A guide to choosing the right fabrics for your home

A guide to choosing the right fabrics for your home

When it comes to choosing home fabrics, the decision can quickly become quite overwhelming with so many materials, colours, textures, and patterns available. However, many useful interior design guides online can take the stress away by helping you make these important decisions. This blog takes a closer look at choosing fabrics for your home, so that you can create an interior space that fits the latest design trends and your own unique style with ease.

The importance of home fabrics

In many homes, the choice of fabric can be left until the end of the interior design process, as it is often seen as a finishing touch. However, fabrics should be an integral part of the process, and it can be very beneficial to build your theme around items such as your tailored curtains, blinds, sofas, chairs, cushions and more. It is these furnishings that bring a theme together, from the way we dress our windows through to cushions on our sofas, the fabrics will define the room.

Different textures for your home decor

Textures within home fabrics can be both a practical and a design orientated choice, especially if you are looking to create a layered, creative feel. For homes with children and pets, durable fabrics such as canvas and tweed are great choices, whereas for a luxurious more opulent feel it is recommended to use contrasting layers of materials such as satin and velvet.

How to choose the most suitable fabrics

Practicality comes first

Although fabric choice is an important consideration in terms of interior design, you also need to consider the practicality. The majority of home fabrics will be designed with durability in mind, as in reality no home is designed to be lived in as a show home. The fabrics you choose should be able to withstand daily life, so if you have children or pets, it is recommended to choose the most durable fabrics. However, for more formal rooms which are rarely used, it is possible to choose a more delicate fabric.

Making use of patterns

There are an almost endless array of patterns available within window dressings and upholstery fabrics, from floral and paisley through to modern geometric shapes and stripes. One top tip is to think about the size of your room and the items of furniture which fill the space. A detailed pattern can seem lost in a very large space whereas the lines in geometric and striped fabrics will make a space feel much larger and will also help in making your home look more expensive!

In terms of upholstery fabric, a pattern can be a great way to create a statement in a room, especially if bold colours are used. However, it is important to choose a pattern that fits your own sense of style rather than the latest trends, so that you continue to enjoy the piece for many years to come.

Colours schemes for your home interior

The colour of your home interior can have a significant impact on your mood, and home fabrics will help to bring the overall home colour schemes together. From bright energetic colours such as yellow and orange through to those which help us to unwind, such as blue and indigo, there are many beautiful colours available.

If you like to change your interior style regularly, a great way to achieve this simply is by changing the colour of soft furnishings. Muted tones such as creams, greys and beiges are great for more permanent features such as sofas and headboards, however, on-trend colours such as deep blues and greens can be used within throws, cushions and window dressings for a quick room makeover.