Plain Fabrics

What is a plain fabric?

A plain fabric has a single, unified colour without a printed main pattern, yet its surface can still be rich thanks to weave, pile, sheen or a mélange effect. Linara Fabric 3, Basketweave H Fabric and Kendal Velvet Fabric show how different textures transform the same type of colour-carrying textile. Do view the fabric on a piece of furniture in the visualisation, as colour and texture change across a whole surface.

Which plain fabric works for curtains?

For curtains, choose fabrics with a drape that matches the look you are after. Lighter qualities give soft movement, while denser weaves frame the window more clearly. Calozzo Stretto Fabric, Moonrise Fabric and Lisle Fabric offer different levels of texture and weight. Do view the fabric on a piece of furniture in the visualisation, as colour and texture change across a whole surface.

Which plain fabric works as an upholstery fabric?

For upholstery, choose according to use, durability, cleaning and how the surface responds to pressure. Alston Fabric, Pelleas Fabric and Abacus Velvet Fabric are examples of qualities that can offer both clear colour and a more upholstered, tactile feel. Do view the fabric on a piece of furniture in the visualisation, as colour and texture change across a whole surface.

How do I choose the right colour for a plain fabric?

Choose the colour in the room's actual light and compare it with the walls, timber and floor. A shade can look neutral on screen yet lean towards green, pink or blue in the room. Whistler Fabric, Taiga Fabric and Iris Fabric should therefore always be judged in the room's own light. Do view the fabric on a piece of furniture in the visualisation, as colour and texture change across a whole surface.

How do you combine plain fabrics with patterns?

Plain fabrics work best when they pick up one tone from the pattern without copying the entire colour palette. A calm weave can balance a floral curtain or a checked piece of furniture. Davis Fabric and Stroma Fabric can be used as a unifying base alongside more expressive textiles. Do view the fabric on a piece of furniture in the visualisation, as colour and texture change across a whole surface.

Can I get help choosing a plain fabric?

Yes. Start by using the visualisation on the product page when you are logged in to judge colour and scale. Then visit the showroom at Sturegatan 20 in Stockholm with measurements and photos. There you can compare fabrics, check drape and texture, and discuss curtains, upholstery and other soft furnishings. Do view the fabric on a piece of furniture in the visualisation, as colour and texture change across a whole surface.

Colour becomes more interesting when the surface varies

Plain does not mean flat. Woven threads, pile and subtle shifts mean the colour changes with the light. Allan Fabric, Durant Fabric and Brandon Fabric can therefore feel different over the course of the day, even though each fabric reads as plain.

Do compare different expressions within Designers Guild fabrics, Larsen fabrics and Colefax & Fowler fabrics. They show how texture, material and depth of colour can matter more than a printed pattern.

Curtains, furniture and smaller details

Curtains need drape and the right width, while upholstery fabrics need to withstand friction and hold their shape. Hemsworth Fabric can create a calm expanse of curtain, while Quinton Fabric or Pavillion Velvet Fabric add more depth to an armchair or cushion.

For a wider selection, see GP & J Baker fabrics, G P & J Baker and maximalist fabrics. Although this page is about plains, the patterned alternatives help you understand what kind of calm base the room needs.

Colour in different rooms

In the bedroom, muted shades often work well, particularly for curtains and headboards. In the living room, a stronger colour on an armchair can create a focal point. In the dining room, it is wise to take both daylight and evening lighting into account.

Combine plain fabric with wallpaper, furniture, lighting and rugs by repeating an undertone rather than exactly the same colour. This gives a more natural whole.

Colour, use and longevity

Always check the product's recommended area of use. A beautiful curtain quality is not automatically suitable for a sofa. Look too at how the fabric pleats, whether it marks under pressure and how the surface changes when touched.

For curtains, upholstery and made-to-measure solutions, you can read about bespoke. There it becomes possible to plan fabric quantities, seams, fabric direction and details alongside the room's measurements.

Plain textiles are especially useful when the room already contains several patterns. They give the eye a rest while still carrying a clear colour. By choosing different textures within the same colour family, you gain variety without the whole becoming restless. A matt wool weave, a light linen quality and a deep velvet can sit together because their surfaces respond differently to the light.

Consider the colour's undertone as well. Beige can lean towards pink, yellow or grey; green can be blue, olive or warm and mossy. When the undertone matches the room's fixed materials, it becomes easier to combine the fabric with floors, timber and stone. So judge the fabric in relation to the surfaces that will not be replaced.

On furniture, seams, piping and buttons are part of the expression. A plain fabric makes these details more visible than a patterned one. It is therefore important to decide whether you want to highlight the construction of the piece or create a softer whole. A contrasting edge can add definition, while tone-on-tone feels calmer and more cohesive.

Curtains in plain fabric benefit from being lined when you want better drape, light control and a more finished look. The lining also affects how the colour is perceived from the room. On wide windows, the amount of fabric and the pleating are decisive; too little fabric feels flat, while too much can hide a fine weave.

Plain fabrics also make it easier to work with tonal rooms. Several shades of the same colour can create depth when the materials differ. A darker upholstery fabric, a lighter curtain and a cushion in between can feel more alive than three identical colours. Do compare the shades with one another and consider how they change from morning to evening.

When ordering, fabric width and any directionality matter. Velvet has a pile, some weaves have a distinct thread direction, and other qualities can shift depending on how they are cut. For curtains, the width affects the number of seams, and for furniture the direction can determine how the light falls across seat and back. Careful planning reduces waste and gives a more even result.

Finally, it is wise to order enough fabric from the same dye batch when the project involves several drops or pieces of furniture. Small differences between production runs may otherwise only show once the parts are placed side by side.

Further reading: Martindale