The number one position goes to seductive, soft-feel velvet and any other fabric with a pile:
- plain, classic embossed velvet;
- antique or viscose-enabled finishes;
- structured linen velvet;
- striped, ribbed, relief woven velvet;
- geometric or floral designs;
- crushed/crinkled panné velvet;
- narrow or distinctively wide velvet cord;
- fine chenille in generous seventies designs and, in contrast, faux plains, panama and tweedy fabrics, some with a myriad of thick chenille yarn woven into them to create sumptuous volume and trendy flock prints with a surprisingly deep pile.

It goes without saying that flannel, walk and doubleface are also included in the "soft-touch fabric" category and, brand new, upholstery-quality, knitted fabrics. These knits even contain a high percentage of wool, providing not only a touch of avant-garde chic but elasticity as well, which makes them the fabric of choice for multifunctional, freeform relax furniture and curvaceous, sculptured seating.

Ribbed structures are a consistent and important trend them which crops up time and again as cord, relief weave velvet, ribs, pleated fabrics and knits.

Satins, on the other hand, favour the smooth, lustrous look, with Sahco Hesslein showing off new silk satins and fine ribs, often in striped varieties, with moiré or tone-on-tone colour graduation to create movement. Lustre and Lurex yarn add sparkle to Jacquards and even two-ply fabrics.

Most of the latest furnishing fabrics feature ondulating structures which draw the eye to the intricacy of the weave with their play on light and shade. The decorative segment's passion for experimentation has conquered the furnishing fabrics as well, with the appearance of imitation leather. Some extremely interesting developments in look and feel have been achieved using high tech processes. Coating is the magic word in this context, with grained, pigskin-look, imitation leather and suede in natural colours now in evidence. A host of other coatings, rubberised finishes and lacquers are also being piloted on upholstery fabrics, mainly to provide contrast when combined with soft fabrics.