Home ► Article Library ► Home, Garden & Building

Finding the Right Fabric for Home Improvement

For common people having a roof on top of their head is already a privilege, they value simple things in life that gives them comfort and safety. If they would be given a chance to expand their opportunities in upgrading their shelter they would surely take the lead. Home improvements or renovations are mesmerizing but exhausting. It would surely squeeze your ideas and finances. This type of home improvement needs much manpower, passion and structural plan.

Home improvement somehow starts with the furniture followed by home accessories, although fabrics come last it should be on top priority since they complete the overall output of the project.

Tips for finding the best fabric

Make a list - This is an effective way of narrowing down the cost and planning what type of fabric would be better. Making comparisons of the fabric properties would also be better so you can decide what fabric to get.
Calculate the cost and analyse the features - Expenses before and after the home improvement are significant for homeowners who has a limited budget. Questions like how much it will cost you to clean, maintain, and repair them in the future need definite answers. Think of it this way, if you pay the high surcharge because of the high-quality material but it pays back because you would less effort in maintaining it for many years to come rather than buying substandard material but you would constantly pay expenses for repair and maintenance. When you are in doubt, feel free to ask experts of even designers what would be the best material for you.

Try before you purchase - This is a smart move. One way for you not to feel disappointed about the fabric you purchase is that you have to try it beforehand. If you fall in love with a piece of fabric that’s not shown on the floor, you can ask for a sample and you can drape it on the furnishing to get bet better idea of how it would look like. This might be extra work but you would eventually like the idea especially if you are working on a budget.

Don’t forget to consider the piece itself - When looking for fabric upholstery; make sure you are considering the furniture shape or structure. For instance, if the furniture has a unique curve using solid fabric would be ideal. Patterns with distinctive directions may not be good to upholster. Pattern fabric may look great on the bolt but once it is chopped and being drape in the sofa it might not look okay particularly with ornate shape.

Go for dark-coloured neutrals - Having children and pets at home may be challenging in deciding what fabric colour to choose. The somehow dark coloured fabric would be the wise option to avoid showing off the stains. Try out these colours too: grey, beige, taupe or mocha makes the stains inconspicuous.

Consider the materials - There are three main types of fabric upholstery such as natural, synthetic and blends. Researching the type of fabrics before buying it is one way of being resourceful.

Design - Fabric and furniture should be harmonious or in unison with each other to have a peaceful and calm look. For example, if you are into the traditional fabric you should match it with a traditional style frame. Some fabrics appear to be casual so it would be a magnificent choice for casual contemporary room. Choose a fabric that represents your style and mood. Moreover, a large bold pattern fabric works best in a larger room while smaller muted patterns are better for smaller ones.

Different fabrics for your home

Since fabrics are categorized into three groups namely natural, synthetic and blends. Let’s check out most of their characteristics and the benefits they could offer.

Natural Fabric Types and Synthetic Fabric types

Natural upholstery fabrics are woven from materials found in nature. It includes plant fibres and materials derived from animal products.

Wool: a natural fibre produced by sheep. It forms a group of wavy fibres called staples. The elasticity of the fabric is due to its natural wave. It feels soft in the skin and provides a dual effect. Wool can keep things cool and keeps things in warm.

Cotton: derived from the fibres surrounding the cotton plant. It is commonly used as bed sheets, blankets and duvet for home décor but nowadays it becomes sought after for upholstery pieces. It is an environmentally friendly material because it’s biodegradable and doesn’t contribute to other pollution. Same as wool it provides softness but at the same time durability.

Leather: They are made from animal skin. Fine leather upholstery used to be found in the residence of the riches. Today, because of the advantages of the technology they have grown tremendously. Leather is superior to other upholstery fabric. It will not tear and very resistance to sun damage.

Linen: The furniture covered with linen fabric will not show evidence of wear for a long period because they are extremely strong and has longevity. They can resist stains and easier to maintain or clean. They are luxurious look which can boost the image of your abode.

Silk: Silk adds royal effect for furniture. Silk linen, silk shantung, silk dupioni are types of silk commonly used for upholstery. They are recommended for people who have allergies. Its durability is exceptional but it shouldn’t be exposed to sunlight because the fibre could be damaged. This delicate fabric is only for formal places such as formal living rooms. It must be professionally cleaned if soiled.

Vinyl: A fabric used as a substitute for leather. They are available for both classics and modern furniture styles. It may not be as durable as leather but if it’s properly cared it would last for many years. Furthermore, it is cheaper than leather so homeowners with a tight budget can take advantage of it.

Chenille fabric – it’s the French word for ‘” caterpillar”. Chenille is produced out from natural fabric but it can also be made from synthetics like rayon. They are versatile and can be woven to give smoother surface or with a chunky textural look.

Microfiber: This fabric has aesthetic qualities with great durability and very resistant to moisture. They are particularly suitable for a casual living room. This fabric is also affordable and recommended for people on a budget.

Polyester: it is a synthetic fabric that works best with every material. Polyester is a sometimes combined with velvet that results to resistant to fading, wrinkling and pilling.

Nylon: it is common synthetic upholstery that has great capacity in complimenting with every home décor pieces. If it’s blended with other materials it can provide soil-and wrinkle resistance and can stand up for a long period.

Having a home signifies family and symbolizes love. Having your own space is something we look forward to. We have been working hard every day to pay bills and provide food on our table and seeing all the fruit of your labour makes us satisfied especially when we see our loved ones getting comfortable and enjoying the pieces of home décor in our residences. It is just right to find the best of the best fabrics that surround our family members; which reminds us how to keep going every day.