Fabrics don’t stop with picking out curtains and furniture for your rooms – it goes all the way up to rugs, paintings, wall hangings, throwers, runners and you will be surprised as to how fabric can make or break your living space. Plain, patterned or woven fabric, when used in the right way will definitely make a statement, but you have to ensure that it sits well with the background and ties the entire room together—they should not clash!
LIVING ROOM
Choose your fabric wisely here because this is the first thing that will grab your guests’ attention as they enter your home. Be it for sofa cover or foot stools, get durable ones because you can’t really keep changing them from time to time; especially when you have children and pets! Always buy fabrics that can withstand rugged use!
Leather
As you are aware, leather is not the cheapest material; however, it is an investment as it will last for years together (if maintained well!) It is made from animal hide and is incredibly tough.
Vinyl
The non-animal version of leather, vinyl is easy-care and less expensive. They are ideal for living spaces; however, its durability depends on its quality.
Suede
Suede is made from the softer underside of animals. The brushed finish makes it soft and is really comfortable to lounge on.
Color
Use dark coloured furniture, if the walls of your living room are of a light or a neutral shade. You can also add a pop of colour by placing colourful foot stools and ottomans in the room. Something different: Of course, no living room is complete without curtains. Don’t settle for plain sheets, use upholstery fabric for your curtains. Even though they are heavy, they come with heavy-duty rods that can hold them up.
BEDROOM
If you have a headboard to your bed, this is your chance to play with fabrics! Create an abstract art or a well-designed traditional mix of pieces of fabric together by stitching them into a unique patchwork design. Use this to cover your headboard for an artistic and elegant appeal at the same time. Bedroom is your personal den, it is where you sleep, sometimes read a book or just relax. Ensure whatever fabrics you use, they are pleasing to the eyes.
Cotton
This natural fibre provides good resistance to wear and tear, fading and pilling. It’s incredibly versatile and comes in a variety of weights; it is relatively cheap (except Egyptian cotton) and easy to clean.
Linen
Linen is made from flax and is a smooth fibre, which makes it the perfect fabric for your bedding.
Silk
Synonymous with luxury, it drapes beautifully and has a natural sheen. It is a great hypoallergenic option as it resists dust mites; what’s more? It is organic!
Color
Your bedroom needs to look subtle and relaxing after a long day’s work, but at the same time, you could play with colours to mix and match different fabrics. Your bed accessories must complement your curtains and decor in the room. Something different: Add a little more oomph to the room my placing a fabric wall hanging on top of the bed. There are a lot of DIY fabric wall hanging techniques that you could try out.
KITCHEN
Play it safe with the type of fabrics you purchase for your kitchen. Fabrics for your kitchen like hand towels, mats and cleaning cloths, need regular washing as they become dirty often. Also they have to be comfortable and durable.
Acrylic
High-quality acrylics resist wear and tear, wrinkling, soiling and fading. They are soft to the touch and easy to use and maintain.
Cotton
Although this fabric is less resistant to soiling, wrinkling and fire, it makes cleaning easier. It is soft and absorbent, hence aids in cleaning.
Color
Spruce up your kitchen by adding colour to it—you can have colourful towels and napkins that will brighten up your cooking space. Something different: Don’t forget to decorate your kitchen with cosies. You can have cosies for door and cabinet handles, fridge handles, ovens and much more!
DINING ROOM
One of the most used rooms of your home, the dining area should be decorated well. Use comfortable fabric for your dining chairs and get some accent cushions to complement them. Don’t forget to adorn your dining table with a table cloth, runner, mats and napkins!
Rayon
As this fabric imitates the natural sheen of silk, it can be used to add luxe factor to your dining area. It is also easy to clean and maintain.
Polyester
It can be blended with other fibres like cotton to increase the fabric’s strength and durability. It is dirt resistant and is comparatively less expensive.
Color
As long as it complements your interior (and the table, of course), any colour can be used to brighten up your dining area. Something different: Make your dining area a funky space by adding a colourful rug or carpet in the room.
