Decorating
Decorating: 9 Ways to Enrich Your Space With Textiles
Dare to go beyond the usual throws, cushions and rugs and get creative with fabric in your home
Textiles add depth and texture to a room, as well as colour and – if you choose it – a huge choice of pattern. And they can do so much more than grace cushions: think walls, bedheads and even artworks. Whether you use them to section off an area, update furniture or change the mood of a room, layering a range of fabrics can add warmth, interest and even functionality to your home. To get your creative juices flowing, here are some easy ways to use textiles to transform a space.
Get in on the tepee trend
The popular kids’ tepee is a no-brainer for bringing playful textiles into your home. There are many great ready-made versions on the market – like this contemporary chevron-patterned tent – as well as plenty of easy DIY instructions online to help you make your own using the fabric of your choice.
The result can be so good-looking, there’s no need to confine your tepee to the kids’ room…
Explore more fun spaces for children
The popular kids’ tepee is a no-brainer for bringing playful textiles into your home. There are many great ready-made versions on the market – like this contemporary chevron-patterned tent – as well as plenty of easy DIY instructions online to help you make your own using the fabric of your choice.
The result can be so good-looking, there’s no need to confine your tepee to the kids’ room…
Explore more fun spaces for children
Energise a minimal scheme
Love fashionable prints, such as ikats, but aren’t sure how to make them work in a pared-down home? Take inspiration from this minimal room, where the owners have stuck to simple furniture, but upholstered the backs of these two chairs in a vibrant print. The seats add fun and energy without making the space too busy.
Love fashionable prints, such as ikats, but aren’t sure how to make them work in a pared-down home? Take inspiration from this minimal room, where the owners have stuck to simple furniture, but upholstered the backs of these two chairs in a vibrant print. The seats add fun and energy without making the space too busy.
Cosy up with a room-dividing curtain
For me, there’s little cosier than being able to pull a thick curtain across the middle of a room – it divides up a multi-use space and also makes the area you’re in feel smaller and more homely. What could make your bed feel more like a peaceful retreat than pulling a curtain on the day as you retire?
For me, there’s little cosier than being able to pull a thick curtain across the middle of a room – it divides up a multi-use space and also makes the area you’re in feel smaller and more homely. What could make your bed feel more like a peaceful retreat than pulling a curtain on the day as you retire?
Frame vintage fabric mementos
A display of meaningful keepsakes, like this pretty collection of vintage handkerchiefs, adds even more personality to your home. Other ideas to try include framing your baby’s first outfit or pair of shoes, or creating a patchwork of fabric swatches from the key textiles used on your wedding day.
A display of meaningful keepsakes, like this pretty collection of vintage handkerchiefs, adds even more personality to your home. Other ideas to try include framing your baby’s first outfit or pair of shoes, or creating a patchwork of fabric swatches from the key textiles used on your wedding day.
Warm up your walls
I’m partial to textile-covered walls and the luxurious, artistic feel they give a space. If you don’t want to commit to a whole room, try a feature wall, like the one in this cosy living room, which features a grasscloth wallcovering that adds layers of subtle colour.
Keen to see more fabric-covered walls? Check out the vibrant choice in this Scottish flat
I’m partial to textile-covered walls and the luxurious, artistic feel they give a space. If you don’t want to commit to a whole room, try a feature wall, like the one in this cosy living room, which features a grasscloth wallcovering that adds layers of subtle colour.
Keen to see more fabric-covered walls? Check out the vibrant choice in this Scottish flat
Create a hideaway area
A bolt of beautiful fabric can hide a multitude of sins. Here, a utility room can be accessed often and easily, but can quickly be hidden away thanks to a simple curtain rail and some favourite fabric.
A bolt of beautiful fabric can hide a multitude of sins. Here, a utility room can be accessed often and easily, but can quickly be hidden away thanks to a simple curtain rail and some favourite fabric.
Bold up your blinds
Rather than shy away from having prints on blinds or curtains in spaces with many windows, pick a classic but striking design that leads the eye around the room. These wide stripes in an elegant colourway do the job perfectly.
TELL US…
Have you been creative with fabric in your home? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
Rather than shy away from having prints on blinds or curtains in spaces with many windows, pick a classic but striking design that leads the eye around the room. These wide stripes in an elegant colourway do the job perfectly.
TELL US…
Have you been creative with fabric in your home? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
The bed is one piece of furniture the majority of homeowners will rarely replace unless it’s essential. So how do you update your bed to reflect your changing tastes? Re-cover your bed-head in beautiful fabric, of course.
There’s a multitude of DIY articles online to give you tips for easily covering, upholstering or even fashioning a new bedhead from scratch, so go wild and get creative.