Cool’n Fab

Retesh Sharma

Summers are almost there and most of us are planning to make our space fresh and rejuvenated. Switching your upholstery to colours like olive green, cool blue and beige can help in adding a fresh feel to the sitting area. Apart from the regular fabrics one can check out some different materials that are making waves in the decor circles these days. To curl up little more with your loved ones and to make your abode a fantastic living area let’'s look at the must have fabrics for summers.

Microfiber

It is one of the popular choices in homes for sofa upholstery and can be used on dining chairs as well. These are quite durable and are velvety and soft to touch. Stains of spills can easily be removed by using just a damp cloth. This particular fabric is a great choice for homes with pets and children. 

There is no accumulation of lint or dust on the fabric thus it is great for people who suffer from dust allergies.

Leather

There is a general belief about leather sofa that it gets hot in summer and cold in winter. But this is not true because natural leather keeps the warmth in winter and the freshness in summer.

In fact, this material is a great option for summers, especially as upholstry material for sofas or chairs. In leather you don’t have to worry about the scruff or scratching of the fabric. Nowadays leather can be had in different colours and finishes and it develops more character and softness with age. Leather is very easy to clean and maintain. 

Hemp

Hemp fabrics are prominent for their softness and warmth. These not only give comfort but also provide  a robustness which is rarely found in other fabrics. This fabric is considered to be UV protected and has a special quality that allows clothing or fabrics to remain cool in summer  and warm in winters. 

It blends well with cotton, silk, wool, polyester and many others. Blending it with cotton can be useful for summers. This fabric can easily be used on draperies, upholstery, bedspreads, table linens, sheets, dish towels, canvas, etc.

Hemp is also highly versatile in nature and accepts dyes readily. Also its texture goes on getting softer with each wash.

Vinyl

This is a lesser known but highly recommended fabric for sofa upholstery. Similar to leather in terms of look and feel, its sleek finish can be used to bring an edgy, pop vibe to your interiors. 

These fabrics come in a variety of textures and prints to fit every mood and budget. This also makes it a great choice for reupholstering furniture. 

These are ideal for  kids room or for areas where upholstery can get stained easily.

Bamboo fabric

It is the latest fabric trend that is really in these days. Bamboo is newest in fashionwear, but it can be a good option for upholstery for summers. This fabric is not suitable for curtains, but can be used for cushions and other accessories.

— The writer is Director, Zynna