Why Material Matters in Home Decor, Part 3: Cotton
Window Treatments: Brave Maggie Designs, Photographer: Girls at Flourish, Designer: Paige Williams
The materials used in a home’s interior can make or break its design. From a soft, smooth velvet to a luxurious, hardy wool, the right material can influence how a room looks, feels, and functions.
As part of our ongoing fabric series, we’re diving into the materials we use throughout the home, why each one matters, and how to incorporate them into custom drapery and decor.
Today, we’re taking a closer look at cotton.
Cotton offers versatility and durability in both drapery and soft furnishings. At Brave Maggie Designs, we collaborate with interior designers and homeowners to select cotton fabrics that work best for both the design and the room’s purpose.
In this blog post, we’re looking at different types of cotton, what makes this natural fiber so amazing, and how to choose the right cotton for window treatments and other home decor.
Window Treatments: Brave Maggie Designs, Designer: Kathy Simpson
What is Cotton?
Cotton fabric is a natural material made from the fluffy casing surrounding the seeds on cotton plants. Cotton offers many options for a variety of interior design aesthetics. It can come in a variety of colors and patterns, with embroidery details and velvet trim, or be a classic solid color. It is the versatile hero of fabrics.
Cotton is my absolute favorite fabric. It drapes nicely, and it is easy to clean. It also takes steam really well and releases wrinkles without stretching beyond the original measurements. At Brave Maggie Designs, we love creating window treatments with cotton because it produces beautiful folds that stay in place for a long time in the Nashville homes we work on.
Window Treatments: Brave Maggie Designs, Designer: Kathy Simpson
The Types of Cotton
Using 100% cotton is perfect for custom window coverings and soft furnishings. Cotton blends and recycled cotton are also great options that add to cotton’s versatility. Let’s dive into some of the most popular options.
Cotton Chambray
Chambray is a very lightweight cotton that comes in soft, dyed colors. It can work beautifully in cafe curtains and bed canopies.
Cotton Canvas
Canvas is a thicker, sturdier cotton that works best for custom throw pillows and upholstery on hardworking furniture, like benches.
Cotton Twill
Cotton twill is a thicker fabric with a signature diagonal line pattern. It’s commonly used in denim and works great in dining room window treatments for a refined look.
Window Treatments: Brave Maggie Designs, Photographer: Girls at Flourish, Designer: Paige Williams
Cotton Flannel
Cotton flannel is a type of twill that is typically brushed for an extra-soft texture. It’s a signature fabric for Christmas and winter home accents, such as bedding, throw pillows, and throw blankets.
Cotton Blends
Cotton blends can incorporate other natural fibers, such as bamboo or linen for different uses and visual effects. In a cotton-linen blend, the cotton helps stabilize the linen. This blend allows more light in a kitchen, bathroom, or sitting room. Another option is a cotton blend with synthetic fibers like polyester. A high-cotton percentage blended with polyester can look great while helping to reduce wrinkles. Using a cotton-polyester blend can also help reduce costs and keep you on budget.
Performance Cotton
To further increase durability, performance cotton is a great option. It is often made from a blend of several synthetic fibers or a combination of synthetic and recycled cotton.
Karamela Collection, Brave Maggie Designs
How to Pick the Best Cotton for Your Home
Selecting a cotton will depend on the interior design concept, where the fabric will be used, and the role you want it to play within the room. Some of our favorite fabrics come from Romo, Thibaut, Brunschwig & Fils, and our very own Karamela.
For sunroom throw pillows: Performance cotton
For lightweight living room drapery: Cotton linen blend
For luxurious drapery: Cotton silk blend
For bathroom drapery: Cotton chambray
For winter holiday decor: Cotton flannel
In our Franklin showroom, we have a curated selection of high-quality cotton fabrics for interior design projects. In custom window treatments, the cotton helps create really soft, rounded folds, from the pleats all the way to the base of the drapery.
Window Treatments: Brave Maggie Designs, Designer: EH Interiors
Cotton for Custom Window Treatments in Bedrooms
Using 100% cotton is often the preferred option, as higher cotton content means greater stability. However, as mentioned earlier, cotton blends also work and add to cotton’s refined luxury in a bedroom. Cotton drapery can also be layered over sheer drapery to let more light into the room while also adding privacy.
Custom cotton window treatments can be used in a myriad of interior design styles. A soft neutral can suit the organic modern interior style. A floral print or classic plaid can be a perfect fit for a French country living aesthetic. A cotton toile can add character to an otherwise minimal kitchen. Bold prints and colors can be perfect for an eclectic interior.
Our team here at Brave Maggie Designs also considers the practicality of the fabrics for the window treatments. We make recommendations that consider durability, space, and personalization to ensure your design is executed to the highest standard.
Window Treatments: Brave Maggie Designs, Photographer: Girls at Flourish, Designer: Paige Williams
Cotton Roman shades are another popular option for bedroom window treatments. These are another example of cotton's versatility. They combine modern technology with a refined style for a sophisticated interior. This motorized window treatment provides privacy in your home without compromising luxury.
Pillows: Brave Maggie Designs, Designer: Cindy Kreidel
Cotton for Custom Throw Pillows and Cushions
Cotton fabrics are favored for throw pillows for their softness and variety. Bedroom pillows can be made with a cotton-silk blend to pair with luxurious cotton-silk drapery. Throw pillows made with cotton twill are a great option for living room sofas. In a frequently used bench, cotton canvas brings durability.
There are also several decorative cotton options for throw pillows. Our clients often like the look of cotton velvet trims on their custom designer throw pillows, as these add another level of luxury to the decor staple.
Pillows: Brave Maggie Designs
Cotton throw pillows are also a great way to introduce texture to a room. Whether it's through embroidery or ruffles, cotton leaves room for creativity in any space. The pillow bar in our showroom has several options to help clients bring their ideas to life.
Elevate Your Interiors with Custom Cotton Drapery
Cotton is a versatile classic for home decor, particularly in custom window treatments and throw pillows. Our Brave Maggie Designs team facilitates the design process and guides you to the best options for your ideas.
At our showroom, we have a curated selection of high-quality fabrics for drapery in homes in Nashville, Franklin, and Brentwood. We partner with designers and homeowners to create custom window treatments, wallpaper, and soft furnishings suitable for luxury interiors. Our commitment to excellence and craftsmanship ensures that each piece reflects your vision.
Ready to elevate your Nashville home with cotton window treatments? We'll help you understand which cotton works best for your room’s intended purpose. Schedule your visit to our showroom and let's bring your project’s vision to life.