Yes, the company that makes Naugahyde — the name most synonymous with vinyl upholstery — is still alive and kickin’ and selling hundreds different colors, textures and designs of this classic mid century upholstery material.
According to a research trail I took along the wiki, Naugahyde was developed by the U.S. Rubber Company and registered as a trademark in 1936. U.S. Rubber had longtime roots based in Naugatuck, Connecticut, which was the rubber capital of America, it seems, dating all the way back to 1847. Naugatuck –> hence, the name “Naugahyde.” U.S. Rubber was such a major force that it was one of the 12 companies in the first Dow Jones Index, when it was created in 1896. U.S. Rubber became Uniroyal in 1961, is now owned by Michelin, and today has its corporate offices in Sarasota, Florida. But, naugahyde is still made in its longtime manufacturing location — Stoughton, Wisconsin.
Jump over to the Naugahyde product page, and you can see company offers a very large selection of Naugahyde styles and colors specified for all kinds of modern-day uses: medical offices, boats, commercial establishments, recreational vehicles, and more. To be sure, Naugahyde and its competitors producing vinyl-coated fabrics are ubiquitous in the world today, given the durability and functionality of this product.
Naugahyde in retro colors and styles
Of course, Naugahyde also can be used in homes. For example, take a look at the 85 colors in the Millennium Spirit line — these colors seem to have been developed with the retro market in mind. However, I can’t judge the texture based on the thumbnails. Before you buy – it’s always wise to see a sample first. Also, don’t miss the Zodiac line — all sparkly glitter like our vintage Schwinn banana-seat bicycles. I had one in purple and remember it well.
BUT, you cannot buy Naugahyde directly from the company — it sells wholesale only. In a post I did last year, Jan recommended Decorator Supply as a place to get Naugahyde online. Note: I did NOT do formal research on other places — but even with slap-dash googling, I quickly turned up quite a few. I recommend (1) researching what you want on the Naugahyde website, then (2) typing in the product line name, number and color (play around with this) to find online merchants. Again: Get a sample before you buy.
Naugahyde is not the only game in town. I found this company — C.F. Stinson — last year; I also have spotted Spradling online (wholesale only -but good for research.)
Finally, some vintage Naugahyde love in this story: 35 colors of vintage Naugahyde
Lynn-O-Matic says
Hate on it all you want, naysayers, but I love Naugahyde! Or “genuine imitation leather,” as they used to say. I’m wondering if my diner chairs from Target with the sparkly red vinyl are actually Naugahyde. The label said the chairs were made by the same company that had been making them since they first made them for railroad diner cars, so it would make sense that they used Naugahyde. The red sparkle is fabulous. I’m pretty sure my old chrome & vinyl barbershop sofa is upholstered in Naugahyde and looks almost as good as the day it was made. Naugahyde lasts forever compared to some modern vinyl.
Frank says
Pam,
Love your website more than my luggage, but Naugahyde is right up there with polyester leisure suits. This story brings back bad 1970s summer-memories of sweaty thighs sticking to our black Naugahyde-tufted couch with leopard print pillows.
Tony P says
Ugh. I’ll take leather thank you. I like the skin of dead cows better than an artificial product.
That is why there are about 150 square feet of leather in this living room.
Melanie says
Thanks for the great information! I’ve been looking to replace the vinyl on my kitchen chairs, maybe I can find something now. 🙂
NoCoRetro says
Oh fantastic! I need to replace the covered cushions on my Krueger tulip chairs!
Stacey says
Good things I now know about Naugahyde:
1. No VOCs.
2. No ODCs.
3. Still in business.
4. Made in the U.S.A. – yea!
Susan K says
Wow!
I’d love to see readers’ uploads of naugahyde in their homes!
kathyhora says
Really, I’m not being a p-i-t-a, but AKRON, OHIO was the rubber capital of the world…GOODYEAR, FIRESTONE, GOODRICH, MOHAWK, GENERAL..ETC – tire compaines…just to be sure, I even looked it up thru Wikipedia.
I know this because I grew up in a suburb of Akron – Mogadore, Ohio — my Dad and my best friend’s Dad were the only two Dads I knew of in my little town that didn’t work for a rubber company….
We are now the rust belt because in the late 70’s all the rubber companies pulled production out of Akron and moved to “less expensive” facliities…sad sad sad for our area! They did at least keep their headquarters here!
But we are certainly still very proud to be the RUBBER CAPITAL OF THE WORLD!
pam kueber says
oopsy — when i get a second i will correct. bow to the akron!!!
Natalie @ Chadwell Chronicles says
Sometimes I feel like you read my mind. We bought an awesome $50 couch last weekend, but it matches nothing in my house. I have been looking for a new couch for the living room and this one is awesome, but I want it to be a different color. I am thinking for the price tag, it might be okay to get it reupholstered. Thanks for info, I will start collecting my samples!
P.S. It might even end up costing as much as the Ikea couch I wanted to get and hack. Seen here: http://www.ourmidcentury.com/2010/11/our-karlstad-sofa-hack.html
Wendy M. says
Thanks for the info! You have perfect timing, as I was just thinking about a project that would involve Naugahyde. (Through pinterest I found an online tutorial on how to make a tufted bench with mid-century legs…I may be able to replace my tattered ottoman sooner than I thought!)
Thanks for all the research you do…your site never ceases to amaze and impress me! 🙂