You could know every fabric name in the book, or have read EVERY article I’ve ever written about performance fabrics.
But do you know off the top of your head which room each is ideal in?
To understand that, you have to put into words what each room in your home actually demands of the fabrics that are used there.
Selecting fabrics has never been about memorizing weave counts or fiber qualities. It’s about starting with the space. What’s the room’s purpose? How is fabric going to be used there? From there, you see upholstery selections clearly.
Curious for some examples?
Let’s walk through each room of the home and see what all this means in practice…
Fabric in Living Rooms
The living room is an environment that nurtures conversation, reading, quiet moments, and family time. Comfort and livability take the lead here.
The upholstery used in living rooms needs to feel inviting (to the touch) while remaining tough enough to withstand constant use. It has to balance in beauty, too, because you’ll surely have guests in the space regularly!
Your checklist of what fabrics in this space should do:
- Soften acoustics for open spaces
- Balance formality or relaxation through tailoring and texture
- Showcase high-performance textiles for stain resistance and durability
- Define comfort standards for the entire home
Fabric in Media Rooms and Family Rooms
This space is the “kick off your shoes” room, whether for downtime or for entertainment. And in almost every case, it nurtures togetherness.
The upholstery here needs to ensure comfort and function…together. Think plush, deep seating and fabrics that handle everything from popcorn nights to pet naps.
Your checklist of what fabrics in this space should do:
- Deliver lounge-worthy comfort
- Offer water-based or wipeable cleaning
- Absorb sound for better acoustics
Fabric in Dining Rooms
The dining room is where conversation stretches out over dinner and guests linger long after dessert. It’s framed by hard surfaces—wood, glass, and metal—and yet fabric is still the element responsible for softening the scene and inviting people in.
Dining room upholstery selections need merge comfort with elegance. They should feel indulgent to the touch, but remain practical for meals and gatherings.
Your checklist of what fabrics in this space should do:
- Add warmth and refinement to the space
- Provide ergonomic comfort for extended sitting
- Integrate tone and texture with the adjacent rooms
- Offer pattern or color interest without distraction
Fabric in Kitchens
Now let’s walk into the hub of the home!! Not a lot of fabric here…this is a high-traffic space that’s directly in view of main living areas in many homes.
The upholstery does come into play in kitchen nooks, though, and the fabrics there need to be functional first, comfortable second, and coordinated always. Easy-clean materials are key!!
Your checklist of what fabrics in this space should do:
- Add softness to an otherwise utilitarian zone
- Remain wipeable (or performance-grade materials)
- Unify the palette or style between kitchen and living areas
Fabrics in Primary Bedrooms
The bedroom. Your private retreat. This environment is restorative and deeply personal.
The upholstery in your bedroom should feel indulgent and quiet. Think padded headboards, rich textures, and thoughtful linen selections that create sanctuary-level comfort.
Your checklist of what fabrics in this space should do:
- Define a sense of calm and comfort
- Add texture that you personally identify with
- Reinforce luxury through craftsmanship
- Improve acoustics
Fabric in Guest Bedrooms
Guest rooms carry the quiet promise of hospitality. And your upholstery selections help define that welcoming pause for friends or family.
Selections here require comfort and character. Because this is also an opportunity to express style more freely and leave loved ones with lasting impressions, all without sacrificing coziness!!
Your checklist of what fabrics in this space should do:
- Create warmth and approachability
- Offer thematic or playful design expression
- Provide padded comfort (e.g., in headboards or chairs)
Fabric in Home Offices and Studies
The home office sits at the intersection of focus and inspiration. And it’s not filled with fabrics, but the choices you do make have an impact on a potentially BIG chunk of your time every week.
The upholstery used in a home office brings ergonomic comfort with focused personal expression…all while supporting good acoustics!!
Your checklist of what fabrics in this space should do:
- Improve sound quality
- Provide ergonomic support
- Add warmth and a look you find either comforting or inspiring
- Introduce texture without distraction
Fabric in Formal Sitting Rooms
The parlor or any other formal living area is designed for conversation and style, typically becoming one of the most visually refined spaces of your home.
The upholstery you select should be sculptural, luxurious, and a showcase of craftsmanship most of all.
Your checklist of what fabrics in this space should do:
- Set your preferred level of “refinement” in look and feel
- Encourage conversation through color and placement
- Highlight craftsmanship through quality detailing
- Echo your home’s architectural style
Fabric in Home Theaters
The home theater is immersive!! And the fabrics you choose play a part in that.
Home theater upholstery selections should disappear into the experience. They support comfort and acoustics while notreflecting light.
Your checklist of what fabrics in this space should do:
- Provide plush comfort with preferred textures
- Use matte, dark textiles to prevent glare
- Absorb sound to improve audio quality
Fabric in Game Rooms
Have a casual gathering zone for play, hobbies, or hangouts? The upholstery you use there matters, too!!
This upholstery needs to be fun, durable, and flexible…in other words, built for activity but designed for personal style.
Your checklist of what fabrics in this space should do:
- Resist stains and wear
- Add lively color or texture
- Promote interaction through comfort
Fabric in Entryways or Foyers
The entry is your home’s handshake. First impressions matter!!
Any upholstery used here should convey hospitality and intention. Intentionality is especially important here because, let’s face it, there won’t be a lot of fabric in this space. (For example, ever considered a tailored bench or settee?)
Your checklist of what fabrics in this space should do:
- Offer a tactile cue of welcome
- Introduce softness and approachability
- Connect design themes or elements from adjacent spaces
Fabric in Mudrooms
This is another special “work” zone of the home, but also a space where there won’t be much (if any) upholstery. But if you do have a selection with fabric, what should it do?
That upholstery has to be durable, cleanable, and practical, but also blend with your home’s aesthetic.
Your checklist of what fabrics in this space should do:
- Provide cushioned functionality
- Use wipeable, performance materials
- Add a touch of warmth in a utilitarian area
Fabric in Sunrooms
Here’s a space where you soak in daylight and a breathe in oxygen-rich air from your home plants!! That sunlight, though…that’s one of the key factors determining what the upholstery in your sunroom should do.
Fabrics here must resist fading and handle moisture shifts. Aesthetically, they usually feel breezy and relaxed.
Your checklist of what fabrics in this space should do:
- Be fade-resistant and high-performance
- Encourage relaxation with materials that feel and look airy
- Reflect the outdoor palettes you love
Fabric in Outdoor Living Spaces
Outdoor areas are extensions of your home’s interior personality, but bridged into the exterior architecture and the nature you nurture around you.
Upholstery for outdoors living spaces must withstand elements in a BIG way, but these days, that doesn’t mean losing comfort, or even elegance.
Your checklist of what fabrics in this space should do:
- Use weatherproof and UV-stable textiles
- Define different outdoor zones (e.g., with colors or patterns)
- Integrate seamlessly with with interior fabrics for indoor-outdoor continuity
Fabric in Nurseries or Kids’ Rooms
This is a space of joy—and flexibility!!
The upholstery here should feel soft but also be safe and washable. Play and peace have to go together!
Your checklist of what fabrics in this space should do:
- Ensure comfort and safety
- Be washable and high-performance
- Incorporate joyful colors and textures
Fabric in Home Gyms
This space is active and energizing but still part of a cohesive home design. Think there’s never any upholstery here? Think again! Even the leather on your bench is a fabric choice. There’s also any soundproofing you might install, plus the fabrics in any recovery-focused seating.
Upholstery in a home gym needs to be practical so you can maintain it, even after leaving sweat marks on the same bench several days in a row.
Your checklist of what fabrics in this space should do:
- Support recovery and relaxation areas
- Provide functional padding and durability
- Improve acoustics in hard-surfaced rooms
My Final Two Cents…
When chosen according to how you truly use a space, fabric becomes a strategic part of the experience. Make your home beautiful, yes, but also build it to be beautifully lived in.
About the author:
Robin Burrill, RID, NCIDQ, ASID, IDS, CAPS, is an award-winning professional kitchen, bath, and interior designer. Robin and her husband, Robert Mathews, have owned Signature Home Services, Inc. for over three decades, establishing a superior in-house team with a widespread reputation for delivering meticulous design to their many repeat clients.
In 2022, the national publication, Kitchen and Bath Design News magazine, named Robin to their Top Innovator list in recognition of her achievements in the field of kitchen and bath design. In 2024, she was named one of the Fall 2024 Market Pros and “tastemakers” by ANDMORE at High Point Market. Also in 2024, Fixr identified her as one of the Top Professional Interior Designers for their nationwide audience. At the start of 2025, she then acted as one of Dallas Market’s “Style Eyes” at Lightovation and Total Home & Gift Market.
Over her extensive career, Robin has been quoted in Architectural Digest and Forbes multiple times; her design work has been featured in top national trade publications; and she has been interviewed for Designers Today magazine’s “Profiles in Design” video series, among others. Widely respected for the depth of her knowledge, Robin is a sought after speaker and judge for many design industry events.
In 2023, Robin designed a bench for Charleston Forge, making her foray into product design. Robin currently serves as a volunteer on the board of the Dallas/Ft. Worth chapter of the Interior Design Society.
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