Home textiles: how to choose the fabrics to decorate

Types of fabrics and fabrics

Although we have a varied range in the classification of fabrics and types of fabrics , composition and cleaning. Among the different tissues, a distinction is made between its composition or raw material that forms it.

The types of fabric for decoration represent a great field in terms of versatility, not only in material, but also by the technology with which it is manufacture. Some of the fabrics most used in the home attending to the cleanliness of the fabrics that are effects are:

• Dry cleaning : They are some rich fabrics in silks, sophisticated and resistant for upholstery or curtains such as brocades (silver or gold threads), moiré (water-shaped satin silk) or chintz (satin cotton with one side polished with resin).
• Hand wash : They are the most delicate and some stand out for their rustic appearance, such as the hessian (jute or tow), for curtains such as batista (cotton or linen), tulle (mesh made of yarn or cotton), native to China as shantung fabric (wild silk irregular) or toile de Joly with historical stamped scenes and literary (linen or cotton).
• Iron at low temperature : distinguished on their labeling by the symbol of the plate with a single point on some fabrics such as corduroy (velvet with weft), flannel (thick wool ideal for upholstery), tweed (wool soft with houndstooth and color flecks) or tartan (wool in Scottish square shape).
• Machine wash : Are the fabrics for home more resistant to washing such as chenille (very common in upholstery and with a velvety), Ottoman (thick shiny silk), piqué (cotton with geometric patterns in relief).

And the classification of textile fibers we can see them in the following table:

Using healthy fabrics in home textiles ensures the health of people by integrating fibers into its composition green instead of dyes with toxic substances.

Differences between natural fibers and artificial or synthetic

I would like to clarify that both manufactured fibers (artificial and synthetic) as the natural ones have significant differences. The following scheme compares the two types of fabrics:

The most substantial difference or, rather, the biggest problem important, we find it in natural tissues if they are Used in humid spaces or outdoors! They degrade! before! For example, screen blinds with polyester fabric or fiberglass can be used in the bathroom or kitchen, without problems.

Buying Tips fabrics

Use a certain number of complementary patterns and colors in fabrics, you can create a harmony between the different areas of a room and give continuity to the stays in home. We leave a few tips and ideas to decorate with fabric:

1.- Decorate with fabrics coordinates

Geometric designs, stripes, drawings and patterns solid colors can work together to brighten up a room stylish and attractive. Fabric manufacturers facilitate their coordination when designing groups of drawings, different fabric prints and complementary solid colors that can be used in any combination.

If you want to decide on the coordinations, it is advisable unroll the fabrics and compare them on both sides with light natural. Examine fabrics from various angles to judge the design and color compatibility.

2.- Always choose the same fabric roll

Fabric rolls usually come in bundles with different dyes, be careful!... To avoid problems with slight color variations or differences in drawing printing, you have to buy the fabrics for a single roll creation. If we make a curtain or roller blind, it is essential! because of the size.

Check patterned fabrics to make sure they are printed on the straight thread, this is valid for the entire range of decorative fabrics that we can use.

3.- Ask for samples of fabrics in the stores

You have to take into account the place where the fabric is going to be used and how it will blend with the other fabrics in the room. So you have to compare!

Most stores have clippings or samples of the fabrics that she sells for decor. Sometimes they let you take it for a period of time. short time, this option will give the opportunity to see the fabric in contrast to the others and to the light in the house, which can be very different from the one in the store.

If it is not possible to acquire a sample of fabrics complete, it is advisable to request a sample of the roll or buy a small piece before making the investment in a larger fabric cut.

4.- Advice on choosing colors of the fabrics

Now it is time to give some useful advice in the choice of the colors on the fabrics , be useful for not waste time or spend money in a way coherent:

• The colors that already exist in a room. When go buy the fabric, a trick is to take a small piece of the room's paint and a sample of the carpet or a small cushion, if any.
• The wood tones in the room. Colors of the fabric can enhance the tones and richness of the wood.
• Color affects mood. pastel tones, neutrals and cold ones, like blues and some greens are painkillers. Bright tones and warm colors, such as reds and yellows tend to stimulate. Colors dark colors create a cozy atmosphere.

• Colors alter perceptions. These seem more dark in contrast to those on the light background, and lighter compared to dark surfaces. The warm colors do objects appear larger, while with cool colors seem to recede. In general, one should avoid use strong colors in small rooms. We recommend reviewing the article on 11 tricks and ideas for paint walls you have forgotten where there are several tips about color in rooms.
• Keep in mind the layout of the room. Maybe you want to heat a cold room with warm tones or cool down a hot room with light blue tones.
• Dirt stands out more on light tones than on the dark ones.
• In the windows, pale colors diffuse the light, while the dark ones obstruct it. It is advised to keep a length of cloth in the sunlight to see if it achieves the desired effect.
• Also remember that color absorbs heat, especially all dark tones. In the following image we can see how it affects a fabric:

Lastly, and most importantly, consider preferences personal. It is a matter of applying these tips and your own tastes to choose the colors and designs of the fabrics that they beautify the home and reflect the personal style.

As a note, from the article on color in architecture you will see an App that will help you identify and save the color that you like in an easy way with a simple photo.

5.- How to measure to make some curtains

We want to emphasize how to calculate the fabric for curtains that we need in the house since in many cases it is literally a nightmare if we we made a mistake, so we added a video that explains it to the detail.

6.- Textile apps to help in decoration

Thanks to technology we already have different tools and applications in the style of Textile Apps that we will help you organize or determine the best fabric for our room. The different applications textiles to decorate that we recommend and that have Spanish version are:

• To organize the fabrics with the app from CoraApp. Is Simple to use and in Spanish (Only Iphone). you take one photo, upload it and add the type of fabric, measurements, colors, Where did you buy it, for which interior design project? do you want…etc Useful if you work with a lot of fabric patterns different.
• A good textile encyclopedia. It is a App textil in 3D and in Spanish that has received different awards with more than 500 references and all kinds of information, we talk about Textilae. possibly more aimed at professionals and you have to buy it, but from then, it's amazing!