From natural fabrics to synthetic fabrics, we have made a complete list of different types of fabrics in interior décor that you can use in your home, office, and more in a new and unique way.
Not only wall paints, furniture, accessories, but fabrics are also an excellent way to beautify your interiors that can give a new look to your home space. When choosing the right types of fabrics in interior décor, there are many factors that come into play. You can always choose between a warm or cold tone for your décor and accordingly, the fabric can be chosen either in the same tone or contrasting tone.
Also, there are a variety of fabric textures and are not only limited to colors. From plain, sheer textures to highly embossed and decorative textures, you can find many depending on the softness, strength, smoothness, etc., for example, leather, wool, canvas, and much more.
So, here is the list of types of fabrics in interior décor…
Types of Fabrics in Interior Decor
1. Artificial Silk
Artificial silk is commonly known as Acetate. It is a type of synthetic fabric obtained from natural fibers like cotton linters (fine silky fibers obtained from the seeds after ginning of staple cotton) or wood pulp. Due to its soft touch, it is used as an accessory fabric, for example in cushions, curtains, bedclothes, linings, etc. When it is blended with rayon, it can also be used as upholstery material.
2. Acrylic
Acrylic is a synthetic fabric that is chemically treated to look like wool. It is soft, flexible and lightweight, and gives excellent color retention. It is used as an alternative to wool for rugs, carpets, upholstery, and also for furnishings.
3. Brocade
We all know brocade has many uses. Brocade is a heavy jacquard woven fabric with floral or other patterns created all over it. Its base fabric can be cotton, linen, silk, or a combination of different threads in multicolor. Brocades are delicate but very durable in use. It is used for curtains, furniture upholstery, cushion covers, and so on. If you want your décor theme as a classic or royal look, then go for brocades!
4. Cashmere
Cashmere is a natural fabric obtained from the undercoats of mountain goats, for example, pashmina goats, cashmere goats, etc. It is soft, lightweight, and warm in nature. Also, cashmere is thinner than other different wool types. Due to its pleasant nature, it is used as blankets, cushion covers, plaids, throws, and much more.
5. Chenille
Type of synthetic fabric mostly made of cotton along with a combination of fabrics like wool, acrylics, olefin, rayon, silk, etc. It is similar to velvet in terms of its feel and looks. Chenille is durable, soft, warm, and mostly opaque. It is used in rugs, upholstery, throws, cushions, blankets, and more.
6. Chiffon
Chiffon acts as both a natural and synthetic fabric due to its combination of natural and synthetic fibers, for example, silk, cotton, linen, nylon, polyester, etc. It is durable, sheer in texture, lightweight, and airy fabric. Chiffon is ideal for drapery like curtains, blinds, and so on.
7. Cotton
Cotton is a well-known natural fabric derived from cotton plants. It can be blended with both natural and synthetic yarns. As we know, cotton is a very durable, strong, soft, and flexible fabric that is available in mostly all different colors and prints.
It is used in many décor items, for example, curtains, bed linens, upholstery, draperies, including carpets and rugs. Along with this, cotton is also commonly used in accessories like cushion covers, tablecloths, lamps, and more.
8. Hemp
Hemp is a naturally derived sustainable fabric obtained from the base of the stem of the Cannabis Sativa plant. It is breathable, durable, and its fibers can be recycled a number of times. Mostly it is used for bedding, linens, pillows, sofas, and more.
9. Jute
Another naturally obtained organic fabric, jute is made up of the bark of the jute plant. It is a strong and versatile fabric with many great properties and is mostly used for commercial purposes. In-home décor, it is used for upholsteries, carpets, furnishing materials, and so on. Jute is also used as a decorative thread or fabric in accessories, furniture, wall coverings, and even artwork.
10. Lace
Lace is a soft delicate fabric having open web-like patterns created through hand or machinery. It can be made from natural yarns like cotton, linen, silk, or synthetic yarns like rayon, viscose, polyester, etc. Treatments like crocheting, weaving, knitting, etc. are used to make these designs on lace fabric. It is mostly used for curtains, drapery, cushion covers, and so on. Lace is also used for trimmings on furniture covers, beddings, lampshades, etc.
11. Linen
Natural fabric derived from flax fibers, the fibers of linen are more lustrous and strong than cotton fibers. It is a soft, durable, versatile, absorbent, and lightweight fabric. It has many uses like curtains, upholstery, wall coverings, lampshades, bedding, etc.
12. Leather
Another natural fabric, leather is obtained from animal hides like cattle, reptiles, sheep, horses, etc. It is uniform in color, durable, and is an easy to clean fabric. Due to these viable properties, it is perfect for sofas, other furniture upholstery, decorative throw pillows, and much more.
13. Leatherette
Leatherette is also called fake leather, faux leather, etc. It is made up of both natural and synthetic fibers that are then coated with PVC and are not made like pure leather. Leatherette is a great choice for plush interior décor that is free from animal cruelty. Again, it is mostly used for upholstery as it is easy to maintain and stain-resistant.
14. Moire
Moire used to be mostly obtained from cotton and silk, but nowadays many fibers are blended like viscose, rayon, wool, polyester, etc. Due to the sea waves effect, it is more used as a decorative fabric. It is thin, glossy, and gives a watery effect. Mainly used for drapery, upholstery, decorative cushions, and so on.
15. Nylon
Nylon is a synthetic fabric that offers great durability and strength just like its cousin fabric, polyester. It is lightweight, soft, and comes with elasticity. It is used in many home décor items like rugs, carpets, sometimes blended with other fabrics for sofas, etc.
16. Olefin
This chemically manufactured fabric is also known as polyolefin as it is made from polyethylene or polypropylene. It comes with excellent strength, durability, sturdiness, lightweight, and a colorfast property. Mostly used for rugs, wall coverings, carpets, mats, upholstery webbing, etc.
17. Organza
Organza is a synthetic fabric traditionally made from silk and nowadays it is mostly blended with synthetic yarns like rayon, nylon, polyester, etc. It is lightweight, durable, and thin with sheer texture. Organza is perfect for curtains, blinds, and lampshades due to its translucent look.
18. Polyester
This is synthetic fabric obtained through chemical treatment with petroleum. It is also blended with other synthetic fabrics to give an advanced effect. It is a very sturdy, long-lasting, flexible, and easily available fabric. Nowadays, polyester is one of the most used types of fabrics in interior décor, for example, it is used in carpets, wall coverings, upholstery, and much more.
19. Rayon
Rayon is another natural fabric obtained from the cellulose fiber of wood pulp. It is also used as a substitute for silk and sometimes called artificial silk, due to its feel. Rayon has a soft touch and absorbent property. However, it is a weak fabric and can be damaged if not taken care of properly. Rayon is mostly used for drapery, upholstery with special treatment, covers, etc.
20. Satin
Satin is a popularly used synthetic fabric, known for its shiny, lustrous, and smooth texture. It has both shiny and dull sides as it is blended with synthetic yarns like rayon, polyester, nylon with silk. It is ideally used for curtains and decorative cushion covers.
21. Silk
As we know, silk is a natural fabric obtained from cocoons of silkworms. It has a naturally lustrous texture, durability, and is a strong, but delicate fabric. Silk comes in many forms depending on the type of silkworm, for example, Tussar silk, Mulberry silk, Muga silk, etc. Silk is a perfect choice if you want to have a royal and elegant look at your home. It is used for curtains, draperies, wall coverings, and so on.
22. Tulle
Tulle is a very fine, and stiff, but lightweight net fabric obtained from natural and synthetic fibers like silk, rayon, polyester, nylon, etc. It comes with various designs and patterns, from plain to glittery textures. Due to its sheer texture and flowing look, it is mostly used for curtains and decorative cushion covers.
23. Velvet
Velvet is one of the types of fabrics in interior décor that is known for its luxurious look. It is a woolen blended fabric often mixed with silk, viscose, rayon, and other synthetic yarns. It is very delicate, hard to maintain, elastic to some extent, and durable. Velvet is mostly used in upholstery, cushions, curtains, rugs, and carpets.
24. Voile
Voile is a plain-weave fabric originally made from cotton and nowadays blended with synthetic fibers like rayon, viscose, polyester, etc. It has a sheer texture and is soft, and lightweight. Voile is ideal for soft furnishings, for example, curtains, canopies, etc.
25. Wool
Wool is an animal-based fabric obtained from animal hair like sheep, alpacas, lambs, etc. It is found in many fabrics like crepe, merino, gabardine, jersey, and so on. It is a warm, durable, and silk-looking fabric. Also for interior décor, wool is used mainly in blankets, rugs, cushions, throws, etc.
26. Fur
Fur is a fabric obtained from animal skins. For an animal free option, these days most interior designers are using faux fur (or synthetic fur) that is manufactured to resemble real fur. It is used in rugs, cushion covers, furniture upholstery and throws.
So, this was the list of types of fabrics in interior décor that are popularly used. Nowadays, there are so many fabrics that are blended with both natural and synthetic fibers to develop new types. Not only plain fabrics, but we can also find different prints, textures, and colors along with these fabrics, for example, lace, plisse, thermo chenille, jasper, velveteen, and many more.
Also, as per your choice you can get prints and textures on fabrics, for example, nature, geometric, florals, and much more. Whether you want to decorate your home with a traditional look or you want to decorate your office with a modern and contemporary look, fabrics play a very important role everywhere.
So, select your theme, for example modern, royal, contemporary, glamorous, etc., and choose accordingly your interior accessories, furniture, color schemes, and fabric finishes. Do tell us in the comments below that you like the most from the list of types of fabrics in interior décor and willing to add to your homes.
