When it comes to home decor, cloth materials are usually just relegated to curtains and bedsheets. They blend into the background and rarely become a focal point or an accent. We propose to change this mindset! Textiles can work as lovely decorations deserving of the spotlight. Plus, they're (relatively) cheap, are super accessible, and come in endless designs. What more could we ask for?

Here are fantastic ideas to use fabrics as home decor. Try any of these if your space needs a quick refresh!

 

1. Framed patterns

Some cloths have such beautiful designs that they'd look good framed on the wall. Or, if you have an heirloom quilt or a vintage shirt you'd like to preserve in some way, framing it would be a great option. Not only will you be preserving it, you'll be displaying it for your guests to see! A quick Google search of DIY instructions will give you lots of tutorials. The example above is from Susan Carlson Quilts.

 

2. Elevated drapes

To change the look of a room with one easy swap, try a different style of curtains or drapes. Play around with colors and prints. Switch from flowy to boxy, or vice versa. And -- our number one tip -- try hanging your window treatments a few inches higher. It can create the illusion of bigger windows!

Wall art pictured above: Personalized "It's So Good To Be Home" Premium Canvas

 

3. Fresh upholstery

Reupholstering your furniture is a surefire way to update your home, but it can be expensive. The more affordable alternative would be slipcovers, which allow you to choose the fabric type, color, and design. Bonus tip: For an even cheaper option, update just one chair instead of the whole set, and give it an eye-catching new look to turn it into an accent piece!

 

4. Canvas pictures 

Canvas-printed wall art is the happy middle ground between durable and affordable. They're not as expensive or fragile as glass-framed pictures, but they can be just as lovely! At Gear Den, all our canvas prints come with wood backing, so they're ready to hang. Just pick your design, maybe customize it, then hit order!

Wall art pictured above: Personalized Family Name Premium Canvas

 

5. Pretty cushions

Hear us out: there may be bare seats around your house that deserve cushions -- and they could change the ambiance of the space! Imagine your dining room chairs becoming more cushy with upholstery, or your entryway bench turned pretty with a printed cushioned seat. You can even turn a plain side chair into a statement piece with tie-back cushions!

Wall art pictured above: Personalized "This Is Us - Grateful, Thankful, Blessed" Premium Canvas

 

6. Family history wall quote

Here's a super unique way to decorate your wall: hang an art piece that features important dates in your family! It can be, for instance, a custom embroidery or cross-stitching, or even a custom-printed canvas decor. Our example above is a canvas print of your wedding date and children's birthdays, with a wall quote that says "First, we had each other. Then we had you. Now we have everything."

Wall art pictured above: Personalized "Now We Have Everything" Premium Canvas

Love this idea? Check out more wall pieces with dates in our blog post here!

 

7. Sweet table cloth

If there's one thing that can instantly change the look and feel of your dining room, it might just be a table cloth. You can use a festive pattern for a party-ready mood, a minimalist print for an elegant ambiance, or a simple linen for a beautiful wabi-sabi atmosphere.

 

8. Mix-and-match pillows

Whether in your bedroom or living room, pillows are an easy way to play around with colors and designs. Our favorite tip is to layer printed throw pillows on top of plain-colored ones, but making sure they all have a color in common. Don't be afraid to experiment with your pillow combos! P.S. You don't even need new pillow sets each time. At Gear Den, we also make cute pillowcases!

Pillow pictured above: Personalized Name Pillow With Floral Print

 

9. Draped throw blanket

A nice blanket draped over your sofa. That's it. That makes the difference. This is such an effortless way to elevate the look of your living room without even spending a ton of money. The secret here, however, is to use a throw that's 'drape-able' so that it gracefully cascades instead of looking crumpled. A microfiber fleece blanket can do the trick!

Wall art pictured above: "Enjoy Today" Premium Canvas

 

10. Fascinating tapestry

In medieval times, tapestries were large pieces of woven cloth depicting scenes or stories. Today, a tapestry can be pretty much any aesthetic cloth hanging, from painterly landscapes to abstract patterns. Want to make your own? A quick Google search gives you so many tutorials. One of our favorites is the geometric one above from crafty Kelin of Hydrangea Treehouse. It's so calming, isn't it?

 

11. Dreamy headboard

As your bed is the most visible element in your bedroom, any styling you do to it can dictate the mood of the space. Why not re-style the headboard with fabric? A choice textile can make the room feel serene, cozy, romantic, whimsical -- you decide! Bonus tip: No headboard? No problem! Simply position large pillows against the wall to serve as a headboard alternative.

Wall art pictured above: "Soulmates" Premium Panoramic Canvas 

 

12. Fabric wallpaper

With the rise of granny chic or grandmillennial decor styles, dainty wallpapers re-emerged as a darling of the interior decor world. But if premium wallpapers are too pricey, fabrics may be an alternative. Yes, you can install cloth as wallpaper! Pick a lightweight cotton textile, cut to size, use liquid starch to attach it to your wall, and let dry completely.

 

13. Captivating canopy

Canopy beds are often associated with either a child's nursery or an old-fashioned villa bedroom. But savvy crafters all over the internet show us that fabric canopies can be stylish, grownup, and budget-friendly all at once. For example, the no-sew canopy above was made by crafter Teryn at HomeTalk. Would you believe she used a tablecloth for this? Amazing!

 

14. Graphic rug

An eye-catching rug can be as powerful as wall paint when it comes to setting the tone of the room. If painting the room is not feasible, or if you feel that it just looks a little too plain, dress up the floor with a patterned textile in a color you love. Then top off the wall with a pretty art piece in a coordinating color and you're all set!

Metal art pictured above: Personalized "This Is Us" Custom Metal Sign

 

15. Layered rugs

On the subject of rugs, it's common for these floor coverings to be a bit pricey, especially if you're going for a bigger size. Our workaround? Pick two cheaper rugs and layer them instead! For instance, you can choose one plain rug in an affordable material like jute or polyester, then top it off with a smaller but more attractive area rug. Voila -- a stylish floor! 

Here's a bonus example featuring a nice pairing of plain and patterned rugs:

Wall art pictured above: Personalized "This Is Us - Crazy, Loud, Love" Premium Canvas

 

We hope these examples help you appreciate textiles as decor! Next time you shop for a fab addition to your home, browse our throw pillows, blankets, and canvas prints on GearDen. You'll find something to like among our highly rated home items!