All about fabrics: A buyer’s guide to home textiles

With age, leather softens and develops its own unique character – just like an old pair of comfy jeans. Another type of leather, suede is softer with a velvety appearance. However, it stains easily and requires a lot of care.

• Wool: Another highly durable option, wool is thicker, drapes well and is very versatile. It resists pilling and staining, making it a good option for high traffic areas and households with children and pets. However, be careful of getting your wool blankets or rug wet as it can develop an odour that is difficult to get rid of.

Synthetic Fabrics

These manmade fabrics are created using chemical processes and synthetic fibres like polyester, acrylic, nylon. Synthetic fabrics tend to be stronger and more durable than 100% natural fabrics. However, their production is detrimental to the environment.  Since they contain chemicals, they might also be harmful to kids or those with conditions like skin allergies. The most common synthetic fabrics are:

• Polyester: The most popular fabric for home décor, it is very durable, soft and easy to clean. Usually, it is blended with natural or other synthetic fibres.

• Olefin: Another petroleum-based synthetic material is Olefin which is commonly used for upholstery. Similar in appearance to wool, this durable material is a good option for heavily used furniture.

• Rayon: It can imitate the look of different natural fabrics like silk, cotton and linen. It resists mildew but wrinkles easily.

• Acrylic: This fabric, often used as imitation wool, is easy to clean and is relatively stain and fade-resistant.

• Acetate: It imitates the look of silk and resists pilling, wrinkles, mildew and shrinking. It also stands up well to humidity. However, it does stain fairly easily.   

Blended Fabrics

There are quite a few fabrics that are made from a blend of natural and synthetic fibres, imparting advantages of both to the material. Some popular options for home décor are:

• Chenille: Chenille is made primarily of cotton fibres but can sometimes be blended with silk or wool as well as synthetic fibres like nylon, rayon and acrylic. It is extremely soft and a great option for items like chair upholstery, rugs, sofa throw or blankets. It has a soft drape and is durable, however, the woven material can shrink or stretch if not handled properly.   

• Velvet: With a soft drape, this woven and tufted fabric imparts a subtle sheen and is perfect for rich, heavy window drapes. Traditionally, it is made from silk fibres but it can also be made from cotton, wool or linen and blended with nylon, polyester or rayon. This fabric requires a lot of care; it is recommended to have it professionally cleaned.

• Wool and cotton blends: Both wool and cotton come in a wide variety of blends, usually with polyester and/or rayon fibres. These blends are stronger, easy to clean and resistant to fading, wrinkling, and wear and tear. While cotton is an advantageous fabric, more often than not, you will be looking at a cotton-polyester blend when it comes to home décor. Look at options that contain between 45% to 60% cotton fibres. 

Plain vs patterned fabrics

Available in a variety of weights, plain fabrics have one solid colour. You can choose from different finishes like a flat, matte look to a soft sheen to a rich plush. There are also many self-textured varieties which lend visual interest to the solid colour.

Usually, there are four ways to incorporate patterns in or on to fabrics – hand-block or digital printing, embroidering, embossing and weaving. Jacquards, brocades and damask are a few examples of woven fabrics. With Ikat fabrics, the yarns are dyed prior to weaving to create the patterns. 

Upholstery vs drapery: Choosing the right fabric

While there are no hard and fast rules about which fabrics to use, certain features of the textile make it more suitable for various areas. Upholstery for heavy use areas like dining chairs, sofas and headboards need a fabric that is heavier and thicker to withstand daily use, accidental spills and wear and tear. Delicate fabrics like silk can be used on sofas but are better suited for those that aren’t used regularly. Medium-weight and sheer fabrics are more suited for drapery like curtains or decorative items like cushions.  Also, keep in mind the climatic conditions like humidity. Home with young children and/or pets would need heavy-duty and easy to clean fabrics for upholstery and drapery.  

Design and styling tips for home furnishings

• With so many colours, finishes and textures to choose from, first figure out what décor style works for you. Maximal and opulent surroundings work well with rich fabrics like velvets and silk while a rustic or organic look is better achieved with natural fabrics like linen.

• If you are somebody who likes to constantly change the look of the room, a great way to do that is through colour. You could choose a muted or neutral shade for bigger and permanent features like sofas and headboards and change the smaller features like curtains, cushions, throws or table runners. Shades like beige and cool grey work well with both contrasting and complimenting colours, bold and subtle pastels, as well as plains and patterns.

• When looking at patterned fabrics, especially those with running patterns, keep in mind the pattern repeat (distance between two identical patterns) and scale (the size of each pattern). These design guidelines will help you choose a pattern that works best for the particular item. Mixing different patterns is also a great way to bring in visual interest.

Tips for maintaining home furnishings

Read our detailed guide on easily cleaning fabric surfaces in your home here.

Asian Paints has recently launched its own collection of well-designed India-made furniture, furnishing and lighting at the right price. There is something for every taste of home, and you can write to us at editorial@beautifulhomesindia.com to request a catalogue.