Winter has come in the door, and as the nights draw in and you spend more time indoors, it’s time to look for ways in which you can snuggle up at home in style. And an instant way in which you can do that is by changing the furnishings. Which furnishing fabric are we most excited about this winter? Soft, warm and lustrous chenille.

Chenille is a good bet if you want to infuse a conservative appeal into your décor, as well as for the times when you want your space to evoke a contemporary impression. For a modern look, opt for chenille in simple plains, or ones with solid stripes and clean geometric patterns. If your space sports a more conventional interior, then try chenille with intricate floral patterns. However, the interesting variety of designs is not the only reason experts have fallen in love with chenille. Why is chenille a hot favourite this winter? We list the top 5 things experts love about this fabric:

1. Chenille is sensuously soft 

Chenille fabric is a cosy, plush fabric that is soft to the touch. Do you know what gives chenille its characteristic soft and fuzzy feel? Chenille is made by wrapping short lengths of fabric, which are referred to as piles, between two core yarns. The edges of the resulting pile stands at right angles to the core yarns and gives chenille both its softness and its characteristic look. In addition, chenille, with its high thread counts makes for tight weaves, which further adds to its softness. Use the soft personality of chenille to give a comfy feel to your upholstery and cosy up in style this winter. If you’ve opted for vivid colours on the walls of your bedroom, soft chenille can bring the focus back to the main feature of your bedroom—the bed.

2. Chenille can be made from a variety of fabrics

Have you noticed how fabrics such as wool are named specifically for the type of fibres that they are crafted from? That’s not the case with chenille. While the fabric piles used to create chenille are mostly cotton, you can also find chenille made from a blend of rayon, acrylic, polyester and olefin fibres. Looking for furnishings for your space that keeps the heat in this winter? Then opt for chenille made of cotton, a fabric that keeps anything and everything toasty. Chenille in acrylic is also great for conserving heat, not to mention is resistant to stains and wrinkles too.

3. Chenille is versatile 

Chenille is not known simply as a fabric that is soft. This plush textile is extremely versatile too. You’ll love chenille at home this winter, for this fabric is perfect for creating cosy comforters and bedcovers as well as for upholstering everything from cushions to ottomans and headboards. Add finishing touches to your cosy retreat this winter by opting for chenille in window accents such as draperies, valances, curtains and swags. Whichever way you use chenille, consider doing some mix and match—pair chenille in dainty patterns with those in bolder designs to make your décor look more interesting.

4. Chenille is long-lasting 

Want to upholster your sofa in chenille, but fear that it may suffer quite a bit of wear from the extended indoor use this winter? No worries! There are some fabrics that are popular for both their looks and durability, and chenille is one of them. Crafted from raised loops of yarn, chenille fabrics come in both loosely woven and tightly woven variants. Just like with any other textile out there, tightly woven chenille will last longer. This means if cared for properly, this soft and beautiful fabric can add charm to your space for many years. It is this resilient nature of chenille that makes it an ideal choice for furniture in your family room or den.

5. Chenille is iridescent 

Think winter furnishings are too dull to suit your taste? Add drama and visual intrigue to your décor by opting for furnishings crafted from chenille. Why? Chenille can appear iridescent without actually using iridescent fibres. Observe chenille up close, and you’re sure to notice how it has a different shade depending on the direction from which the light is shining and the also on the way you hold the fabric.

So how are you going to incorporate chenille into your home this winter?

Source: www.ddecor.com/blog