What is the first thing you see when you look at a sofa? Is it the frame? Probably not. Is it the style? Maybe. Is it the fabric? Almost always.
Your fabric can either make or break a room. Many decisions must be made before you are able to come to a conclusion on what type of fabric to use in your home. You must first decide whether you prefer a certain color, style or if you will be blending in an inspirational piece that has been passed down to you as a family heirloom.
Fabric makes a statement on furniture, over windows or wherever it appears. It is often believed that the fabric content determines how a fabric will wear, but it is actually the weave of the fabric that helps determine this. Manmade fabrics are popular choices and are very classic and elegant, but natural fabrics are much easier to maintain and are also more resilient. Certain blends may be selected to receive the best of both worlds.
The new trends in fabric are represented through cryton fabrics and outdoor fabrics, which are commonly used inside recreation rooms and sunrooms. Since outdoor entertaining has become so popular, many consumers tend to look at fabrics that will withstand the outdoor elements in a suitable manner. There is also a new trend to use faux suedes, faux leathers and faux silks. Sometimes it is impossible to notice the difference between the real fabric and the faux fabric.
Contrary to popular belief, you can use a combination of several fabrics in each room of your home. One used to assume that you could only use a total of 3 fabrics in any given room. Now the trend is to use as many as you desire, as long as there is an even flow in the room. Take a look inside your closet. It is often a good indicator that what you wear is also what you want your home to reflect.
Fabrics can make statements through patterns, prints, stripes, plaids, solids, textures and colors. You may use trims to add accents to furniture, pillows or window treatments. After all, trim is considered the “jewelry” of the finished piece.
In choosing the right fabrics for your home, do what is comfortable for you. The ultimate goal is to walk away happy with the decisions that you have made. If you change your mind in the future, it is just as easy to go back and re-define your home by choosing another fabric to represent your new preference or personal style.