Your interior decoration is made up of main elements, such as your furniture (which you might have already bought from nyfurnitureoutlets.com), and smaller, less visible elements, often considered secondary but which are in reality, of great importance. 

Indeed, these represent the elements that bring character to your decoration, give it style and personality, but also participate in structuring the space. For such purposes, there is nothing better than textiles and items made of fabric, which, used in multiple forms, allow one to play with the colors, the materials, the patterns, and the decorative formats in general. 

Textiles also bring warmth and comfort to any interior, because they are called “living” materials, which provide a feeling of well-being and make the place more welcoming. Finally, they make it possible to create contrasting atmospheres and soften a distinct style, for example.

Did you know that textiles can be used in many forms, depending on your desires and aesthetic tastes? But how can one use it to reinvent their interior decoration, illuminate and cheer up an atmosphere?

Textile in your Interior Design and What You Should Consider

How to properly use textiles

Among the ancient, semi-ancient tribal textiles and contemporary fabrics which remain faithful to traditional know-how, we can first distinguish the textiles of nomads and semi-nomads which combine utilitarian and decorative functions. 

They are found in wool textiles, made in the technique of flat weaving:

• kilims (knotless carpet),
• wall hangings,
• blankets,
• animal blankets (made of horse or camel fur),
• animal furs (camel, donkey, etc.),
• decorated bands used as ropes to mount the yurt,
• bands decorated with brocades (decorative frieze for the interior of the yurt), etc.

Other natural, tribal textiles are made in the technique of boiled wool, cotton, or velvet: these include carpets and the embroidered wall hangings. In the culture of these native tribes, you can also find cotton quilts, in the form of wall hangings or mirror coverings.

There are also textiles you can find in urban workshops, in materials as diverse as velvet, brocade, satin, silk, silk-embroidered cotton, and embroidered linen, accessories (hats, belts, etc.), clothing (coats, dresses), embroidered wall hangings, cushions, quilted fabrics with silk appliques, bedspreads.

For the use of these fabrics, give free rein to your imagination and find the one that suits the size, the material, and the color you like. Do not hesitate to divert them from their initial function: the possibilities are endless. If the use of such fabrics requires scissors, it is better to use damaged fabrics or new fabrics loaded with no history.

As an example, here are some things you could do with a thrifted textile:

1. A silk ikat or a horse blanket will make very beautiful wall decorations.
2. Lined textiles can be used as curtains, upholster a bench or an armchair.
3. Belts, decorated bands used as ropes or bands decorated with brocades to mount the yurt will make original tiebacks.
4. Unusual curtains are perfect for wall decoration, but can also be used as a sofa throw or a bedspread.
5. Large camel bags can be used as an ottoman, seat or decorative trunk, while small donkey bags will be perfect as cushions.
6. Square or rectangular fabrics and embroidery, associated with a piece of cotton/linen/silk will make superb cushions.
7. With the help of old, ethnic clothes, you can dress a mannequin, while a collection of hats on a dresser can give an original decorative touch.
8. Mirror covers will be perfect as small window curtains.

The advantages of decorative fabrics

Textiles physically add warmth to the decoration, resulting in a feeling of comfort and well-being that makes the place more welcoming. Traditional “paintings” on textiles and unique pieces with different colors, patterns, and styles depending on the country of origin create a special atmosphere and bring real originality to your decoration, and reinforce the acoustics of a room.

Which fabric should be added in every room of the house?

Some materials are more resistant than others. For hand-woven ethnic textiles, choose cotton and wool. 

However, the resistance of the materials is also linked to the thickness of the yarn used, the structure of the weaving, and the use made of it! For light use, in the bedroom or the office, give preference to such materials. 

The preferred materials for a sofa throw are natural and not harsh textiles (cotton, linen). 

On the other hand, there are no rules for curtains, walls, and common use. Everything depends on the desired “effect”: airy or heavy – the only thing is to find ones with colorful patterns.

Match the materials and colors of the fabrics

The only rule to respect is that of not betraying yourself – associate materials and colors in line with your personality. You have to identify “your style”: traditional, classic, Scandinavian, vintage, bohemian chic, natural, ethnic, mixed, etc.

Then, you can consciously introduce new associations of different types of materials. Concerning colors, you can either play on the gradations of color, choose a color with different assorted patterns, or play on the contrast of up to three colors.

You can choose a decoration totally in “your style”, or to decide to play on a subtle contrast of the “styles” such as, for example, a sofa or an old armchair covered with a silk ikat, or an associated refined modern decoration to an ethnic curtain.

How to preserve your textiles?

Fabric items must be protected from direct sunlight, otherwise, all the cheery colors will fade. Plus, paper of neutral pH or undyed natural textile can be used as a support to protect the back of the item. 

On the other hand, some tribal textiles that are too bright in color will benefit from being exposed to the sun, as the colors will become less contrasting.

All in all, fabrics and textiles are essential for decorating an interior. Indeed, they provide a feeling of comfort and well-being which makes the place more welcoming. 

On the aesthetic level, they allow you to bring real originality to your decoration, to create a unique and personalized atmosphere. Finally, from a practical point of view, they allow you to follow trends for both your interior and your exterior, without modifying your overall decoration.

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