The WorkRoom Glossary of Fabrics & Wallpapers
The WorkRoom Fabric & Wallpaper Glossary
Welcome to The WorkRoom Glossary — your guide to understanding the materials, techniques, and finishes that define luxury interiors. Whether you’re selecting the perfect fabric or choosing a wallcovering, this glossary helps you make informed, confident decisions.
A
Acetate – A semi-synthetic fiber made from cellulose derived from wood pulp. Known for its smooth, silky texture and elegant drape.
Abstract Wallpaper (Shop by Type) – Wallpaper featuring modern, non-representational designs for contemporary interiors.
Acrylic – A synthetic fiber known for softness and durability, often used in blends to mimic wool or enhance upholstery performance.
Acoustical Wallpaper (Shop by Type) – Wallpaper designed to improve room acoustics while adding texture and style.
Alpaca – A natural fiber from the alpaca animal, valued for its silky feel, warmth, and luxurious drape.
Animal / Insect Wallpaper (Shop by Type) – Decorative wallpaper featuring wildlife or insect motifs, ideal for playful or nature-inspired spaces.
Appliqué – A decorative technique where fabric shapes are sewn onto a base fabric to create a raised pattern or design.
Artisan Wallpaper – Handcrafted wallpaper made using traditional methods, such as block printing or hand-painting, offering unique texture and character.
Asian / Chinoiserie Wallpaper (Shop by Type) – Designs inspired by East Asian art and patterns, offering timeless elegance.
B
Bamboo (fiber) – A naturally-derived fiber made from bamboo pulp; soft, breathable, and with antibacterial properties, increasingly used in eco-friendly textiles.
Backing – A secondary layer applied to fabric or wallpaper to provide strength, stability, or ease of installation.
Basket Weave – A weave variation where two or more warp yarns are interlaced with the same number of weft yarns, resulting in a surface that resembles a basket motif.
Batiste – A lightweight, fine plain-weave fabric, often made of linen or blended fibers, used for sheers or linings.
Blackout Fabric (Shop by Type) – Fabric specially designed to block light, often used for drapery, curtains, or shades in bedrooms and media rooms.
Bird’s Eye – A woven pattern that features small diamond shapes, giving a textured appearance; used in suiting fabrics and interior textiles.
Boho Style Wallpaper (Shop by Type) – Eclectic, free-spirited patterns perfect for creative or casual interiors.
Brocade – A rich, decorative woven fabric with raised designs, often featuring metallic threads for a luxurious finish.
Bolt – A standard roll of fabric, typically measuring 30–60 yards in length depending on the material.
Botanical & Floral Wallpaper (Shop by Type) – Designs inspired by plants, flowers, and foliage.
Botanical Print (Shop by Type) – Wallpaper or fabric featuring floral, leaf, or plant-inspired motifs, often used to bring a natural element indoors.
Bouclé Fabric (Shop by Type) – A textured fabric made from looped yarns, creating a “nubby” surface, ideal for upholstery, throws, or accent pieces.
C
Calendered – A finishing process where fabric or paper is passed through heated rollers to create a smooth, glossy, or slightly embossed surface. Often used to enhance sheen, texture, or durability in luxury fabrics and wallpapers.
Chenille Fabric (Shop by Type) – A soft, plush fabric with a velvety surface, often used for upholstery or drapery.
Chinoiserie – A design style inspired by East Asian art and motifs, frequently used in wallpaper and fabric for classic, sophisticated interiors.
Chintz Fabric (Shop by Type) – Typically printed and glazed cotton fabric with floral or decorative patterns, used in interiors and upholstery.
Check/Plaid Wallpaper (Shop by Type) – Wallpaper featuring checked or plaid patterns, suitable for classic or casual interiors.
Cotton Fabric (Shop by Type) – A natural fiber known for breathability and versatility, used across upholstery, drapery, and printed fabrics.
Cork Wallpaper (Shop by Type) – A natural wallcovering made from thin layers of cork veneer, offering texture, warmth, and acoustic benefits.
Crypton Fabric (Shop by Type) – A high-performance fabric engineered for stain and moisture resistance, ideal for homes with children or pets.
Cut Velvet – Velvet fabric with sections cut away to reveal a contrasting ground, creating an elegant pattern and dimension.
D
Damask Wallpaper (Shop by Type) – Wallpaper featuring classic woven-style motifs, elegant and timeless.
Damask – A reversible woven pattern featuring matte and shiny surfaces, perfect for adding timeless elegance to upholstery or drapery.
Diamond Wallpaper (Shop by Type) – Wallpaper with repeated diamond-shaped motifs, classic or modern depending on design.
Dots/Circles Wallpaper (Shop by Type) – Wallpaper featuring dots or circular patterns, suitable for playful or contemporary spaces.
Double Roll – Wallpaper sold in standard double-length rolls for efficiency and consistency during installation.
Drop Match – A wallpaper pattern match where each subsequent strip is “dropped” by a portion of the pattern repeat, creating a diagonal alignment.
Dupioni Silk – A crisp, slub-textured silk with natural irregularities, prized for drapery and high-end design applications.
Dye-Lot / Run Number – The batch number in which fabric or wallpaper is produced; matching dye-lots ensures color consistency.
E
Embossed Wallpaper – Wallcovering with a raised texture, adding depth and tactile interest to walls.
Embroidery / Crewel (Shop by Type) – Decorative stitching applied to fabric or wallpaper for ornamental design and texture.
Eucalyptus Fiber – A sustainable fabric made from wood pulp, known for softness and eco-friendly properties.
F
Fabulous Faux (Shop by Type) – Wallpaper that mimics luxurious materials such as marble, stone, or wood.
Faux Finish – A decorative surface treatment that mimics materials like marble, leather, or wood. Available in both wallpaper and fabric designs.
Faux Fur Fabric (Shop by Type) – Synthetic fur with the look and feel of real fur, used for throws, pillows, and upholstery accents.
Faux Grasscloth (Shop by Type) – Wallpaper mimicking the look of natural grasscloth but with easier maintenance.
Faux Leather / Vegan Leather (Shop by Type) – A synthetic alternative to genuine leather, offering durability, style, and easy maintenance.
Faux Suede Fabric (Shop by Type) – Soft synthetic fabric resembling suede, durable and easy to maintain.
Flock Wallpaper – Wallpaper featuring velvety patterns created by applying fine fibers to a printed adhesive base.
Floral Print – A perennial favorite, with motifs ranging from traditional blooms to bold, modern interpretations.
G
Geometric Wallpaper (Shop by Type) – Wallpaper featuring geometric shapes such as triangles, squares, or abstract patterns.
Grasscloth Wallpaper (Shop by Type) – A natural wallcovering handwoven from grasses, jute, bamboo, or hemp, loved for its organic texture and variation.
Gingham Fabric – A checked cotton fabric, simple and charming, often used for curtains and casual interiors.
Ground – The base layer or background fabric onto which a pattern is printed or woven.
Iconic Wallpaper (Shop by Type) – Wallpaper featuring signature or classic design motifs recognized in luxury interiors.
Ikat Wallpaper (Shop by Type) – Wallpaper featuring blurred geometric patterns inspired by traditional Ikat weaving techniques.
H
Hand-Blocked Wallpaper – Each pattern is printed by hand using carved wooden blocks, creating artisanal detail and character.
Hemp – An eco-friendly natural fiber that’s strong, breathable, and sustainable.
Herringbone (weave) – A V-shaped weaving pattern resembling the skeleton of a herring fish, often found in twill fabrics and classic textiles.
Horizontal Repeat – The distance between repeating patterns across the width of the fabric or wallpaper.
I
Indoor/Outdoor Fabric (Shop by Type) – Fabric engineered to withstand moisture, sun exposure, and wear, ideal for patios or sunrooms.
J
Jacquard Fabric – Woven fabric with intricate patterns created on a jacquard loom, often used for upholstery and drapery.
Jute – A natural plant fiber with a coarse texture, frequently used in natural weaves and wallcoverings.
L
Lisle Finish / Lisle Yarn – A finish applied to yarns or fabrics (especially long-staple cotton) to make them smooth and even; often associated with higher-quality textiles.
Liner Paper – A heavy-weight paper or vinyl liner installed beneath decorative wallpaper to smooth walls or cover panels/seams.
Linen Fabric – A natural fiber made from flax, prized for its crisp hand, breathable quality, and timeless appeal.
Luster – The sheen or reflective quality of a fabric or wallpaper surface.
M
Matelassé – A quilted-look fabric woven to appear padded or embossed, ideal for bedding and upholstery.
Metallic Wallpaper – Wallcovering with reflective foils or inks for a subtle shimmer or dramatic glamour.
Mohair Fabric – A luxurious, silky fiber from the Angora goat, known for its sheen and durability.
Multipurpose Fabric – Fabric suitable for a variety of uses, including drapery, upholstery, or accessories.
N
Natural Fiber Fabric – Textiles derived from plants or animals, such as cotton, silk, wool, and linen.
Non-Woven Wallpaper – A modern, easy-to-install wallpaper made from synthetic and natural fibers. Paste can be applied directly to the wall.
P
Pattern Repeat – The distance before a pattern repeats on fabric or wallpaper, essential for calculating yardage.
Performance Fabric – Engineered for durability, stain resistance, and easy cleaning, perfect for high-traffic areas.
Printed Wallpaper – Designs applied by digital, rotary, or screen printing techniques, offering a range of artistic effects.
R
Railroaded Fabric – Fabric woven or printed so the pattern runs across the width of the bolt rather than the length. Ideal for long horizontal applications.
Raffia Wallpaper – Woven from palm fibers, raffia wallpaper adds texture, warmth, and natural beauty.
Rayon – A semi-synthetic fiber with a silky hand and elegant drape, often used in blends.
Repeat Match – How a wallpaper pattern aligns from strip to strip — straight match, drop match, or random match.
Random Match (Free Match) – A pattern that does not require alignment with the previous strip, simplifying installation and reducing waste.
S
Sateen Fabric – A smooth cotton weave with a slight sheen, commonly used for drapery and bedding.
Silk Fabric – A luxurious natural fiber with luster and strength, ideal for draperies and accent fabrics.
Sisal – A coarse natural fiber derived from agave leaves, often used in wallcoverings and rugs.
Solid Wallpaper – Wallpaper with a single color or subtle texture, ideal for grounding a room or mixing with patterns.
Stripe Wallpaper – Wallpaper featuring stripes; classic or modern depending on scale and color.
Stripe Fabric – Fabric featuring stripes, often used in drapery or upholstery.
T
Taffeta Fabric – A crisp fabric (often silk or synthetic) with a smooth surface, used in formal applications, drapery, or accent cushions.
Textured Fabric / Wallpaper – Material with a raised or tactile surface that adds dimension to interiors.
Toile Wallpaper – Wallpaper depicting scenic or pastoral imagery, often printed in a single color on a light ground.
Trellis / Lattice Wallpaper – A geometric lattice pattern popular in both modern and traditional interiors.
Trompe l’Oeil Wallpaper – A decorative design technique creating the illusion of three-dimensional objects on a flat surface.
U
Unpasted Wallpaper – Wallpaper without adhesive applied at the manufacturing stage; requires paste during installation.
Pre-Pasted Wallpaper – Wallpaper with adhesive already applied to the back, activated by water for easier installation.
Upholstery Fabric – Durable fabric designed for furniture applications.
V
Velvet Fabric – A rich pile fabric with a smooth, soft surface, synonymous with luxury.
Vinyl Wallpaper – Durable, washable, and moisture-resistant, vinyl wallcoverings are ideal for kitchens and baths.
Voile Fabric – A sheer, transparent fabric in plain weave with tightly twisted yarns; often used for lightweight curtains or layered window treatments.
Viscose – A semi-synthetic fiber used to add luster and drape to fabric blends.
W
Wallpaper Panel / Mural – Large-scale printed designs installed as panels to create a mural effect.
Whimsical Wallpaper – Fun, playful designs often used in children’s rooms or creative spaces.
Wool Fabric – A natural fiber known for warmth, resilience, and softness, used in upholstery, drapery, and blends.
Woven Fabric – Textiles created by interlacing yarns at right angles, including many upholstery and drapery fabrics.
Z
Zigzag Weave (Chevron) – A repeating V-shaped pattern found in woven fabrics and printed wallpapers, adding energy and movement to interiors.
Explore More
At The WorkRoom, we proudly offer the full range of designer fabrics and wallpapers — from iconic brands like Scalamandré, Sandberg, Colony, and Old World Weavers to contemporary performance lines.
Shop online or contact us to order samples and trade-exclusive designs.