How to choose the best fabrics that will elevate your home’s interior

Decorating your home can be one of the most exciting projects, but it can be simultaneously overwhelming, requiring you to make plenty of choices. Let’s be honest: being stuck with “this or that?” isn’t fun at all, especially regarding your home! After all, the décor impacts the home's aesthetics and atmosphere, which should be as welcoming as possible. One of the decisions you must make regarding home décor is what type of textiles you will opt for, whether linen, silk, cotton, etc. 

If you’re feeling overwhelmed at the thought of choosing fabrics for your home’s interior, fret not – we’ve got you covered. In this blog, we will cover everything you need to know about fabrics and how to use them successfully in the décor of your sweet home. Read on! 

Consider the purpose of the fabric 

The first thing you want to do is determine the fabric's intended use. Are you planning to buy it for window treatment or to upholster your living room sofa? If it’s the latter, you also need to consider if it’s for an accent chair that won’t be used as much or a sofa that your pets and kids will jump on often. This is important because different types of fabrics are suitable for the two categories: while plush fabrics like silk or velvet would do well in the former case, for the latter, you’d want to opt for something more durable, such as leather. 

Fabrics are usually different based on their uses. For instance, curtain fabrics are more fluid and lighter, given that their primary function is decorative, while fabrics for upholstery are built with comfort and durability in mind so that they can withstand spills and contact. These are important considerations when choosing fabric for your home’s interior, so don’t overlook them. 

Choose the right material 

The fabric’s material impacts the choice of fabric significantly, and it’s essential to remember that different materials have unique pros and cons in terms of cleanability, durability, aesthetics, and so on. For instance, cotton is soft and breathable, working well for furniture upholstery in casual environments. 

However, if you intend to use it for high-traffic furniture upholstery, it may not be very durable. Linen is another fabric commonly used for curtains or upholstery. It has a light and airy texture. One of its advantages is that it drapes beautifully, but it can also wrinkle easily and shrink unless it is pre-treated. Besides, just like cotton, it isn’t very durable if you intend to use it for upholstery. 

Ensure the fabric is durable 

All fabric manufacturers are required to test their goods; one of the necessary assessments is the rubs test. Essentially, it involves figuring out how many times you can rub a fabric back and forth before it shows signs of wearing out. Manufacturers examine abrasion, rubbing, and general wear through a machine. When determining the durability of a fabric, it can be genuinely useful to monitor its double rubs count: generally, an upholstery weight cloth has around 15,000 double rubs, and anything with a durability between 25,000 to 30,000 (or above that rating) makes for the perfect choice when it comes to commercial environments. 

The more times a fabric is worn before showing wear and tear signs, the more durable it is. So, when picking a fabric for your home’s interior, consider this number – you can find the information on the back of the samples online or by asking the merchant directly. 

Think of the design and aesthetic you want to achieve

There’s another essential factor that matters when choosing fabric for your home’s interior: the aesthetic you’re looking to achieve. Do you like fun patterns and bright colors? Are you into elegant, texture neutrals? Are you attempting to make a statement with the fabric? Make sure to answer these questions and think of your own preferences as well as the home’s ambiance, and before making a choice, consider bringing a sample of the fabric to your home, allowing you to examine it carefully and contrast it with other furniture, so you can observe whether it fits the design of the room. 

Choosing the proper fabric is undoubtedly essential, as it allows you to achieve a unified and aesthetically pleasing look. To elevate the home's design, consider fabrics that contrast each other in terms of pattern, texture, and color. You can also make the most of a fabric highlighting a room's features. Whatever aesthetic you wish to achieve, there’s no doubt that the appropriate fabric selection will make a ton of difference in the design of your living space, whether you want to create a sleek and contemporary look or a warm ambiance. 

Consider cleaning and care 

Your fabric will require cleaning, but it’s essential to know that it may have specific needs depending on the type. So, you want to think about this aspect and ask yourself if you’d prefer a fabric you could throw in the washing machine or if you’d be okay with washing it by hand. Or maybe you’d prefer a wipeable performance fabric. Whatever the case, having the right cleaning procedure on hand is imperative if something spills on the drapes or on your lovely couch. 

Some fabrics merely require water-based cleaning products, but you need to be aware of the requirements so that you can properly care for your fabric. One thing is sure: the moment it needs cleaning, it will come, so make sure to be prepared! 

The bottom line

Choosing fabrics for your home’s décor is a thoughtful process, as there are many elements that you need to keep in mind. A carefully chosen fabric can elevate the look of your home tremendously, creating the right ambiance while also ensuring durability, so don’t rush the process: take your time to shop for the right fabrics so that you feel fulfilled with the result and turn your home into an inviting space that you rarely want to leave.  

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