Soft Furnishing, what is it?
It’s as simple as it sounds. Soft furnishing means all furnishing elements that are made of soft material. These complement not only the other furnishing elements but also the architecture of a building.
Energy efficiency can be enhanced because the soft material retains the space heat. Sound insulation is also improved, as the elements absorb the sound. Thus, they provide different atmospheres depending on the type of element.
Thereby material, color, and texture are influencing.
Different types of soft furnishing are presented below.
Curtains
A distinction is made between curtains and decorative shades. The curtains are the translucent screen. The decorative curtains are the surrounding decoration and are usually made of colored, thicker, or patterned material. The curtains can also be used separately.
Curtains create the transition between the outside and the inside. The choice influences the atmosphere of the room, especially during the day.
Cream-colored curtains bathe a room in warm soft light. Blackout or blackout fabrics can also really darken rooms.
Special thermal fabrics can also protect against cold and heat.
There are various systems when attaching curtains. The most common system is to use a wooden or metal curtain rod. The curtain is attached to it either by pleated tape or by loops. A more modern option is to use a steel cable.
Cushions
Cushions are available in countless variations. They are usually filled with foam or down. This is especially true for pillows and sofa cushions. The higher the down content, the lighter and warmer the cushion. For sofa cushions, fleece is also often used as a filling material.
Floor cushions and bean bags have become increasingly popular since the 60s. These adapt to the body individually due to the soft filling. This foam inlet or styrofoam ball filling is characterized by high strength and dimensional stability. The so-called puffs are mostly round.
There are also far more important cushion variations, such as wedge cushions or supportive cushions that enable upright and healthier sitting. Pillows for side sleepers relieve the knees and lumbar spine at night. Thus they provide for restful sleep.
Bedding
When it comes to bedding, you should look for skin-friendly materials, easy-care, and durability. The most popular textiles are cotton, beaver, and satin.
Rugs
Rugs provide a pleasant feeling of walking in the apartment. That is why they are popular in bedrooms and living rooms. They should fit into the color shades of the respective rooms. Contrasts work well. With a dark floor, a carpet in light, mild colors has a stronger effect. On a light floor, a dark carpet acts as a harmonious counterpole.
The dimensions are also ideally dictated by the room. The carpet looks best when it is 60 cm shorter than the shortest wall in the room. If the rug is too large, it will be oppressive and the room will look small.
Wall hangings and tapestries
More atypical are wall hangings and tapestries. They provide comfort and are eye-catchers. Originally they come from Persia and were used not only for decoration but also to cover draughty corners.
When choosing a tapestry, just like a normal carpet, make sure that its size and color fit into the room. The main difference is the material. A wall carpet has the advantage that it can be made of much finer material. It is less stressed than a traditional carpet.
It can be fixed with a metal rod or even an acrylic pane in the case of more valuable specimens.
Sofas and armchairs
A sofa or armchair should be adapted to the room and your needs. Depending on your height and age, certain variants are preferable. A good sofa consists of a frame with a Nosag base. Above this lies a foam core, upholstery wadding, and a fleece.
Models with a raised back or folding headrests are particularly comfortable. The decisive factor for the textiles is the lightfastness. This is divided into levels 1 to 6. For a sofa, levels 4 to 5 are ideal. (6 is used for awnings.) The abrasion resistance is also important This size indicates the abrasion resistance of upholstery fabrics. Optimal for a private household is 15 000 Martindale.
The effect of a sofa can be increased by adding various seating elements and arranging them properly. The seating group should form more or less a rectangle and be arranged about each other.
It is nice if the sofa is formally restrained and the armchairs stand out. This can also be caused by a cover, which can be changed again and again.
Doormats
Doormats are practical to reduce the dirt from outside in the apartment. Besides, it greets every visitor and is the first impression.
The different variations of soft furnishing can create different atmospheres as described in the article. The combination of these in harmony with the architecture creates a pleasant living feeling.
References
- Kleiner Ratgeber für schöne Gardinen – Ideen & Inspiration – Trebes Raumausstattung und Inneneinrichtung
- Kissen – Deko fürs Sofa – [SCHÖNER WOHNEN] (schoener-wohnen.de)
- Bettwäsche mit schönem Design – [SCHÖNER WOHNEN] (schoener-wohnen.de)
- Einrichtungstipp: Moderne Wandbehänge im Trend – DAS HAUS
- Moderne Teppiche & Designerteppiche – [SCHÖNER WOHNEN] (schoener-wohnen.de)
- Du willst ein neues Sofa kaufen? Beachte diese 15 Tipps! (sofa-berater.de)
- Schöner Wohnen Kollektion Fußmatten bei tepgo kaufen. Versandkostenfrei ab 40 EUR!
- Welcher Teppich für welchen Raum? | home24
