Furnishing fabrics can elevate your home decor or interior design. It can enhance the style, comfort, and functionality of your space. By choosing the right type of furnishing fabrics, you can style your space beautifully. Let’s understand different types of furnishing fabrics. 

What Are Furnishing Fabrics?

Furnishing fabrics are typically textiles used for home decor to elevate style, comfort, and functionality. These fabrics are used for various items, like curtains, cushions, upholstery, drapes, and wallpapers. Unlike clothing fabrics, furnishing fabrics are designed for durability and aesthetic appeal. Different types of textures, colors, and quality fabrics can create a specific look of a home that provides a beautiful look. 

Common Types of Furnishing Fabrics

Cotton – Cotton is generally used for cushions, drapes, and slipcovers. It’s soft, breathable, and easy to maintain. 

Linen – Linen is known for its natural texture and elegance. It is also durable.  

Velvet – Velvet provides a luxurious and rich touch. It’s soft and perfect for a formal setting.

Silk – Silk is a premium fabric with a smooth, shiny finish. It is used for cushions and luxurious curtains. It requires careful maintenance.

Wool – Wool is a natural and durable fabric. It is perfect for heavier upholstery and throws.

Leather – Leather is stylish and durable. It’s perfect for furniture that sees a lot of use.

Polyester – Polyester is wrinkles and stains-free. Generally used in upholstery and curtains, it’s affordable and low-maintenance.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Furnishing Fabrics

  • For high-traffic areas like sofas and dining chairs, choose strong fabrics, such as linen or microfiber. 
  • Fabrics such as polyester or leather are easy to maintain, while silk or velvet require more care. Choose the one that matches your lifestyle. 
  • Soft fabrics are comfortable for upholstery, on the other hand, velvet provides a luxurious feel. 
  • Make sure fabric colors, textures, and patterns are matching with your decor theme. 
  • Pick moisture-resistant fabrics for kitchens. 
  • Balance the quality of fabrics with your budget. Natural fabrics like silk often cost more. 
  • Use breathable fabrics like in warm areas and wool in colder climates. 

Specialty Furnishing Fabrics

Specialty furnishing fabrics are designed for specific benefits. Fabrics like Sunbrella are durable and fade-resistant. That makes it a perfect choice for outdoor use. The other type of specialty fabric is microfiber. It’s soft, stain-resistant, and easy to clean, making it ideal for homes with kids and pets. You can choose performance fabric for high-traffic areas. There are even flame-resistant and weather-resistant fabrics also available.  You can choose specialty fabrics as per your requirements. 

Fabric Selection for Different Rooms

Living Room – Choose durable and stylish fabrics such as Cotton and linen for high-traffic areas. You can choose velvet for a luxury feel. 

Bedroom – Choose soft bed upholstery fabric for comfort like cotton and linen. 

Dining Room – Choose from stain-free fabrics like polyester and microfiber for dining chairs and tablecloths. This type of fabric is durable and easy to clean. 

Kitchen: Cotton or polyester is easy to clean, that’s why it best fits kitchen windows and cushions. Linen will be well suited for aprons and table runners. 

Bathroom – Bathroom fabrics should be water resistant. Select cotton or waterproof fabrics for the bathroom. 

Home Office – Fabrics like wool, cotton, or linen can provide a professional and comfortable look for your desk and accessories. These fabrics are often durable and comfortable during working hours.

How to Mix and Match Fabrics in Your Home Décor

  • Start by choosing a color scheme. Choose one dominant color and design other colors around it. You can choose different textures and patterns to achieve your desired look. 
  • By mixing different fabrics with different textures, you can add depth to decor. 
  • Create a balance while combining multiple patterns. Keep patterns in a similar scale to avoid clashing. 
  • Make sure your fabric choices are tailored to the room’s purpose. Choose more durable fabrics for high-traffic areas. Use softer and luxurious upholstery material for a more visually appealing look. 
  • Using three or four varieties of fabrics can prevent the room from feeling too chaotic. 
  • By adding accessories like cushions throws, and curtains, you can create a stylish look without overwhelming a space. 

How to Care for Different Types of Furnishing Fabrics

  • Wash cotton fabrics in cool water and air dry to avoid shrinkage. 
  • Linen fabrics are washed in cold water and iron to reduce wrinkles. 
  • Velvet fabrics are dry-cleaned and vacuumed regularly. 
  • Silk fabrics are dry cleaned with cold water, and avoid direct sunlight to prevent fading. 
  • Wool fabrics are vacuumed regularly. 
  • Chenille fabrics are vacuumed with a soft brush and dry-cleaned periodically.
  • Leather fabrics are wiped with a damp cloth.
  • Polyester fabrics can be machine-washed and vacuumed regularly. 
  • Microfiber fabrics need microfiber cleaner for stains. 


By considering these factors, you can choose the right type of fabrics that enhance the overall beauty and comfort of your space. Choose from furnishing fabrics that best fit your requirements.