Low-cost fabrics for drapes, upholstery, and carpets can be easy on the budget and also look good, says Leena Sidenur To come back to a rela...
Low-cost fabrics for drapes, upholstery, and carpets can be easy on the budget and also look good, says Leena Sidenur
To come back to a relaxing place and feel extremely comfortable and to unwind, the home should feel like a haven. This can be made possible by using different parameters to decorate a home. Good fabric is one of them. Interiors with free-flowing curtains, lots of carpets, and thick upholstered furnishings can be a very cosy and soothing sight indeed. Plush table cloths, intricate tapestries on the ceiling and the walls can be really overwhelming sometimes. In a bid to use fabric just everywhere and also due to impulsive buying of expensive cloth, one ends up wasting money and effort. Instead, if the fabric content of the entire home is well planned and executed, one can afford to use even priceless fabrics during special occasions.
The furnishings, floor dressings, and window and door coverings put together impart a certain personality to the living space. As much as colour co-ordination and pattern matching is important, so also is the look and feel of the fabric.
Curtains
Curtains should be decided based upon how well naturally lit the room is. If the room is poorly lit, go for thin curtains and a single layer. However, if you are lucky to have direct sunshine, a dual layer of curtains works best. A thick layer of handloom cotton or glazed cotton, which partially filters the light, can be put. On the front, hang in sheer curtains and tie these with nice and attractive bangles to lend charm to the windows. A set of sheer curtains in organza or tussar silk can cost a fortune. You can settle for cotton ones which are very thin and delicate with self design patterns. Alternately, an old chiffon saree or dupattas can be retailored to adorn the windows. A glazed cotton curtain for the standard window size would cost about Rs 150 a piece or slightly more, depending on the thickness and quality. When you choose bright colours, make sure that the dyes used are good ones else a cheap deal now may cost you dear later. Synthetic curtains may be used as they are available in beautiful shades of different hues and colours, but are not advisable to be used as they dissipate heat. You can use them in combination with cotton pieces alternately, to create a style statement. Old silk sarees which you do not wear either because they are too old-fashioned or are too heavy can be packed and framed to create an eyecatching tapestry on a bare wall.
Furnishings
Sofas with detachable cushions can be more flexible in terms of maintaining the upholstery fabric. Those in burgundy, black, or shades of dark brown with gold coloured motifs look regal and are available in all stores at reasonable prices. A sofa set with a three seater and two single seats with detachable cushions for the back and the seat would cost about Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000, including the stitching charges. This is of course, considering a thick doublesided interwoven cotton cloth which does not shrink after washing and does not stretch too easily.
Old dupattas can also be stitched together to make a canopy bed for the kids.
Carpets
The floors can be laid with earthy-looking cane mats, lined with cotton and zari borders. These are easily foldable and look pretty and traditional. If you like carpets, go for synthetic ones. These are easy to maintain and use. Dhurries with colourful patterns look great on the floor. A double-sized piece will cost you Rs 2,000 and will last you a lifetime. You can use it for yoga or craft and art work.
Tips
Buy fabric in bulk from wholesale shops at different times of the year to strike good deals
Avoid types of silk like tussar especially for the curtains
Leather sofas can be covered with tailor-made covers for everyday use to protect it from damage
Buy good quality fabric and do not compromise on the colours and the thickness
Courtesy: TimesofIndia
To come back to a relaxing place and feel extremely comfortable and to unwind, the home should feel like a haven. This can be made possible by using different parameters to decorate a home. Good fabric is one of them. Interiors with free-flowing curtains, lots of carpets, and thick upholstered furnishings can be a very cosy and soothing sight indeed. Plush table cloths, intricate tapestries on the ceiling and the walls can be really overwhelming sometimes. In a bid to use fabric just everywhere and also due to impulsive buying of expensive cloth, one ends up wasting money and effort. Instead, if the fabric content of the entire home is well planned and executed, one can afford to use even priceless fabrics during special occasions.
The furnishings, floor dressings, and window and door coverings put together impart a certain personality to the living space. As much as colour co-ordination and pattern matching is important, so also is the look and feel of the fabric.
Curtains
Curtains should be decided based upon how well naturally lit the room is. If the room is poorly lit, go for thin curtains and a single layer. However, if you are lucky to have direct sunshine, a dual layer of curtains works best. A thick layer of handloom cotton or glazed cotton, which partially filters the light, can be put. On the front, hang in sheer curtains and tie these with nice and attractive bangles to lend charm to the windows. A set of sheer curtains in organza or tussar silk can cost a fortune. You can settle for cotton ones which are very thin and delicate with self design patterns. Alternately, an old chiffon saree or dupattas can be retailored to adorn the windows. A glazed cotton curtain for the standard window size would cost about Rs 150 a piece or slightly more, depending on the thickness and quality. When you choose bright colours, make sure that the dyes used are good ones else a cheap deal now may cost you dear later. Synthetic curtains may be used as they are available in beautiful shades of different hues and colours, but are not advisable to be used as they dissipate heat. You can use them in combination with cotton pieces alternately, to create a style statement. Old silk sarees which you do not wear either because they are too old-fashioned or are too heavy can be packed and framed to create an eyecatching tapestry on a bare wall.
Furnishings
Sofas with detachable cushions can be more flexible in terms of maintaining the upholstery fabric. Those in burgundy, black, or shades of dark brown with gold coloured motifs look regal and are available in all stores at reasonable prices. A sofa set with a three seater and two single seats with detachable cushions for the back and the seat would cost about Rs 5,000 to Rs 7,000, including the stitching charges. This is of course, considering a thick doublesided interwoven cotton cloth which does not shrink after washing and does not stretch too easily.
Old dupattas can also be stitched together to make a canopy bed for the kids.
Carpets
The floors can be laid with earthy-looking cane mats, lined with cotton and zari borders. These are easily foldable and look pretty and traditional. If you like carpets, go for synthetic ones. These are easy to maintain and use. Dhurries with colourful patterns look great on the floor. A double-sized piece will cost you Rs 2,000 and will last you a lifetime. You can use it for yoga or craft and art work.
Tips
Buy fabric in bulk from wholesale shops at different times of the year to strike good deals
Avoid types of silk like tussar especially for the curtains
Leather sofas can be covered with tailor-made covers for everyday use to protect it from damage
Buy good quality fabric and do not compromise on the colours and the thickness
Courtesy: TimesofIndia
