Interior Design Perspectives: The Versatile Power of Textile

If there were to be named just one material interior designers love to work with, textile would be it.

Textile is probably one of the most flexible materials for the creation of home décor. From very inexpensive and resilient, to lush and luxurious, it can be used to accentuate any sentiment or theme.

Even if you haven’t hired a professional for the execution of an interior design project at home, you definitely feature textiles in more than one way. This material provides one of the easiest opportunities to change things up and brighten the interior of your home.

The Incredible Versatility of Textiles

Fabrics matter a lot in interior design because they are easy to work with and the right choices can help accomplish a major transformation.

When working with textiles, Singapore interior design professionals play with several elements – colour, pattern and even texture. Some fabrics are smooth and silky, creating a sleek and very sophisticated finish. Others are shaggy and fluffy, obviously giving the interior a sense of comfort and cosiness.

Not only that, textiles can also be utilised within any budget. Synthetics are incredibly long-lived and cost-efficient. Some of these fabrics look really good, approximating the feel of more expensive and luxurious options.

In other instances, home owners will go for obvious high quality. Leather, silk and other similar textiles carry a ton of sophistication and make a statement on their own.

Apart from being versatile in nature, textiles can be used to create so many décor items. From throw pillows to rugs, carpets and even furniture or art pieces, textiles will be present in just about every part of the flat. They will easily create consistency or be utilized as a point of visual interest through contrasting tones and textures.

So Many Materials to Explore!

There are so many kinds of textiles out there (both manmade and natural) that overviewing all of the possibilities available to Singaporean homeowners is impossible.

Generally speaking, textiles are divided into natural (cotton, linen, silk, leather, suede, wool and synthetic (polyester, acrylic, acetate, viscose).

Cotton is one of the most popular choices. As far as natural materials go, it is very affordable and durable. In addition, cotton is a breathable fabric. This characteristic makes it perfect for the creation of pillows, blankets, duvets and furniture covers. Cotton can be thin or thick, it can create beautiful curtains and even furniture upholstery. One of the few issues linked to the use of cotton is that it tends to fade with time.

Silk, wool and leather are more expensive natural textiles. Out of all fabrics, wool is considered one of the strongest and most resilient choices. This is why it’s often used in beautiful carpeting that will remain unchanged for years or even decades. Silk is very luxurious and nice to the touch but it’s more delicate than other fabrics. Just like cotton, it can fade over time and it requires proper care. Leather is the ultimate luxury item. It’s quite versatile because you can find home décor items made of actual premium leather, suede or even hide.

Synthetics like polyester, rayon, nylon, acetate and viscose offer a more budget friendly and often a more resilient option than natural fabrics.

Many of the synthetic materials can withstand fading when exposed to light, which makes them perfect for the creation of window treatment.

When crafted from quality materials and manufactured in the correct way, synthetics can look beautiful and expensive. Experienced interior designers know how to choose such textiles in order to give homeowners the biggest bang for their buck.

All of this sounds great but you’re probably wondering about ways to incorporate textile decorations in your interior design. What are some of the key applications? How do you combine different fabrics to get a harmonious outcome? Let’s check a few examples based on projects we’ve created for clients in the past.

From Theory to Actual Execution: Examples of Textile-Based Home Décor

Some textile applications are pretty common and we can’t imagine our home interiors without them. In other instances, however, fabrics can be used creatively to surprise and delight.

In our practice, we’ve worked with textiles for the execution of just about every project. Here are some visual examples of actual applications that enrich interior design projects and give them personality.

Leather is commonly used in the place of upholstery to give furniture a more sophisticated, masculine vibe.

This particular sofa is crafted from a quality type of synthetic leather. It looks like the real thing, it is durable but cruelty-free and much more affordable. Woven sofa throws and a wool rug complete the picture, showing you just how well different kinds of textiles can work alongside each other.

Other kinds of textiles will create a completely different vibe when used in furniture pieces. Check out these bright and colourful dining chairs. Each one is executed in a different colour and pattern but the fabrics chosen look harmonious. The bright concept is tied together through the use of colourful pillows and a neutral, navy sofa. A cotton and poly blend was used in this Yio Chu Kang Rd. project to benefit from the softness of the natural and the durability of the synthetic textile.

Moving on to the bedroom, textiles have lots of applications there.

Bedsheets, bedspreads, bed throws, curtains and carpets all have their use in a personal boudoir. In the example above, a textile was used to create half a bed head. The material is not typical for such an accessory, which is why the final outcome looks so visually intriguing.

This bedroom brags a full bed head crafted in a similar manner as in the previous example. The colour scheme ties really well together with the choice of bedding, as well as the bedroom carpet.

Moving on to carpets and rugs… They definitely deserve a separate mention because choosing the right type of floor accessory can immediately transform the room.

Wool rugs are an accessory that we love to work with. They create a lot of warmth and good isolation. In addition, wool is often thick and very resilient, giving homeowners excellent value for the money spread on the accessory.

In this 126 Bishan project, the wool rug works alongside other beautiful fabrics like sheer curtains enhanced by an additional set of blackout curtains, as well as printed sofa upholstery (creating a bit of visual interest and a focal point in the living room).

To switch things up a bit, we used a velvet-like textile to add texture to the carpet in this Leedon Heights living room. Sheer curtains and colourful throw pillows complete the design.

Oriental rugs and carpets also deserve to be highlighted. Not only are they incredibly long-lived, the geometric or floral patterns also create art pieces that carry a distinctive, warm vibe.

The oriental carpet is the star in this bedroom. Neutral colours have been chosen for the rest of the décor, allowing the simple, symmetrical beauty of the textile shine.

A Bright and Beautiful Home Is Just a Few Steps Away

Are you hesitant about coordinating home accessories, choosing fabrics and making sure you’re spending your money on the right items?

Let the Home Guide Home interior design team take you through the possibilities, helping you pick the ones that are best suited to your needs.

Take a look at our residential portfolio for a better idea of our style and aesthetics as well as our excellent home renovation work. If you have questions, you can contact us now to discuss the specifics and commence work on your brand new home.