Kravet Fabric Outlet vs. Showrooms: A Cost Controller’s Perspective on Where to Buy Your Upholstery & Curtains

There's no single answer to 'where should I buy Kravet fabric?' It really depends on whether you're a trade professional sourcing for a project, a DIYer tackling a single piece of furniture, or someone looking for a specific item like a blue linen shirt—wait, wrong Kravet. We're talking about the fabric. So, about that Kravet outlet.

It's tempting to think the outlet is always the cheapest option. But in my experience, the cheapest option on the tag isn't always the cheapest option overall. I'm a procurement manager at a mid-sized design firm. I've managed our soft goods budget (roughly $180,000 annually across 6 years), negotiated with 20+ vendors, and I've learned that the real savings come from understanding the total cost of ownership (TCO), not just the unit price.

Here's how I break down the three main scenarios for buying Kravet fabric, based on what's actually cheaper and more efficient.

Scenario 1: The Kravet Fabric Outlet (The 'Project Surplus' Option)

The Kravet Fabric Outlet is a real thing, and it's not a myth. It's a warehouse of remnants, discontinued patterns, and overstock. For a specific type of buyer, it's a goldmine. For others, it's a trap.

When it works

You have a small project (a single armchair, two throw pillows, a small ottoman) and you can afford to be flexible on the pattern and color. You also have the time to visit in person or scroll through online listings that are often not perfectly updated.

I've done this. In Q2 2024, I nabbed 12 yards of a discontinued Kravet velvet for a client's accent chair for $18/yard. The original price was $120/yard. We saved $1,224 on that one order. The client was thrilled.

Pros	Cons
Huge discounts (50-80% off retail)	Limited yardage (remnants often 3-10 yards)
Unique finds (discontinued patterns)	No returns on clearance/outlet items
Instant availability (no lead time)	Can't order more if you run short

The hidden cost you don't see

The risk here is availability. You can't go back for more. If you miscalculate yardage or cut wrong, you're stuck. I've seen a designer buy 8 yards of a discontinued pattern for a sofa, only to realize they needed 12 for the pattern match. They ended up buying a different, full-price fabric for $80/yard to finish the job. That 'savings' evaporated pretty fast.

Who is this for? DIYers with a specific, small project in mind, or trade pros who need accent pieces and have a buffer in their budget for a potential redo.

Scenario 2: The Kravet Showroom (The 'I Know What I Need' Option)

This is the traditional route. Visiting a showroom (or ordering through the Kravet website or a trade account) gives you access to the full catalog: the latest collections, performance fabrics, contract-grade Crypton, and the full line of Kravet Couture. This is where you go when you need a guaranteed delivery date.

When it works

You're a trade professional with a client deadline. You need a specific pattern, color, and performance grade. Or you're a homeowner who's fallen in love with a specific fabric and you're not willing to compromise.

According to the Kravet pricing guidelines (which I've seen fluctuate since 2023), showroom pricing is typically full retail, but trade discounts of 10-30% are common for designers. The value isn't the lowest price—it's the certainty. You know exactly what you're getting, when you'll get it, and you can contact your sales rep for updates.

Pros	Cons
Full catalog access (current and backstock)	Highest upfront price (usually)
Consistent yardage available (for large projects)	Lead times of 2-6 weeks for special orders
Support and returns (if defective)	Shipping costs (unless you pick up)

The hidden cost you don't see

The 'cheapest' fabric on the price list isn't always the most cost-effective when you factor in performance. For a contract project, a $40/yard performance Crypton fabric might be 10x more durable than a $20/yard delicate velvet. Over a 5-year contract, the $40 fabric saves on replacement and cleaning. That's TCO in action.

Scenario 3: The 'Between' Option (Online Discounters & Secondhand)

This is the gray area. Sites like eBay, Etsy, and specialty fabric discounters often sell Kravet fabric (or Kravet-like fabric) at a discount. This is where you find a 'blue linen shirt women' (uh, wrong category again) or a 'black velvet curtain' remnant.

This is high-risk, high-reward. You're relying on a seller's description of the color, weight, and yardage. You can't touch it, and you usually can't return it.

Pros	Cons
Can be cheaper than outlet (for specific items)	Counterfeit or mislabeled stock is a real risk
Access to truly rare or vintage patterns	No customer support for errors
No minimum order	No way to verify color fastness or durability

I've been burned here. In 2022, I bought 15 yards of what was advertised as 'Kravet black velvet curtains' for a theatre project for $400. When it arrived, it was a different weave—a cheap cotton velvet that didn't have the flame-retardant rating we needed. That mistake cost us $350 for a rush order of the correct fabric from a local supplier.

How to Decide: A Cost Controller’s Checklist

So, how do you know which scenario you're in? Ask yourself these three questions:

1. What's the risk tolerance? If the project failing means losing a client or a significant deposit, you go with the showroom (Scenario 2). The premium is insurance.
2. What's the quantity? Under 10 yards and a flexible pattern? Outlet (Scenario 1). Over 20 yards and a specific deadline? Showroom.
3. What's the time frame? Need it in 2 weeks? Forget the outlet. Need it in 2 months? You can afford to wait for a remnant listing.

Ultimately, the 'cheapest' Kravet fabric is the one you can actually use without a costly redo. I've learned that the hard way. Don't hold me to this, but the savings from the outlet are real—if you're willing to play the game.