Textile decor doesn’t just consist of picking out nice fabrics. It is also about how colours, textures, shapes and details are put together. Even simple materials can look good if you know how to put them together properly.
Have a Focal Point
First, think about what will be the focal point of the composition. A focal point can be a patterned fabric, an unusual texture, a strong colour or a specific detail.
Then, decide on the other fabrics that you will use together with it. The supporting fabrics shouldn’t distract from the focal point but rather support it. This will make your decor easier to look at and will help it to look intentional.
Mix Textures
Adding different textures to a piece of textile decor will make it more visually interesting. You can try combining smooth cotton, rough linen, soft wool, woven fabrics, etc.
It is important, however, not to use too many contrasting textures, because this can look cluttered. Usually, it is better to combine one striking texture with other, less contrasting fabrics.
Limit Your Colour Palette
Using a restrained colour palette is a simple way to make handmade textile decor look more unified. Choose a main colour and add one or two other colours that go well with it.
You don’t have to match every colour in the room. Instead, try to find colours that are present in the room and will work well with the main colour of your textile piece. For example, if there is a particular shade in the curtains, a painting, or an accessory, you can pick up on this colour.
Don’t Fill Every Empty Space
Another common mistake in textile decor is adding extra details, like tassels, embroidery, patterns, buttons, ribbons, etc., simply because you have extra fabric available. While all of these things can be attractive on their own, using too many of them at once will usually make the composition weaker.
Be careful not to add any additional details unless they improve the design. Sometimes, an empty space or a single carefully chosen detail looks much better than multiple decorations.
Use Scale
Consider the size of each detail in the composition. If you are using a very large pattern together with many strong details, the piece may look unbalanced.
Try using different scales for each detail. You can support a big detail with smaller ones, and vice versa. This will help create a hierarchy and will show the viewer what is the most important part of the design.
Take a Step Back
When you are working on a textile project, it’s easy to get distracted by small details and lose sight of the bigger picture.
Take a break now and then, and look at your piece from a distance. Move it around, change the lighting, take a photo and look at it from there. You might see that a certain area looks too busy, a colour needs to be balanced better, or a specific detail distracts from the main idea.
Summary
A balanced textile composition doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be created by using one strong focal point, combining textures, limiting the colour palette, and giving enough visual weight to important elements.
With practice, you’ll develop a sense for when to add another detail to your design and when you’re done.