26th September 2012

The Beauty of Fabric

By Darlings Of Chelsea

Fabric plays a key role in every home. If you don’t believe this, just stop and take a look around any room of your choice. It’s there in many forms, from curtains to cushions and bedding to sofas. Fabric is an important part of good interior design, so if you are looking to improve or change the appearance of your home, this is an excellent place to start.

How can you use fabric to determine the feel of a room?

Fabric can have a profound effect on how a room feels. Think of the difference between a thick heavy luxurious fabric and a light soft one for example, especially when used for curtains or a fabric sofa, it can change the feel of a room, from either light and airy to cozy and relaxing.

A lot will also depend on the appearance and texture of the fabric. You could opt for a completely plain block of colour, or a pattern or design of some kind. Even if the fabric is presented in just one colour, the fabric itself can still be woven to include a multi dimensional pattern. Different textures also play an important part of how the fabric looks and feels. This should be taken into consideration when purchasing furniture or fabric as it can impact on the feel of the overall design.

Cluttered or calm?

Some rooms are made to be active and vibrant, while others are best when they are calmer. So you need to think about how your chosen fabrics will make the room appear.

Bright accent colored fabrics

Light, plain and airy fabrics will give the room a more relaxed feel. In contrast heavier patterned fabrics can make it cosier yet darker. If you are surrounded by busy patterns you won’t get the relaxed feel you could be looking for, so make sure you consider the outcome of each fabric choice you make.

How to get started choosing the best fabrics for each room

The best way to begin is by narrowing down the type and colour of fabric you want. For example, you should begin with a colour scheme and use that to influence everything you buy. This will apply to everything from a fabric corner sofa to the curtains you hang at the windows.

Once you have an idea of your colour scheme, you can start looking for fabric swatches. You should be able to request a sample of all the swatches you like if you find a supplier online you’d like to use. This holds true for fabric sofas, curtains and many other items using fabrics as well. It is often difficult to get an accurate representation of a particular fabric online, so the swatches will help ensure you make the right choice in each case.

Using different textures of fabric

Of course, there is nothing wrong with being bold and introducing fabrics you may not have considered before. The main thing is not to introduce too many different patterns and colours into one room otherwise you’ll get a cluttered and busy feel that won’t be at all calming. This is why it makes sense to get those swatches because they will help you bring everything together so you can have the room – and indeed the home – you have always wanted. Don’t wait any longer – start transforming your home today.

Images via www.decor8blog.com + www.interiorholic.com