As I mentioned in my upholstery fabric post, putting fabric on the walls helps to soften up the feel of a room, and also helps with echo and chilly walls.
Just because it’s sold as “curtain” or “drapery fabric” does not mean it has to go on a window. There are tons of fun ways to use curtain fabrics for other decorating projects. They come in a huge variety of materials and are usually mid-weight, making them perfect for use as slipcovers, bags, duvet covers, bed skirts, lamp shades and even as art (all of the projects on the upholstery post also work with curtain fabrics).
On the walls, you can use fabric to hide messes, create the illusion of a window where there isn’t one, frame it as art, “upholster” your walls (or wall panels), create three-dimensional fabric wall decor (like flowers), use it to partition a room, the list goes on.
Here are some fun fabrics and great ideas:
Photo Curtains
These photo fabric curtains by Dutch designer Bauke Knotterus are fabulous. They would work great as room dividers (or perhaps to hide a sleeping alcove), or even just hanging on a wall. Such a great, creative idea!
Photos: Bauke Knotterus
China & Glass
I think either of these adorable fabrics – “Brunch” and “Boheme” – by French luxury design house Pierre Frey would be perfect to hide messes in a kitchen with open shelving. Or just hung as panels on the kitchen wall.
Photos: Pierre Frey
Fabric Collage
This an adorable example of how you can use scrap pieces (or pages from a fabric book) to create your own wall art. Either use regular picture frames, an old window like they did.
Photo: via Interiörguiden
Magnetic Curtain
This super-creative curtain was invented by Swiss designer Florian Kräutli. It has magnets embedded in the fabric, allowing you to shape it into anything you want (or let it hang straight, I think it looks great just as it is too). I love the idea in the third picture here of having several of them acting as a “mid-room” curtain or room divider.
Photos: Florian Kräutli
Hemp
Last but not least, this is actually a hemp fabric shower curtain (from Rawganique), but it can be used anywhere in the house. I love the bright color, and the fact that it is organic and totally non-toxic, perfect for hanging behind a bed instead of a headboard, or to simulate a window over the bed (I’m thinking bedroom since it’s all natural). And what a cute way of hanging it too!
Photo: Rawganique
For more inspiration, also see my post on outdoor fabric.