Makeovers with Fabric Growing Popular

Decorating your home doesn't have to be a major undertaking these days. Lately, a new trend has emerged: making big impressions with small changes. What makes this possible is the use of a material with undreamed-of possibilities: Fabric.

If you've ever moved a picture from one room to another, or turned your side table into a night stand, you know just how dramatic a small change can be. If you have access to a fabric store, and with the Internet, everyone does, you have the ability to make small changes that have a big impact.

1.Headboard

There are a variety of ways to make a fabric headboard. One of the easiest ways is to take large rectangles of canvas and stretch your favorite fabrics over each piece. These are light and easy to hang, transforming your bedroom instantly.

2.Corkboard

If you're always losing things, a corkboard is a must. These little boards are also a fantastic way to let your kids hang things in their bedrooms without damaging the walls. Grab a few sheets of craft foam, spray the fronts with adhesive, and press fabric to the sticky side. Smooth out air bubbles and wrap edges around the back of the foam.

3.Funky Mirror

If you have an old mirror in your home, breathe new life into it with fabric. Remove the mirror from its frame, spray adhesive along the front of the frame, and smooth fabric over the sticky side. Wrap the edges of your fabric around the frame and secure with hot glue or spray adhesive. Put the mirror back in the frame and hang it on your wall.

4.Window Frames

Old window frames are all the rage. Instead of leaving the glass in, place fabric squares into the frames. Simply take pieces of fiber board and cut them just slightly larger than the openings in the frame. Cover the boards with fabric, lay your frame face down, and glue your fabric covered boards to the back side of the frame. Flip the window frames over and take in the gorgeousness that you've just created. Hung in the family room, living room, or even kitchen, these frames look absolutely fabulous.

5.Pillows

Pillow cases are ridiculously simple to make, and can transform your old throw pillows into something new. Lay a piece of fabric printed-side down, and lay your pillow in the center of the fabric. Wrap the pillow as you would a gift, pin the fabric where you need to sew it, and cut off any excess. Sew the fabric where you've pinned, turn it right-side out, and stuff your pillow inside.

6.Lamp Shades

Drum-style lamp shades are the easiest to cover with fabric. All you need to do is remove the lamp shade from the lamp and cut a piece of fabric long and wide enough to wrap around the shade. Spray the outside of the shade with adhesive, wrap your fabric around the shade, and trim the excess fabric so that you only have an inch left to fold over the top and bottom of the shade. Secure the edges of the fabric to the inside of the shade with a hot glue gun or craft glue.

7.Canned Vases

Have you been searching for the perfect centerpiece for your dinner party? Take leftover cans from your last painting project and wrap them in fabric. The process is nearly identical to covering lamp shades. You just cut and glue your fabric to the cans, and fill the cans with flowers or other items to make beautiful centerpieces.

8.Shower Curtain

Fabric shower curtains are expensive. Instead of buying a curtain at your local big box store, make your own. You can be as creative or as plain as you like. Buy a grommet kit at the craft store to make spaces for your hooks, and transform your bathroom with your favorite fabric in under an hour.

9.Ottoman

An ottoman would take you forever to build, but it won't take you forever to recover. Lay out a piece of fabric, pattern-side down, large enough to wrap around your ottoman. Place your ottoman top-down on the fabric. Wrap the edges of the fabric over the ottoman, and staple them to the bottom of the furniture. Flip your ottoman back over and you've got a brand new look.

10.Quilts

You don't have to be adept with sewing machines to quilt. Patchwork quilts are easy to make and can be simple in design. You can use the same fabric for your entire piece, or you can combine fabrics to create an eclectic blanket for the back of your couch. No matter how you choose to design your throw, it's a great way to use your favorite fabrics in a beneficial way.

Home Fabrics are a great way to overhaul the look of your interior. With spray adhesive, scissors, a sewing machine, and a bit of imagination, you can give each room in your home a new look in under a day. Let your favorite fabrics inspire you; you never know where the inspiration may lead.

Posted by Melanie Mendoza on Saturday November 02 2013, 4:32 AM EST. All trademarks acknowledged. Filed under Lifestyle. Comments and Trackbacks closed. Follow responses: RSS 2.0