In previous articles we talked about the most appropriate types of fabric for your sofa (keys for choosing decoration fabrics part 1), which you can find on the market and the keys for creating the ambiance you want in your home (keys for choosing decoration fabrics 2). So in this article we're going to give you a series of tips for transmitting sensations based on a perfect fusion between fabric types, colours and colour combinations. Keep reading carefully because these tricks are the basis for becoming a great decorator for a day.
Sofa: Spirit 52 – Cushions: Nerea 31 · Otaru 05 from the Visual&Fantasy Book by Aquaclean
TIP 1. How to gain depth. To get a sense of depth in your living room you have to play around with different colour surfaces. For example, if you have a U-shaped distribution, where the sofa is placed at the back of the room, you can use a darker upholstery for the sofa and lighter fabrics as you move away from the sofa, for, let's say, armchairs and chairs, and the curtains. In addition, you can also upholster small pieces such as pouffes or armchairs with stamped fabrics to make the space more complex and give it a personality of its own.
Sofa: Siena 54– Cushions: Eternity 34 · Euforia 54 · Siena 54 from the Visual&Protection Book by Aquaclean
TIP 2. How to achieve warmth. One of the best ways to achieve a cosy kind of room is to choose fabrics that are smooth and soft to the touch, such as chenille or velvet, or linen mixed with silk, muslin or voile for fabric or net curtains. Colour is also fundamental when it comes to covering a space. A creamy or raw background sprinkled with toasted or orange details is a sure way to create a warm and cosy atmosphere.
TIP 3. How to ensure resilience. In a home that has small children and/or pets, the priority is to choose fabrics that are resistant and practical, easy to maintain and easily cleanable. Perhaps opting for 100% natural materials is not such a great ideas, as these fabrics are more delicate. Trevira, chenille or canvas upholstery covers are perfect because they can be washed at home and are very resistant to daily use.
Sofa: Novara 03 – Cushions: Adra 01 · Evora 01 from the Rústika 15/16 Book by Aquaclean
TIP 4. How to decorate using textures. For smaller spaces and dimly lit areas, it is best to choose smooth fabrics. But to make things interesting, you can combine these smooth fabrics with textured materials (reliefs or embroidery).
TEXTILE CURIOSITIES
How much fabric do I need for upholstering?
Generally speaking, a three-seater sofa requires from 10 to 12 metres of fabric, whereas a corner sofa in L may need up to 14 or 16 metres.
An armchair will take some 2 or 3 metres of fabric.
For a normal dining chair you need around 80 centimetres if you only want to reupholster the seat, or from 1 to 2 metres if the seat back is also included.
You should calculate the amount of fabric bearing in mind the adjustment or stretch of the fabric you are choosing, or for printed fabrics, you may need a greater length so you can match the floral arrangements or the printed motifs with one another. In any case, a skilled upholsterer will be able to tell you the length of fabric you need, and the best way to recycle or put the old upholstery to good use.
Upholstery durability depends on the fabric your choose. The key point is to ensure they are resilient and compact. Fabrics that deform or allow the weave to open up when pulled tight should not be used. There are lots of practical and durable fabrics that are easy to maintain that you can use to ensure a long life for your sofa. See the list of fabrics we published in the first entry of this POST (Keys for choosing decoration fabrics Part 1).
Many fabrics leave the factory with treatments that facilitate cleaning and enhance resistance. The most frequent treatments given to quality fabrics are fireproofing, anti-staining and anti-wrinkling. These technologies can be applied on just about any kind of fabric. They are ideal for homes where there are children, teenagers and pets, because they solve cleaning problems and give you more peace of mind.
Sofa: Solara 10 – Cushions: Evora 17 · Novara 18 from the Rústika 15/16Book by Aquaclean
It is a good idea to reinforce the areas where more friction will be exerted on an armchair, with covers made in the same fabric. You can do this by having armrest covers made for protection, as these also assist in daily cleaning. But sometimes the beauty of a sofa is compromised by so many covers and additions. If you don't like this, there's another solution.
Fabric thickness is no guarantee of quality and resistance. In case of doubt, expert advice is always recommendable, because fabric composition, type of fabric and maintenance and cleaning possibilities are really the things that ensure duration over time.
Therefore, as we have already stressed previously, we recommend that you put yourself in the hands of professionals when it comes to choosing the best fabric for your sofa.
If you have any questions about this, at AquacleanCONTACT we will be happy to lend you our assistance. Thank you for placing your trust in us.
