Using linen fabrics in your home decor

Are you one of the 44.1 million Americans who are renting your home? Or maybe you're a homeowner wanting to spruce up your decor without breaking the budget.

Wallpaper and paint are excellent ways to change up your interior, but they're not always practical and installation can be messy. Enter, fabric.

Fabric is the perfect addition to any home. It can fit your budget, you can use it in every room in the house, and the colors and patterns are endless!

But for an added touch of luxury, linen fabric is the way to go. Three times as strong as cotton, linen offers a durable, beautiful, and versatile home fabric. Plus, it's sustainable to boot.

Are you interested in smartening up your home with linen but don't know where to start? Don't worry, we've got you covered. Keep reading to find out how to update it instantly with linen fabric.

What Is Linen?

Linen fabric is made from flax fibers. Those tiny flaxseeds you add to your cereal actually grow into a plant that eventually gets spun into yarn.

Humans have loved and used linen as a luxury fiber for millennia, and it was the favorite fabric in Ancient Egypt.

As a clothing fabric, it is lightweight and cool. But linen will add a sense of elegance to your home all year round.

Types of Linen Fabric

When it comes to using linen in your home, you'll have three main linen fabrics weights to choose from. The weight you choose will depend on what your linen will finish up as.

Light Linen

Lightweight linen fabric is semi-sheer and is a perfect choice for window curtains and blinds. It can also be used for tablecloths, napkins, and pillowcases.

Medium Linen

Mediumweight linen is less transparent. Use it for curtains and blinds that allow less light into the room. You can also use it for cushions and upholstery coverings.

Heavy Linen

Heavyweight linen fabric is thicker and lets in the least light. Use heavy linen for bedroom curtains and blinds, as well as high-use upholstered furniture like sofas and armchairs.

Linen Fabric Properties

Linen gets softer with use, so if you're buying linen fabric by the yard and are worried it feels a bit stiff, that's something to bear in mind. It also keeps you cool, so is great for chairs, cushions, and blankets on hot summer days, and colder spring evenings.

As a natural fiber, linen dyes well, though you'll often see it in natural colors too.

And if you've ever worn linen, you know that it's prone to creasing. While this isn't a problem for heavy linen upholstery fabric, lightweight linen will need ironing. Another option is to opt for linen-cotton blend fabric.

When mixed with cotton, linen becomes softer and more smooth. Cotton linen fabric is also harder to crease than pure linen, so it's a more practical choice for bed sheets and pillowcases, for example.

How to Style Your Fabrics

You've chosen your linen, and you've got some ideas for where to use it. But what about colors?

Patterned Fabric

Patterned linen fabric is great for any project, but use patterns wisely. Too many contrasting prints can make a room look busy and small.

Patterned fabric can create a feature in a room, so first, pick out an area you want to highlight. Then, tie in the rest of the room by using the same fabric on smaller pieces.

For example, a bold curtain pattern can be mirrored on smaller cushions propped up on a white linen fabric sofa. A pop of patterned fabric goes a long way and will update a tired room in a flash.

Block Color Fabrics

Another great way to style a room is to use mono-colored fabrics.

White linen fabric adds traditional elegance to any room. And if you combine white, cream, grey, and taupe fabrics together, your room's sophistication level will go through the roof!

Another option is to use a couple of bold colors against more natural ones. For example, teal and pink linen upholstery fabric on a sofa or armchair will add focus and interest to a room. Fill in the rest with more muted, natural tones to create a fun but calming space.

Linen Goes in Every Room

Now you've chosen your color palette, and you're ready to source your linen fabric by the yard. But what will you make with it?

Upholstery

As we've mentioned, furniture upholstery is a key way to transform your home, no paint roller or wallpaper paste required. Add in linen throw cushions and you'll have a cozy room in no time.

Recover armchairs, dining chairs, sofas, and footstools. And remember, furniture is portable! Pick out a bold pattern or color, and if you decide to change your color scheme, just move your piece to a different room.

Curtains and Blinds

Linen is great for window coverings. Choose how much light you want to let in, and then pick your linen weight accordingly.

Always remember that you can add lining to your curtains as well. So, if you fall in love with a particular linen fabric, add a liner and use it as intended.

Tablecloths and Napkins

Tablecloths and napkins add a touch of class to any dining table. Use plain natural fabrics for a simple yet elegant look, stripes for French chic, or a bold pattern for a modern finish.

Use Linen Fabric to Update Your Home Instantly

Without a doubt, linen fabric adds style, class, sophistication, and fun to any room, and every home. Its durable and strong qualities make it perfect for upholstery and curtains. And it's even soft and lightweight enough to sleep on!

With so much going for linen fabric, you'll want to showcase it in your abode.

Are you ready to choose the linen fabric that's going to transform your home? Check out our online store to see which linens are right for you.

See our collection of linen fabric.