Lets start with upholstery weight fabrics, as durability is always in the forefront. The weight of these fabrics is defined as being able to hold up to heavy usage. You can definitely feel the difference between a light weight fabric, usually used for drapery or toss pillows, and a heavy weight fabric used for upholstery, pillows, and cornices. For well used seating such as family room sofas, breakfast chairs, office chairs, and children rooms, a heavy weight fabric such as chenille, micro fibers, leathers (though technically leather is not a "fabric", but a material used in upholstery), or any other tightly woven fabric is best suited. These materials are generally easy to clean and keep clean. In more formal settings, a backed silk becomes very durable, but usually not cleaned easily, unless professionally cleaned, and then there could still be problems.
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The above mentioned fabrics are also well suite for upholstered walls and ceilings, even though a light weight fabric could also fit the bill. There are general rules for patterned fabrics and solids. Lets define the difference in there use. For larger upholstered pieces most interior designers use a solid fabric and accent with a patterned toss pillow. There are many fabrics on the market today that appear solid, but have a small dot, a slight slub, a subtle thread running through it, that will make up beautifully on upholstered pieces. They add a new dimension to the furniture piece, add a little excitement, a show a different style. Patterned fabrics are used more as accents since changing them will result in very little expense. To change a few toss pillows to a different color as compared to changing as entire sofa, clearly make sense.
