TEXTILE TIPS: The 6 Important Criteria of Fabric Selection

We often receive calls from interior designers asking us about the fabrics they are specifying for a client and wondering how they will hold up over time with use. Your design projects are all encompassing. It may seem like fabric selection may not be the largest part. Yet, it is important to make great choices that will stand the test of time. Selecting the right fabric, and protecting it will keep your designs look fresh for years to come, having a big impact on your clients happiness.

The next time you are specifying fabrics consider these 6 criteria -

Color, Style, Client Satisfaction, Suitability, Cleanability and Longevity.

We will leave the color, style and client satisfaction to you - but are happy to help when it comes to suitability, cleanability, and longevity. Learn more…

COLOR

Color and texture are what attract us to textiles and it’s the designer’s trained eye that is best for making those choices.

STYLE

Almost indefinable in the design process, style is so important – making sure that fabrics work together well, that they carry off the look the designer is trying to create, that they send a “message” about the room or the home.

CLIENT SATISFACTION

This is always an important consideration and sometimes it is hard to balance what a client thinks he or she wants – and what will work in the design scheme. We have found that designers want to make choices that are both pretty AND practical but are sometimes foiled by those clients who insist on white, weird, or family- unfriendly fabrics.

SUITABILITY/DURABILITY

A beautiful fabric can light up a room – but regardless of the look, sometimes it is just not a good choice. A white silk in a sunny room is a good example: White silks tend to yellow over time and silk is very susceptible to sun damage. Needlepoint carpets and rugs are lovely but they are not really suited to stairways and may not be durable when subjected to constant use or the paws and nails of the family pets.

CLEANABILITY

In a room that is used constantly, cleanability is an important consideration. Certain fibers are simply more cleanable than others. Using a fabric with a rayon pile (or any significant rayon content) on a family room sofa can be a disaster for the client when he or she realizes that rayon is difficult to maintain. This does not mean that EVERY fabric selection must be steel-like and dull, only that fabrics and carpets specified for high-use areas should be able to withstand both spotting and overall cleaning so that they can be enjoyed without worry by the client. One-of-a-kind exotics have their place in every design plan, but they should not be selected for areas of high use.

LONGEVITY

Longevity should always be part of the selection criteria. Choosing quality fabrics that will last and safeguarding them with soil and stain protection are the final steps in making a professional selection. One way to assure clients that longevity has been considered is to talk to them about fabric protection DURING the selection process, rather than thinking of it as an “add-on.” Letting the client know about resources that can help them with maintenance, cleaning and aftercare shows the client that you respect the costs they are incurring and want to help them protect their investment. Without proper care, fabrics can “ugly out” long before they wear out and that can be an unpleasant surprise that leads to client dissatisfaction.

While no one can determine how long a certain fabric will last, making selections with these criteria in mind should certainly help you and your client conclude that you have done your best to choose the best!

BEST IN CLASS FABRIC PROTECTION

For field testing of fabrics or additional information to help you make good choices, call us. We continuously study fabrics, AND we also see them installed in homes and offices and know how they stand up to everyday use and care.

 While no fabric protection or aftercare program can remedy an inappropriate selection, introducing your client to Fiber-Seal at the time the fabrics are chosen will allow them to enjoy their new fabrics with confidence. It allows you to keep your eye on the design, when we offer the peace of mind.