How to Choose the Best Fabric for Your Home Decor: Colours, Styles, and Samples

Home décor is exciting… but overwhelming. It requires you to make several decisions, where you’re stuck with “this or that?”. And one of these decisions is regarding textiles.

Silk, velvet, linen, cotton, the list goes on. This makes deciding which home décor fabric to use a challenge. And this integral decision is a part of most interior design projects. Installing new window treatments? Choosing furniture upholstery? Getting a bedding update? One thing is for sure—you’ll be picking new fabrics.

With this buying guide, we aim to educate you on everything related to fabric in interior design. We’ll talk about the purpose of fabrics, the various types, and finding your style. So, by the end of this post, you can make an informed decision on which fabric to use in your home. And the one you choose not only fits into your existing décor but also lives up to your lifestyle.

So, let’s get started!

 

Understand the Purpose of Your Fabric

First things first—determine how you and your family will use the fabric. For example, are you shopping for window treatments or to upholster a sofa? If you’re upholstering a piece—is it for an accent chair that hardly gets used or is it for a sofa that your kids and pets love to jump on? For the former category, plush fabrics like velvet or silk would do well. For the latter, you’d want more durable options like leather.

This brings us to our point on the differences in fabrics based on their use:

Curtain fabrics. These are lighter and more fluid. This is because their main function is decorative. (You know, they should drape beautifully). Curtain fabrics are:

• Less durable
• Have a smoother and softer feel
• Light (sheer) to medium (blackout) in thickness
• Examples: Voile, linen, silk

Upholstery fabrics. These are built for durability and comfort. Upholstery fabrics should be able to withstand contact and even spills. Their characteristics include:

• Built with durability in mind
• Have varied textures (such as textured weaves)
• Thick so they can withstand use
• Examples: Leather, denim, microfibre

Our Sakura (Japanese Influence) Collection

 

Tips for Choosing the Best Fabric Based on Their Intended Use

If you’re choosing fabric for curtains, you want to consider the amount of light you require in the room. We recommend sheer fabrics (like voile) if you’re looking to soften natural light in a room. In contrast, thicker materials (like velvet) can help provide privacy and darkness in the space.

On the other hand, when choosing fabric for upholstery, consider the area you will use the furniture in. The living room, for example, sees plenty of traffic. So fabrics with a higher rub count and stain resistance will work well here.

Our Checks and Stripes Collection

 

Choose the Right Fabric Material

Once you’ve made up your mind on the intended use, the next factor to consider is the fabric material. We mean to say, what is the fabric constructed of? There are plenty of options in the market, and understanding the pros and cons for different uses can help you make your decision.

Cotton

This is a soft and breathable fabric that is easy to maintain.

• Cotton for curtains: It is lightweight and breathable, so can drape well. However, cotton (if not lined) can fade over time if you expose it to sunlight for too long.

Cotton for upholstery: Cotton is soft and comfortable, so it works well for furniture upholstery in casual settings. However, it may not be the most durable pick for high-traffic furniture upholstery.

Linen

This is a natural fibre with a light and airy texture.

Linen for curtains: Linen drapes beautifully and has a natural texture. But it’s important to remember that linen can easily wrinkle. It can also shrink if it’s not pre-treated.

Linen for upholstery: It is super breathable so it’s a comfortable choice for furniture. But, like cotton, linen may be less durable—and wrinkle easily.

Luxe Chenille

Luxe chenille means one thing: luxury. This soft and plush fabric has a velvety texture. This can easily add a rich look to your interior.

Luxe Chenille for curtains: This provides excellent insulation, so it can block out light. It is a heavier fabric, though, so will require sturdy curtain rods.

Luxe Chenille for upholstery: Chenille lends a soft and inviting feel to upholstered furniture. However, it can absorb spills easily, so it’s important to treat it with a fabric protector.

Chateau

Chateau fabric has a luxurious and regal aesthetic. We love its intricate patterns as well as rich textures.

Chateau for curtains: This fabric makes a true statement when it comes to curtains. Its heavy weight makes it perfect for formal, grand settings. However, because of its weight, you want to have professional help installing it.

Chateau for upholstery: Chateau fabric is perfect for an accent chair and furniture that receives less use.

 

Find Your Style

Do you want a voluminous soak for your curtains—or something more sleek and sophisticated? The style of fabric you choose should reflect your personal style while fitting into the existing décor. There are just so many styles to choose from, with some of the trending ones being:

• Solid colours, like our Soleto Chenille Rose. These offer a clean and polished look to the space.
• Prints and patterns can add personality to a space. Popular patterns are florals (looking at you, Soulby Floral Woven Jacquard Rose) and stripes (like our Carson Denim). If you’re looking to create a statement, try one of our William Morris designs.
• Textures are a major trend in interior design. We especially love them for the dimension they can add to your space. A top favourite among our customers is velvet—especially so when you add it with the luxurious Yamuna Velvet Emerald fabric.
• Nature-inspired fabrics that mimic natural elements are also becoming increasingly popular in interiors. This is because they bring a sense of the outdoors into our homes. The elephants in our Yamuna Velvet Clay fabric interestingly serve the purpose 😉

While these are famous trends, the one you choose depends on what YOU love!

 

Our Mahina Collection

 

Consider Fabric Samples

Choosing the right fabric is a major decision… and while online shopping is convenient, it comes with the challenge of testing a fabric. That’s why we’ve introduced fabric samples, so you can order small swatches right at home and observe the fabric’s colour (under different light levels), textures, and weight. Plus, you can better compare it with your existing décor—and assess how well it will fit in.

So, with our fabric samples, we aim to help you eliminate the guesswork and be more confident in your decision. (This also means fewer disappointments after installation!). So before making the final decision, we encourage you to request samples through our website and experience our high-quality fabrics first-hand—before committing to larger purchases.

 

 

Final Words

And, that’s a wrap on our fabric buying guide! We hope you can now make more informed decisions on the fabric you need for your home 😊