Although it is one of the most common materials found in any residential and commercial space, fabric is arguably the most underrated component of interior design. Despite being one of the primary elements, fabric still trails behind furniture, lighting, and others.
But this doesn't change the fact that fabric is a crucial factor in the entire design. Not only does it add color, but it also brings in a combination of texture and patterns that could liven up any room. Fabric also helps reflect personality in any room - something that is considered crucial for both homes and commercial spaces.
4 Ways to Use Fabric in Interior Design
Sometimes, fabrics can become an afterthought when designing or decorating a space. People may see them as the cherry on top of the cake rather than a necessary component, like batter, so to speak. The truth, however, is that fabric is like the icing on the interior design cake - not only does it enhance the aesthetics, but it is also useful in making the design work.
Here are four clever ways to incorporate fabrics and make sure that the space you're designing comes out just the way you want it to:
1. Place Textiles on the Wall as Art Accents
Most of the time, fine textiles are made into throw pillows, linens, and blankets - all of which can stand alone. However, it is quite unusual for this type of material to be used on walls as decorations.
Despite being rare, using textiles as a part of your wall décor and artwork is a creative way of bringing out a room's aesthetic. It can be used as an accent to a painting or even the center of visual design. An excellent example of this is hanging a lovely scarf or tapestry on the wall of the living room where guests can appreciate its beauty.
2. Use a Big Piece of Fabric as a Giant Rug
When it comes to the floor and fabric, the first thing that may come to mind is a carpet. However, there are other ways you can use cloth in enhancing the aesthetic of your floor, including placing giant rugs.
Luckily, you can create your own giant rug by cutting out a large piece of fabric. For this project, you will need a piece of upholstery textile, a rug mat, some pins, a pair of scissors, and your trusty sewing machine.
After trimming the rug mat and the fabric to the same size, you can start folding the latter over to create a seam of about one inch. After that, cut corners diagonally to help the fabric fit over the mat, and sew around the perimeter to seal it in.
3. Craft Roman Shades Using Mini-Blinds and Fabric
Although curtains may probably be the first thing that comes to mind when dealing with privacy, there's another type of window cover you can try: Roman shades. This type of window covering can block out the sun. These differ from the standard window shade because they stack up more evenly compared to vertical blinds.
To make your own Roman shade, you would need about two yards of your chosen fabric and one-inch mini blinds (white). May also use two yards of heavyweight cotton or linen to line your Roman shades, but this is completely optional. You would also need a flat iron to create beautiful lines on your fabric and achieve a neat effect once they are attached to the mini blinds.
4. Create an Indoor Canopy Using Dyed Fabric
Dyeing fabrics has been a popular method for creating unique interior decorations. For this particular piece, you would need plain fabric, textile dye, your creativity, and some artisan dying techniques, such as the shibori technique and arashi method.
To use the shape-resist shibori technique, you must first fold the fabric like an accordion. Next, fold it again in a different direction in the same manner and place it over wood or any flat object before binding all of it together. You can use rubber bands of varying thickness to create a unique, artistic effect on the fabric.
For the arashi method, you need to wrap the fabric diagonally in a piece of PVC pipe. After that, tie a piece of twine along its base and start bringing it around the fabric-wrapped pipe six to seven times before tugging it down to create a scrunch. Repeat this until the entire length of the textile has been scrunched before dipping into the dye.
After doing either of these in a large piece of fabric and letting the dye set, you're ready to create a canopy that is perfect for giving a space an airy and clean feel.
Complete Your Interior with High-Quality Fabric
When designing a space, make sure you understand the different elements necessary to make it work. Fabrics can help create an interior design that not only appeals to the eye, but also serves a purpose.
How do you use fabric to take your space to the next level? Let us know in the comments.
AUTHOR BIOJames Prathap is the General Manager at NGC Nafees, top importers and exporters of wallpapers, flooring and fabric in the Middle East. Formed three decades ago, the business also offers high-quality panoramics, coordinated fabrics, and creative stickers for residential and commercial projects.
