| A common design dilemma is how to change the | | | | For the living room, fabrics are the best |
| look of an entire room without blowing the | | | | solutions to provide either temporary or |
| budget. Major changes in furniture, | | | | permanent overhauls for the sofa or couch. |
| structural renovations to the home and any | | | | Sofas that are badly stained or worn may be |
| other major works are out of the question. | | | | taken to a shop for re-upholstery. When |
| | | | re-upholstering the furniture, the extent of |
| However, if there's one thing that | | | | damage equates to the amount of repair that |
| professional designers agree on, it's the | | | | the sofa will undergo some may only need a |
| capacity of fabric in various textures and | | | | small amount of repair while others need |
| colors to bring life to a room. Fabric, when | | | | major repair: such as the foam completely |
| incorporated properly, can define the theme | | | | changed or complete over-haul. Re-upholstery |
| for the season or the mood of the room, and | | | | entails the permanent change of the outer |
| can bring life to even the dullest spaces. | | | | skin or covering of the sofa using new fabric |
| | | | or a covering material such as faux leather. |
| Depending on its use, fabrics can bring | | | | When choosing the fabric for re-upholstering, |
| unique moods to a room. Heavy, rich-colored | | | | choose one that will blend in with various |
| and textured fabrics usually bring a more | | | | color schemes, as re-upholstery is permanent |
| formal, ornate feel to a room, while sheer | | | | in nature. |
| fabrics used in windows, made to hang over | | | | |
| bare walls, or even just thrown over the back | | | | For temporary punches of life, color, or even |
| of a couch or an ottoman bring a fun, flirty | | | | design themes, slipcovers are the better |
| feel to a room. | | | | choice. Slipcovers are available ready-made |
| | | | in department stores, or you may have them |
| The following are some fabulous ideas to | | | | custom-made especially for your sofa to |
| incorporate fabric in different places in the | | | | assure a snug-fit. Slipcovers will allow for |
| home | | | | seasonal color changes of the room, and even |
| | | | for mixing and matching the sofa with other |
| Window Treatments | | | | furniture or accessories to better suit the |
| | | | decor of the room. |
| A window positioned anywhere in a room | | | | |
| provides a dramatic statement, a focal point, | | | | For the dining area, the dining chairs or |
| or may even provide an opportunity to bring | | | | stools may be fitted with covers and skirts |
| the outdoors inside the room. With window | | | | for a more decorative effect or to better |
| treatments, fabrics may be used in curtains | | | | continue a color scheme in the room. |
| and window valances. | | | | |
| | | | Tables Around the House |
| In order to provide a dramatic statement in a | | | | |
| room via the window treatment, you can make | | | | Fabric table covers serve two important |
| use of two extreme types of fabrics, either | | | | purposes: they bring colors, patterns, and |
| heavy, rich-colored fabrics, or sheer | | | | excitement to a room's design, and protect |
| draperies: or possibly a combination of both. | | | | the table from water or other corrosive |
| Heavy, rich-colored fabrics make a dramatic | | | | materials that come in contact with it. When |
| statement with their strong colors and | | | | using fabrics on tables, you may experiment |
| eye-catching patterns (like damasks, flower | | | | with various lengths - using long fabrics to |
| prints, stripes, etc.). Sheer draperies, on | | | | cover the entire table for a formal effect, |
| the other hand, bring a light, sunny feeling | | | | shorter fabric to fit the table top exactly |
| to the room by letting in just enough | | | | to allow for storage under the table, or as a |
| sunlight, yet allowing for a light and flirty | | | | long, thin, table runner to bring drama to a |
| curtain solution. | | | | table and emphasis to the table decor. |
| | | | |
| Used together, putting sheers behind the | | | | Fabric is used in these various scenarios is, |
| heavy fabric draperies, provides texture and | | | | primarily, to bring color or color themes |
| color contrast. The heavy fabric draperies | | | | into the room. The use of fabrics by |
| may be opened in the morning with the use of | | | | themselves or in color and pattern |
| trimmings and tassels, allowing for sunlight | | | | combinations allows you to mix and match as |
| to come through the sheer draperies. To | | | | you wish. The same colors used over and over |
| create a more formal feeling, some of the | | | | again in a room poses no threat when working |
| heavy fabric draperies may be incorporated | | | | with fabric, because with fabric, you may use |
| into a window valance. | | | | the same color in various shades, patterns, |
| | | | and fabric textures to avoid monotony. |
| The Sitting Area | | | | |
| | | | Used properly, fabrics achieve design changes |
| In rooms like the living room and the dining | | | | at a cheaper price and with less effort. |
| area, the sitting area comprises much of the | | | | Fabrics take the place of added accessories |
| space. This means that most of the design | | | | and furniture, create as much impact as a new |
| that can be incorporated into the room must | | | | coat of paint or wallpaper, and allow for |
| come from the sitting area, if it is to make | | | | versatility of design by mixing and matching, |
| a visual impact. | | | | and temporary solutions such as slipcovers at |
| | | | a fraction of the cost of permanent changes. |