Decorating
10 Ways to Create a Feature Out of Fabric
Now that winter is finally here, it's time to warm up your home with some cosy fabric touches. Here are some great creative ideas to inspire
There’s a whole array of textures in our homes, but soft furnishings are such a winner for comfort and touchability. Fabric elements here and there add so much warmth – and you can introduce a little tactile interest to each room in more ways than simply throwing in another cushion. Be inspired by these more unusual ideas.
Hang a curtain door
If you need to separate two spaces in your home, but there’s not enough room to open and close a traditional door – or you simply favour a softer look – try a fabric screen instead. Simply treat the space as a window and hang a full-length curtain. Pick up an off-the-shelf design or hand-make one in a colour and texture that complements your decor.
In this scheme, a curtain in a complementary colour divides a kitchen and a utility room, but you could try it to separate the area inside your front door from the main hallway, or a walk-in wardrobe from your bedroom.
If you need to separate two spaces in your home, but there’s not enough room to open and close a traditional door – or you simply favour a softer look – try a fabric screen instead. Simply treat the space as a window and hang a full-length curtain. Pick up an off-the-shelf design or hand-make one in a colour and texture that complements your decor.
In this scheme, a curtain in a complementary colour divides a kitchen and a utility room, but you could try it to separate the area inside your front door from the main hallway, or a walk-in wardrobe from your bedroom.
Try a traditional table skirt
Done in a modern way, a table skirt like this actually looks very fresh and creative. It doesn’t need to resemble the pleated, chintzy versions of your granny’s dressing table. Upholsterers can easily run up a suitable solution for you in a pattern you’re happy with.
This simple, streamlined, two-tone option has just six pleats, and works particularly well in the hallway, where the slim table beneath it can hide a multitude of shoes, brollies and bags – just what you want beside the front door.
Done in a modern way, a table skirt like this actually looks very fresh and creative. It doesn’t need to resemble the pleated, chintzy versions of your granny’s dressing table. Upholsterers can easily run up a suitable solution for you in a pattern you’re happy with.
This simple, streamlined, two-tone option has just six pleats, and works particularly well in the hallway, where the slim table beneath it can hide a multitude of shoes, brollies and bags – just what you want beside the front door.
Create a noticeboard
A neat way to introduce a fabric element into your home office is to create a bespoke noticeboard for all your inspiration, scribbled musings and upcoming events.
Get your hands on a large corkboard and cover it in fabric, folding and gluing down the excess material at the back. Attach some ribbon in a criss-cross pattern across the board, pinning it in place at each cross as you go. Then simply hang up your board and get busy tucking notes, to-dos and postcards into their new home.
A neat way to introduce a fabric element into your home office is to create a bespoke noticeboard for all your inspiration, scribbled musings and upcoming events.
Get your hands on a large corkboard and cover it in fabric, folding and gluing down the excess material at the back. Attach some ribbon in a criss-cross pattern across the board, pinning it in place at each cross as you go. Then simply hang up your board and get busy tucking notes, to-dos and postcards into their new home.
Frame treasured fabric finds
These vintage handkerchiefs look beautiful in simple white frames hung up in a grid. You may have the intricate handiwork of an older relative in the form of an embroidered table runner or crocheted doily that would be better displayed than hidden away in a drawer.
Investigate ways to frame these vintage items so you protect them as well as show them off to their best. A good tip is to mount anything delicate within a solid, acid-free mount board so the fabric doesn’t touch the glass; if you sandwich delicate material right up against glass in a frame, it can end up collecting moisture and sticking to it. A professional framer will be able to advise you.
These vintage handkerchiefs look beautiful in simple white frames hung up in a grid. You may have the intricate handiwork of an older relative in the form of an embroidered table runner or crocheted doily that would be better displayed than hidden away in a drawer.
Investigate ways to frame these vintage items so you protect them as well as show them off to their best. A good tip is to mount anything delicate within a solid, acid-free mount board so the fabric doesn’t touch the glass; if you sandwich delicate material right up against glass in a frame, it can end up collecting moisture and sticking to it. A professional framer will be able to advise you.
Show off a table setting
If you have a beautiful dinner service (and no kids or pets wreaking havoc 24/7) get it all out on display and dress with pretty fabric napkins. Storing it on the table rather than inside a cupboard means the different textures on your table can be a welcoming treat for the eyes (and you’ll always be ready for dinner). Pull the look together with a big vase of gorgeous blooms.
This is also a great way to avoid the dining table becoming a magnet for clutter, such as paperwork, flyers and other items that are easy to dump on it as you pass by.
Table settings to impress guests
If you have a beautiful dinner service (and no kids or pets wreaking havoc 24/7) get it all out on display and dress with pretty fabric napkins. Storing it on the table rather than inside a cupboard means the different textures on your table can be a welcoming treat for the eyes (and you’ll always be ready for dinner). Pull the look together with a big vase of gorgeous blooms.
This is also a great way to avoid the dining table becoming a magnet for clutter, such as paperwork, flyers and other items that are easy to dump on it as you pass by.
Table settings to impress guests
Take the edge off with an unexpected tablecloth
This vintage-style tablecloth manages to look decidedly non-twee in such a pared-back, utilitarian-style room. Likewise, using some fabric in this style helps to soften a look that could veer towards the stark. Play with the contrasts between hard and soft to balance the two.
This vintage-style tablecloth manages to look decidedly non-twee in such a pared-back, utilitarian-style room. Likewise, using some fabric in this style helps to soften a look that could veer towards the stark. Play with the contrasts between hard and soft to balance the two.
Go all out
A fabric-clad room is not for the faint-hearted, but this updated version – more French Renaissance than garish 1970s – shows it can be done tastefully. You can best get away with this in a small guest room under the eaves, as it will give it a cosy, den-like feel. Here, the velvet and silk fabric and trims in rich pink and red help to keep the look on the elegant side.
A fabric-clad room is not for the faint-hearted, but this updated version – more French Renaissance than garish 1970s – shows it can be done tastefully. You can best get away with this in a small guest room under the eaves, as it will give it a cosy, den-like feel. Here, the velvet and silk fabric and trims in rich pink and red help to keep the look on the elegant side.
Drape it across your patio
Take fabric outside – it’s easy to wash, after all. You can create a dramatic look on a patio with a frame set up to hold a softly draped sheet of sheer muslin. You could equally go bold, perhaps using an African wax print fabric. As this is considered a temporary structure, you wouldn’t need planning permission either.
Outdoor rooms built for winter
Take fabric outside – it’s easy to wash, after all. You can create a dramatic look on a patio with a frame set up to hold a softly draped sheet of sheer muslin. You could equally go bold, perhaps using an African wax print fabric. As this is considered a temporary structure, you wouldn’t need planning permission either.
Outdoor rooms built for winter
Clad your walls
Not just for sound-proofing, fabric tiles on your walls can look chic as well as cosy. Upholsterers can create this sort of look for you bespoke.
Continue with the same shade as your sofa for a simple, streamlined look. In this scheme, the walls are finished in a leather-like fabric and the sofa more of a suede to break up the colour with texture.
You could try a contrasting colour to make more of a statement, but, since it’s easier to change your accessories than your wall covering, it’s better to keep the wall neutral and plain.
If pattern appeals, you could alternatively (and with less risk) DIY your own standalone panels by covering foam core with patterned fabric using spray adhesive. Hang one – or a trio – as you would a giant artwork (there are various poster hangers you can use) and it will be easy to switch if you tire of the look.
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Have you used fabric in an inventive way? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
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Not just for sound-proofing, fabric tiles on your walls can look chic as well as cosy. Upholsterers can create this sort of look for you bespoke.
Continue with the same shade as your sofa for a simple, streamlined look. In this scheme, the walls are finished in a leather-like fabric and the sofa more of a suede to break up the colour with texture.
You could try a contrasting colour to make more of a statement, but, since it’s easier to change your accessories than your wall covering, it’s better to keep the wall neutral and plain.
If pattern appeals, you could alternatively (and with less risk) DIY your own standalone panels by covering foam core with patterned fabric using spray adhesive. Hang one – or a trio – as you would a giant artwork (there are various poster hangers you can use) and it will be easy to switch if you tire of the look.
TELL US
Have you used fabric in an inventive way? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse more decorating ideas
These days, lots of people are making their own lampshades and you can pick up DIY kits at plenty of department stores and craft shops.
The beautiful selection shown here – in a surprising spot, the kitchen – demonstrates just how versatile fabric lampshades can be, as well as the trims you can use.
Combine options in vintage fabric, paper and plain wire frames for a modern eclectic look. Also pay attention to your accessories – it’s the bright green flex in this example that really makes the scene sing.
Tricks to pick the perfect lampshade