Fabric can soften a room, give it a finished feel and add romance to it. You can always play with a variety of fabric to create a desired look. Let’s get creative with fabric to add fun and personal touches to your living space!
Throw pillows: These are easy and cheap to make. What’s more, you can change them with the seasons.
They add an instant aesthetic upgrade to a room and comfort both to your indoor and outdoor. Bored of the look of your pillows? You can make pretty ones in varying shapes from square, circular or even the shape of a star.
Placemats, tablecloths, and runners: These are easy to stitch and can be used to soften hard furniture. If you don’t know how to sew, get readymade ones from furnishing shops and some supermarkets.
Table covers: If you have pretty quilts and unused sheets that you don’t use, you can always use them to create layered table covers — they add instant romance to a room. If you don’t have any, second-hand shops have plenty of them.
Covered chair: How about updating a chair with new fabric. You can always get old curtain fabrics or even buy second hand ones to cover your worn out chairs. Kitchens adored with fabric on tables and chairs add both comfort and style.
Wall hangings: There could be a bold patterned fabric lying around your house and you don’t know what to do with it. This is where you need to think outside the frame. You will instantly get the look of art without frames. Simply stretch the fabric over a frame and staple it to the back of the frame. Many fundis know how to do it and at an affordable price. If the wall hanging is rectangular and you have more than two, hang them above your bed as a headboard.
Fabric frame: You could salvage old frames by covering them with fabric. Try it out and you will be surprised at the results. It works best for mirrors; ensure the fabric has lovely prints.
Revamped lighting: You may be having an old lampshade whose stand is still intact. Give it some life by using a modern fabric to cover the shade. It will take less than a metre of fabric. If you can’t do it yourself, carry the pretty fabric to a fundi and have them fix it for you.
Napkins: Use the fabric scraps in your possession to dress up a multi-pattern tablecloth. Ensure the fabric coordinates with the tablecloth.
Centrepiece: The cans lying around your house can make for perfect centrepieces. Simply mount fabric round it using fabric glue and you have a unique centrepiece for your table.
Embellished towels: Let your bathing and hand towels stand out by top stitching borders of fabric on the edges.
Foyer: If you have a small table at your foyer, a silk, embroidered table scarf or a rustic piece of canvas will give it the county effect.
Shelves: Add fabric to cabinet panels and shelves for a cosy country look.