Guide to Room Fabrics

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Fabrics for Texture and Dimension

Walls define the shape and form of your room, but it's your room fabrics that give it texture and dimension. Often, they also define the mood of the place. A change in room fabrics can completely change the way your room looks and feels-whether for better or for worse.
Unfortunately, choosing room fabrics is tougher than it sounds. Your curtains, drapes, upholstery, and area rugs should all work together to create a theme that goes with the rest of your décor. If all the options are leaving you confused, here's a quick guide to help you make the right choice.

Window Treatments

When choosing window treatments, think in terms of light. Curtains affect the amount and quality of light that comes in, and therefore the overall mood and style. The basic rule is to put darker curtains over bright rooms and lighter ones to brighten up a dark room. The best curtains are those that give you a lot of control over the brightness-thick but loosely woven fabrics usually work best. However, for smaller windows, it's best to stick to light fabrics to maximize the incoming light.

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Furniture Covers

You have two main choices when it comes to furniture fabrics: upholstery and slip covers. Upholstery is the more popular choice and may even be used underneath an additional drape. Your first consideration here should be durability. Furniture fabrics get a lot of wear, and you want to make sure they're up to the task. Leather upholstery is no doubt the best choice, but it doesn't offer much variety. What you can do is invest in good leather upholstery and buy a variety of cheaper slip covers, which you can mix and match anytime.

Carpeting

Not all homes are suitable for full carpeting. Carpets usually work best for large, high-traffic rooms with heavy furniture, as they absorb impact and minimize everyday wear. Wool carpets are the most durable and are recommended for living rooms and entertainment rooms. If you have kids, consider getting separate kids area rugs to absorb spills and reduce the mess. Don't be afraid to go for bright colors such as red or pink area rugs-if they clash with your décor, you can simply roll them up after use.

Must-have Rugs to Boost any Space

Eclipse 67013 Brown Area Rug
A stunning jacquard pattern rug ideal for a modern décor setting.
Funky 2439 Mid Brown Rug
A contemporary brown stripe rug with a subtle and attractive look that won't overpower your room.
Serenity 1001 Gold
This beautiful 3 color blend of golden hues rug gives any room a sense of elegance.

Area Rugs

If wall-to-wall carpeting isn't an option, area rugs are the best alternative. You can use area rugs to pad your furniture, break up a large room, or create a center of focus. Match the décor theme of your room-contemporary area rugs for modern homes, oriental area rugs for classic or traditional designs. If you're feeling trendy, a popular trend is to go natural: area rugs made from high-quality natural fibers. Wool area rugs and seagrass area rugs are some of the best options.

Putting it all Together

It's important for your room fabrics to look good together and create a unified theme. Otherwise, your room will be a mess of patterns and colors. If you have a theme in mind, make sure all your fabrics contribute to it. Bamboo or jute area rugs work great for Zen-style homes, while modern area rugs complement the sleek look of postmodern designs. Plan out your fabrics before making any purchases, and you're sure to have a stylish new room in no time!

More Sensible Home Décor Ideas!

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Blogs About Room Fabrics

New York Fashion Week Fall 2012: Thom Browne's Tim Burton moment
The showing of Thom Browne's fall and winter 2012 women's collection started with a eulogy delivered before a row of 10 open, coffin-like boxes, each occupied by a gray-suited model whose face and and hands were covered in gauzy white fabric.
Designing woman
With a splash of color on the walls, or accenting the room with stylish and colorful furnishings, it's the easiest way to design on a budget. "The easiest change without a lot of money is paint on the walls," she said. A color pulled from the fabrics ...
Benarasi babu weaves magic
And he surveys a lot in his crowded little room, overflowing with fabrics, sarees, materials, furnishings, stoles and shawls. We have to be careful not to step on any of these, before we find a clearing to sit in, cross legged.

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