Fabrics and textile elements in interior design

What role does textile play in interior design?

Textile design is used not only to decorate the house, but also from a practical point of view. The use of textiles is due to its advantages:

• Makes the space “complete”. Without fabrics, the renovation in the room seems unfinished.
• Creates a cozy atmosphere. Being surrounded by pillows, blankets and curtains, you feel more comfortable.
• Transforms the room. The same room with different textiles will look completely different.

The photo shows a modern version of a carpet on the wall

The role of textiles in the interior is difficult to overestimate, so if you want to create a harmonious space, be sure to use textile elements.

What types of fabrics are used in the interior?

Any textile design begins with fabrics, which in turn are natural and synthetic.

Cotton

Eco-friendly composition, pleasant texture, durability, ease of care, a huge selection of colors make cotton an ideal option as a textile for any room. Natural cotton is used to sew curtains, pillowcases, bedding, do wall decoration, and upholster furniture.

The photo shows the colors of natural cotton

Linen

As a rule, textiles made from linen fibers have natural shades – beige, gray, light yellow, yellow-green. Linen is used for sewing bed linen, decorative pillowcases, tablecloths, and curtains.

See examples of using linen curtains in the interior.

Wool

An interesting texture has every chance of becoming an accent in the interior. Bedspreads, blankets, and even pillowcases made from yarn will complement a bedroom or living room. And natural carpets last much longer than artificial textiles.

Rogozhka

If your goal is to create a texture in textile design close to cotton or linen, but at the same time choose a more practical fabric, give preference to rogozhka. Thanks to strong fibers, the fabric wrinkles less, is easier to clean and lasts longer.

Among the large selection of shades and textures, it is easy to find one that suits the desired interior style. The burlap is suitable for any purpose: from upholstery to sewing pillowcases.

The photo shows the texture of burlap

Chenille

A unique fabric: soft and textured at the same time. Chenille is very durable, so it is most often used in furniture manufacturing. Although it is also suitable for curtains or bedspreads.

Jacquard

Durable, but exquisite fabrics are preferred by fans of classic, palace styles. A jacquard sofa and complex curtains look equally good.

Velvet

Velvet occupies a separate line in textile design: its pleasant fleecy texture in combination with deep shades has been used in interior design for a long time.

In a modern apartment, velvet furniture, curtains, pillows add a touch of luxury to the design.

In the photo, emerald velvet

Velour

Unlike velvet, velour has a lesser touch of elegance, but a wider range of colours, including simple light, complex deep and bright saturated tones. The scope of application is the same: furniture, decor, curtains.

Flock

One of the few interior textile options whose texture is achieved not by weaving, but by means of pile spraying. Thanks to this technology, flock is not afraid of snags and is often used in apartments with animals. Suitable for upholstery, accessories.

Tapestry

A special place in the list of textiles is woven fabric with a beautiful pattern. Tapestry was popular at the end of the 20th century, but today it is again bursting into textile design as furniture upholstery or fabric for various items (from pillows to bedspreads).

The photo shows a classic tapestry

How is it used in decoration?

Surprisingly, textiles are not only carpets and sofa cushions. In some cases, fabric wallpaper and ceilings are used.

Wallpaper

Want to add a twist to your interior? Pay attention to textile wallpaper: fabric walls, of course, will not fit into any interior, but in the right setting they look very harmonious.

Due to the high price, such wallpaper is chosen mainly by wealthy people. In addition to the cost, fabric wallpaper has other disadvantages – it requires great care when gluing, requires special care, and tends to accumulate dust (like any textile).

Stretch textile ceilings

If a regular PVC ceiling is not suitable for some reason, do not give up on the idea of a stretch ceiling altogether: some manufacturers have fabric sheets that are attached to the ceiling using the same principle.

Advantages of textile sheets over PVC:

• Safety. Yes, they are based on synthetic materials, but not as harmful as in the film.
• Durability. Even if a child’s ball accidentally flies towards the ceiling, nothing terrible will happen to the covering.
• Air permeability. Textiles do not interfere with air circulation, mold never forms under them.

The only drawback is the price. Like wallpaper, ceilings are more expensive than standard analogues.

The photo shows a fabric ceiling with a floral print

Use in decorative elements

Finishing is the exception rather than the rule. The main component of textile design is still considered to be decor.

Curtains

Due to the fact that this detail is found in almost every room, including the bathroom, curtains are considered the basis of textile interior design.

Application options:

• On windows. There are many ways to decorate openings: tulle, curtains, Roman – we will consider them a little later.
• In the bathroom. Oilcloth as a curtain for the bathroom has long been out of fashion – modern designers choose special fabrics with water-repellent impregnations.
• Instead of doors and partitions. Zoning a room or closing a closet – curtains are appropriate in any capacity.

Types of curtains:

1. Classic curtains. Symmetrical or asymmetrical, short or long, thick or light – sliding curtains are most often found in houses.
2. Roman. Short, laconic lifting curtains are usually used in kitchens or on windows where long curtains are not suitable.
3. Austrian. Straight hanging fabric with folds along the bottom line. They look best in flowing transparent fabrics.
4. French. Similar to the previous ones, but the folds are made along the entire length.
5. Japanese. Will appeal to those who appreciate simple forms. They do not have folds, consist of several straight panels. Resemble wide vertical blinds.
6. Cafe. Short curtains that cover only the lower half of the window. Combine with rustic or ethnic design trends.
7. Roller. Another option for a laconic design: the curtain is presented as a straight piece of fabric, wound onto a sleeve using a special device.

Screens

One of the stylish ways to zone the space is a partition. Firstly, it can be rearranged or folded. Secondly, the screen can be absolutely anything, which simplifies its combination with furniture, curtains, and decoration.

Carpets

The easiest way to create coziness is to lay a carpet on the floor. It can be large or small, with short or long pile, knitted wool or woven.

A carpet is one of the most popular materials in textile design. They are used in all rooms:

• Bedroom. It is advisable to use a large size that will fit a bed, nightstands, and other nearby items. An alternative is two small runners along each edge.
• Living room. Minimum dimensions – so that all upholstered furniture stands on the rug with its front legs. Ideal – when the furniture stands on the carpet completely.

Important! It is not advisable to take up all the free space with a carpet – this technique makes the room visually smaller.

• Kitchen. It is better not to cover the floor in the work area (carpet is more difficult to care for than a smooth surface). But in the dining area, a carpet will be appropriate.
• Children’s room. Children love to play on the floor – a carpet will protect them from hypothermia and impacts.
• Bathroom. To avoid standing barefoot on cold tiles, lay a small rug near the bathtub or shower. It will also absorb excess moisture.

Kitchen utensils

Textiles in the kitchen should not only be beautiful, but also functional. When choosing potholders, towels, tablecloths, table runners, napkins, remember – they should wash well and perform their main function. For example, a stylish but thin potholder is of no use.

The photo shows a serving set: runner + napkins

Blankets, bedspreads, pillows

Experienced designers say: you can never have too many pillows! You can use them not only on the sofa: on the bed, armchairs, chairs, pillows look no less impressive.

Textile design is impossible without the “other half” of pillows: a blanket or bedspread. Moreover, if in the living room they are used mainly to be able to wrap yourself up while sitting in an armchair or on a sofa, then in the bedroom they also have a decorative function, determining how the made bed will look.

The photo shows a variant of the arrangement of pillows on the bed

Furniture upholstery

Textiles are inextricably linked with upholstered furniture. And this is the very case when it will not be easy to change something – after all, reupholstering a sofa is much more difficult than changing a pillowcase. Therefore, when choosing a sofa, armchair or headboard, approach the decision responsibly.

Be sure to look at the recommendations for choosing the material for sofa upholstery.

Bed linen

An important component of the bedroom interior is bed linen. Fortunately, its choice is not limited to colors, patterns or textures. Even if you can’t find the right set in the store, you can always have it made to order.

Check out tips on choosing the size of bed linen.

Stylistic features

Textiles change from era to era, from direction to direction. Let’s look at the most striking examples.

Small blue, pink, yellow flowers are mainly used in rustic styles (for example, Provence) or vintage. Textiles with large floral prints are typical for the classical, empire, and baroque styles.

Geometry, in particular a cage, is a favorite technique in the country style. Dark checkered textiles (tartan, glen check, argyle) are used in classic English interiors.

Retro style also gravitates toward geometry in textiles, but in addition to checkered patterns and stripes, you can also find abstract designs here.

The photo shows a living room in retro style

The modern trend, in turn, uses a little bit of everything in textiles, skillfully combining stripes with floristry, and a checkered pattern with plain companions.

The photo shows a modern living room with a checkered carpet

Recommendations for use in the interior

How can we add textiles to each individual room?

Textiles in the living room

This room should be warm and cozy, so there are practically no restrictions on the use of textiles:

• carpet on the floor;
• curtains on windows;
• pillows on armchairs and sofas;
• blankets in baskets.

In ethnic styles, such as boho or scandi, you can add a tapestry or carpet to the wall – they are back in fashion!

Kitchen textiles

Decorate without decorating: choose a beautiful tablecloth, napkins, towels, potholders, aprons – place them in prominent places and notice how the design has transformed from average to exquisite.

Textiles in the bedroom

The bedroom is another room that can be completely made up of textiles. From fabric wallpaper and thick blackout curtains on the window, to cute pillows, white or colored bed linen, bright bedspreads, a carpet on the floor.

Textiles in the bathroom

Strangely enough, even in the bathroom textiles play an important role. Contrasting towels, rugs, and robes can serve as decor. But the curtain deserves special attention – refuse polyethylene curtains, they look cheap: order a curtain made of fabric with water-repellent impregnation. It looks like ordinary textile, but is absolutely not afraid of water.

Do not neglect textiles – fabrics set the dynamics, enliven and decorate. In addition, they can be changed every season, transforming the space to suit your mood.