How to Choose the Right Fabric

How to Choose the Right Fabric

(Studio 198 Guide)

Fabric made perfect.
With so many textures, weaves and finishes across our curated collection, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. This guide simplifies the process — from selecting the right fabric type to understanding durability and end-use — so you choose with confidence and style.

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1. Select the Fabric Type

Start by considering what you will use the fabric for — curtains, upholstery, cushions, headboards — as this will influence weight, weave and finish.

• Woven fabrics: tightly interlaced threads giving structure and durability. Ideal for upholstery, headboards or high-use pieces.

• Curtain sheer fabrics: light, translucent materials that softly diffuse light and add an airy, layered feel to interiors — perfect for living rooms and bedrooms where you want both privacy and brightness.

• Plain / Solid fabrics: perfect to complement a bold print or textured scheme — offers versatility and design balance.

• Outdoor & washable fabrics: designed for durability, resisting UV and stains — suitable for garden rooms or humid spaces.

• Embroidered / luxury textures: add depth and richness to a space, but often best used as accents due to cost or wear considerations.

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2. Understand Fabric Composition

Once you’ve selected the type, look at the composition and finish — it tells you how the fabric behaves and wears.

• Polyester: A durable, easy-care synthetic fabric that resists creasing and fading. Ideal for busy homes, polyester blends work beautifully for curtains and upholstery alike, offering consistent colour, shape retention, and value.

• Velvet: Rich, plush and luxurious — great for formal spaces or statement upholstery, though may require more care.

• Wool / Wool blends: Durable, warm and resilient — a smart choice for high-traffic seating areas.

• Silk / Silk blends: Sheer luxury with fine drape — ideal for curtains in formal rooms, though less forgiving in high-traffic zones.

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3. Match to Your Room’s End-Use & Wear

Think about how the fabric will function in its space:

• Is the piece in a high-use area (family room, children’s room)? Choose a more durable fabric with a higher Martindale rub count.

• Is it in a formal but low traffic zone (guest room, dining room)? A softer luxury fabric may be perfect.

• For drapery, check width: wide-width fabrics (200 cm+) reduce seams and create cleaner hangs.

• If you prefer pattern matching across panels, check the fabric’s pattern repeat to order sufficient length and minimise waste.

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4. Harmonise with Your Interior Scheme

Once technical factors are resolved, shift focus to design — ensuring your chosen fabric complements or anchors your overall aesthetic.

• Use plain fabrics to support a strong pattern elsewhere.

• Use textured or embroidered fabrics to introduce depth where colour is restrained.

• Consider scale: large motifs may overpower a small room; smaller scale fabrics often feel more balanced in compact spaces.

🎨 Studio 198 Tip: Order fabric samples and view them beside your lighting, furniture and wall colour — what looks good in the shop may translate differently at home.

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5. Quick Reference Summary & Tips

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✅ Ready to Choose?

Explore our curated fabric collections at Studio 198 — from wearable linens to luxe velvets