7 of Our Favorite Cozy Fabrics for Your Next Soft Goods Project

If you’re looking for a way to update your southern home and embrace new trends, adding soft goods (like draperies, pillows, and upholstered furnishings) is a great way to do so. Soft goods can transform the look and feel of any space in your home. There are so many fabrics to choose from that you’re sure to find the perfect option to match your style.

If you want to make your home feel more comfortable and welcoming, we recommend selecting fabrics that are durable yet ultra-soft. Before we explore some of our favorite cozy materials, let’s take a look at what makes fabrics soft:

1. Are the fibers flexible? Materials with flexible fibers tend to feel softer than ones with rigid fibers. We generally recommend natural materials over synthetic textiles because synthetic fabrics are often made from stiff, plastic fibers instead of soft, pliable cellulose.
2. How thick are the fibers? Thinner fibers, like those made from animal hair, create softer fabrics because you’ll need more fibers to develop the material. Thicker fibers lead to heavier fabrics with a rougher texture.
3. How are the fibers woven together? Fabrics made from spun yarn, like cotton, tend to be softer than fabrics created from filament yarn. Spun yarn has a “hairy” texture, which leads to softer textiles.

Now, let’s take a look at seven of our favorite cozy fabrics for your next soft goods project.

1. Bouclé

Bouclé is one of our favorite materials to work with right now, and it’s a huge trend in interior design. It comes from the French word boucler, meaning “curled” or “ringed.” This highly textured fabric is woven from yarn of the same name. The weaver keeps tension on one strand of yarn while keeping the other strand loose. The loose strand forms loops while the other strand acts as an anchor. The result is a beautiful fabric with a nubby texture that’s both visually interesting and ultra-soft. Bouclé is traditionally made from wool yarn but can also be woven from silk, cotton, or linen yarns.

Bouclé is incredibly durable and versatile. We love it for throw pillows and upholstered furniture, like sofas, chairs, and ottomans. We also enjoy using bouclé for draperies because the material blocks light and offers some acoustic absorption.

Read also: Trend Alert: Everything You Need to Know About Bouclé Fabric

2. Sherpa

Sherpa can be made from pure cotton or a blend of polyester and acrylic yarns. It’s designed to look and feel like real fur. Sherpa is often called faux shearling because it resembles the fur-lined clothing worn by the Sherpa people of Nepal. One side of the fabric is wooly with a soft, bumpy texture, while the other is a smooth knit shell. Sherpa is moisture-wicking and easy to maintain. It adds a touch of cozy to any room in your home and can be used on blankets, sofas, or even decorative pillows.

3. Bamboo

Bamboo fabric is made from the fibers of the bamboo plant. Once the plant has grown, it’s mashed into a pulp and mixed with water to create soft fibers. The fibers are then spun into yarn and woven together to create the fabric. This sustainable material is perfect for bedding and blankets because it’s cooling and breathable.

4. Velvet

Velvet initially became popular during the Italian Renaissance but has maintained a steady role in homes ever since. It can be made from pure silk, artificial silk called viscose, linen, or cotton. No matter which variety you choose, you’ll love that the material is delightfully soft. Velvet instantly adds a touch of elegance to any room, and we particularly recommend using it for decorative pillows, draperies, or piping. If you want it to make more of a statement, you can even use it on an upholstered sofa.

Read also: Everything You Need to Know About Decorative Trim & Embellishments

5. Wool

Wool is a natural, sustainable fabric made from animal hair, specifically from animals that can be sheared. Once an animal is sheared, its fur is scoured, combed, and spun into yarn. It’s then woven together to create fabric that’s as soft as possible. And don’t worry, all of this is done without harming the animal in question.

There are many different types of wool to choose from, including

• Angora, which is made from rabbits and is one of the finest, softest materials you’ll find
• Merino, which is woven from sheep’s hair
• Vicuña, which is created from a relative of the llama
• Cashmere, which is made from the hair of cashmere goats

No matter which wool you choose, you’ll be getting a fabulous-looking material that adds grace and class to your home. Wool is soft and durable, making it perfect for blankets and pillows.

6. Cotton

Cotton is a material with which we are all very familiar. It’s a natural, sustainable fabric made from fibers that come from white, fluffy cotton bolls. The fibers are spun into yarn and woven together to form a naturally soft fabric. Cotton is incredibly versatile and great for just most soft goods, including bed linens, upholstered furnishings, draperies, and roman shades.

7. Linen

Linen is a natural, sustainable material made from the flax plant. It’s lightweight and can withstand high temperatures and moisture. Because of its ability to absorb moisture without holding bacteria, linen is a very durable fabric that looks fabulous on window coverings throughout the home, even bathrooms.

Are you ready to add some cozy to your home? Our team is excited to help you with your next soft goods project, whether it includes window coverings, upholstered furniture, and decorative pillows. We proudly serve areas throughout the southeast, including Chattanooga, Knoxville, Nashville, and Atlanta. Contact us today to request your complimentary design consultation!