How to Select Fabrics for Your Home
- Kate Fryer
- Nov 29
- 3 min read
Choosing fabrics is one of the most enjoyable - and often most defining - stages of any interior design project. Fabrics bring personality, softness, and soul to a space, tying together colour, texture, and comfort in a way that hard finishes never can.
But with so many options available, how do you know what will not only look beautiful but also perform well over time? Here’s my guide to choosing the right fabrics for your home - balancing practicality, comfort, and timeless style.
1. Start With Purpose: How the Fabric Will Be Used
Before you fall in love with a pattern or colour, it’s important to think about how and where the fabric will be used. The demands placed on upholstery, curtains, and cushions vary enormously, so start with function first.
Upholstery: Seating needs robust, durable fabrics that can withstand daily use. Think about whether the piece is purely decorative or will be in constant use - a formal armchair versus a family sofa, for example.
Curtains and Blinds: These require fabrics that drape beautifully and respond well to light. Lighter linens or cotton blends are perfect for a relaxed, natural look, while velvets and wools create depth and luxury.
Cushions and Accessories: These are your opportunity to add personality - you can be braver with texture, pattern, and colour since they’re easy to update or replace.
2. Consider Durability and Rub Count
When it comes to upholstery, rub count is key. This measurement - often listed as a “Martindale” or “Wyzenbeek” test result — tells you how many times a fabric can be rubbed before showing signs of wear.
As a guide:
Domestic upholstery: Aim for 20,000-30,000 rubs or more
High-traffic areas or family homes: Look for 40,000+
Curtains, cushions, or light-use furniture: 10,000-15,000 is usually sufficient
Choosing the right rub count ensures your investment pieces age gracefully, maintaining their beauty and structure for years to come.
3. Think About Texture and Feel
Texture adds richness and depth to a room - and plays a big role in how comfortable and welcoming a space feels.
Natural fibres like linen, wool, and cotton breathe beautifully and develop character over time.
Velvets add glamour and warmth, perfect for creating intimacy in a living or bedroom setting.
Bouclé, tweed, or woven textures bring a tactile, layered quality that works beautifully in both period and contemporary homes.
When layering fabrics in a scheme, contrast is key - pair smooth with textured, matte with lustrous, and heavy with light to create balance and interest.
4. Colour, Pattern, and Personality
Once you’ve considered practicality, durability, and texture, it’s time to bring in the element that truly transforms a space: colour and pattern.
The fabric palette should harmonise with the overall design scheme - reflecting the mood, energy, and purpose of the room.
For calm, timeless interiors: Opt for a palette of soft neutrals and muted hues, layering tone-on-tone fabrics for a sophisticated effect.
For personality and warmth: Introduce pattern through cushions, blinds, or upholstery in complementary colours that tie the scheme together.
For period homes: Traditional florals, stripes, and damasks can feel wonderfully at home - especially when reinterpreted in modern colourways.
A well-chosen fabric story should feel cohesive yet effortless, echoing the design language of your home without feeling over-styled.
5. Tying It All Together
When I create a scheme for my clients - whether in Bristol, Bath, or the wider Somerset area - I like to think of fabrics as the glue that holds the entire design together. They connect the colours of the walls, the warmth of the flooring, and the character of the furniture, creating a space that feels intentional, layered, and lived in.
A beautiful interior isn’t just about what you see - it’s also about what you touch. The right fabrics bring comfort, depth, and emotion to your home.
Here are some of my favourites right now...
Thicket Fabric by Harlequin
Twill Stripe in Kenworthy Fabric by Liberty
Nettie Fabric by Ian Sanderson
Cheslyn Fabric by Sanderson
Hopsack Stripe Fabric by Ian Mankin
✨ If you’d like help selecting fabrics or pulling together a cohesive design scheme, I offer colour consultancy and room-by-room design services that make the process simple and enjoyable. Book a discovery call or get in touch to start your project.
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