience. Unique upholstery sets the mood and helps restaurants stand out.
5. Color-Blocking and Custom Combinations
Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all booth designs. Restaurants are now using upholstery to define zones, create mood changes, and inject energy into their space with color-blocking and contrasting material combinations.
Why it’s trending: Customization allows restaurants to reflect their brand and cater to different dining atmospheres—lounge areas vs. family seating, for example.
Stay Ahead of the Trends with JD’s Upholstery
Whether you’re refreshing your space or launching a new concept, JD’s Upholstery can help you bring these 2025 upholstery trends to life. We work with restaurants across Nashville and nationwide to deliver custom-crafted seating solutions that are built to impress—and built to last.
📞 Let’s talk comfort, style, and durability—contact us today for a consultation!