How to Choose the Right Fabric for Your Project

Choosing fabric doesn't have to be difficult. Whether you're planning a pair of curtains, a Roman blind, reupholstering a favourite chair or adding a patterned headboard, the right fabric can completely change the look and feel of a room.

The good news? Our fabric designs can be used across a range of soft furnishing projects. The key is understanding the fabric type, weight and finish that's right for the job.

1. Start with the design

First things first: the fun bit.

Choose a design you love. From bold botanicals and playful prints to more understated patterns, our fabric collection has plenty to choose from.

Many of our designs are available in both linen and velvet, although some are exclusive to one fabric type.

Once you've found your favourite, it's time to think about where it's going to live.

2. Choose your fabric

Our fabrics are available in linen-look and velvet, with both offering their own distinct look and feel.

Linen-look fabric

Despite the name, our linen-look fabric is actually a heavy-weight polyester with the look and feel of linen. It's made from 48% recycled polyester, using certified REPREVE® yarns.

Using recycled polyester requires less energy to produce than virgin polyester and gives a second life to plastic bottles that might otherwise end up in landfill. The REPREVE® yarns we use contain a DNA marker called FiberPrint®, which helps identify and certify the recycled fibres.

The result is a hard-wearing fabric with the relaxed, natural appearance of linen, without being actual linen. Its heavier weight makes it a particularly versatile choice for curtains, Roman blinds, cushions and upholstery projects.

Velvet

Our soft, luxurious velvet has a richer, more tactile finish, with colour that changes beautifully as the light catches the pile. It's a great choice for curtains, cushions, headboards and upholstery when you want to bring a little more depth and drama to a room.

Most of our fabric designs are available in both our linen-look fabric and velvet, although some designs are only available in one. If you've fallen for a design that's not currently available in the fabric you need, get in touch as we may be able to help.

Curtains made from Va Va Frome Sunset Velvet in this stunning living room designed by @em.gurner and photographed by @anna_yanovski

3. Think about the weight

The weight of your fabric is particularly important when choosing blinds and curtains, but it can also affect the final look and feel of upholstered pieces.

Roman blinds: drapery or upholstery weight?

Both drapery-weight and upholstery-weight fabrics can be used for Roman blinds. It's not a case of one being right and the other wrong – it's about the finish you want.

Drapery weight creates softer, more relaxed folds and allows more light to filter through the blind.

Upholstery weight is stiffer and more structured, creating crisper, more defined folds and generally blocking more light.

So before choosing, think about what you want your blind to do: soft and light, or structured and substantial?

If you're having your Roman blind made professionally, mention the fabric weight to your blind maker. They can take this into account when recommending the best construction for your chosen fabric.

Curtains

For curtains, a drapery-weight fabric will generally create a softer, more flowing drape, while a heavier fabric will have more body and structure.

Our linen-look fabric is a heavy-weight option, making it particularly suited to curtains where you want a fuller, more substantial look. Velvet can also make a brilliant curtain fabric when you're after something richer and more dramatic.

Ultimately, the right choice comes down to the look you're after, as well as the practical requirements of your space.

Image by @renovating_belgraveplace featuring our Alcea Summer velvet and Jockey Stripe Maroon linen

4. Upholstery: choose the right finish

If you're upholstering a sofa, armchair, footstool, dining chair or headboard, the fabric needs to be suitable for upholstery.

This is where our fabric finishes come in.

FR Treated

Our standard FR-treated fabric is match tested, making it suitable for many residential upholstery applications and commercial curtains and cushions.

Crib 5

Crib 5 fabric has undergone additional testing, including the crib test, and is generally used where higher fire-retardancy requirements apply, such as commercial and hospitality environments.

If you're unsure which finish you need, always check with your upholsterer or fabricator about the requirements for your particular project.

Drapery

Our drapery option is untreated, meaning the fabric hasn't been chemically treated for fire resistance. This makes it a great option for curtains and other non-commercial decorative applications where FR treatment isn't required.

5. So, what fabric should you choose?

Here's a quick guide:

Image by @noushka_design @darrwnchung74 featuring Matchstick Stripe Magnolia/Green linen and Jockey Stripe Magnolia/Green linen

6. Don't forget the practical stuff

The prettiest fabric in the world isn't much use if it doesn't work for the job.

Think about how the piece will be used, how much wear it will get and the finish you want before ordering.

For example, a fabric destined for a much-loved family sofa will need to withstand considerably more wear than one being used for a pair of decorative curtains.

And if you're working with a professional upholsterer, curtain maker or blind maker, it's always worth checking the fabric requirements with them before ordering. They'll be able to advise on things like weight, construction and the appropriate fire-retardant finish for your project.

From upholstery to drapery, make it yours

Fabric is one of the easiest ways to bring colour, pattern and personality into a room. Use it to transform an old sofa, frame a window with statement curtains, add a patterned Roman blind, create a beautiful headboard or simply introduce a few cushions.

There really is no shortage of ways to use it – the hardest part might just be choosing your favourite design.