Eco-Friendly Drapery Fabric Materials

There has been a rise in interest among design lovers to make sustainable choices when shopping for their homes in the last few years. This can affect how much energy you use, where you buy groceries, and, of course, how you choose to decorate your home. There are many ways to shop for eco-friendly drapery fabric, and the phrase eco-friendly can mean different things to different people.

We’re breaking down how you can easily shop eco-friendly materials for your next design project.

Eco-Friendly Drapery Fabric Options

Making design decisions can be difficult while specifying materials that align with your sustainability goals. 

There is no correct answer when it comes to choosing an eco-friendly textile. 

Selecting eco-friendly materials can involve animal-friendly textiles, sustainable business practices, recycling, proximity, and product quality. 

Take a look at the different ways you can choose eco-friendly materials below, and let us know how you’re going to choose a drapery fabric for your next project! 

Animal-Friendly Drapery Fabric

As the world of design evolves, many people consciously decide to select textiles that do not include any form of animal hide or fur. Material design has come a long way in the last few decades, so we’re happy to see a rise in options for animal-free textiles that feel just as luxurious as wool or leather.

As for faux leather, you’ll be surprised to learn how many options there are! We don’t often see faux leather (especially genuine leather) in drapery fabric, It can be seen used for a roman shade or upholstered valance. Even better, they appear softer, supple, and full of color than their authentic counterparts. 

Faux leather materials are often seen in high-touch spaces such as restaurants, hotels, and healthcare facilities. Yes, these manufactured materials are easy to clean, making them ideal for most people. Nothing’s worse than a gorgeous textile you can’t wipe clean! 

As for woven materials, there is polyester, rayon, Crypton, and so much more. You don’t have to compromise the performance and quality of your textiles just because you want animal-friendly fabrics. 

Sustainable Drapery Fabric

The best way to choose a drapery fabric you know is kind to the planet is first to consider what it’s made of, where it is made, and the cycle it had to go through to end up at your home. 

In order for something to be almost perfectly sustainable, it would have to be made by you, with your yarn you spun from your own sheep’s wool. This is not feasible for most of us. We do not own sheep, and we probably aren’t connected to someone who does. Or maybe you do? If that’s the case, go ahead and use that connection!

We have to learn how to source our materials differently for those in rural areas further away from these resources.

The sheep example is to share that so much of what we purchase is made far away. While we love supporting artisans worldwide, it’s important to note how much is involved in getting the product to you. Many sustainable material lovers choose to only purchase drapery fabric within a certain mile radius of where they live.

When you cut down on the travel distance, you significantly reduce the carbon emissions contributing to your purchase. This concept may feel a bit outside of the box, but it’s an essential part of sustainable shopping. 

Practices such as this are used among home builders, restaurant owners, and many other entrepreneurs. Sourcing materials locally can cut down on lead times and the overall footprint your material leaves on the planet. 

How Textiles Are Made

If you want to get into the nitty-gritty, you can research how drapery fabric is made. Believe it or not, many animal hairs or hide practices can be much less harmful to the environment than manufactured materials.

This all depends on what chemicals are being used to develop the materials, how much power is required to manufacture the product, and how a company handles the waste of materials. Do they have a recycling program? Are they able to reuse them somehow in other textiles?

There may be opportunities to purchase textiles that are recycled wool or cotton. Some people show concern that when a natural material is reused, it somehow compromises its structural integrity. This is far from the truth!

We have not yet seen much of this technology make its way into the interior design space, but it’s only a matter of time! Reworking old drapery fabric typically makes the new product much more solid and durable than the original material. This is why we’re beginning to see clothing items made out of recycled water bottles and old tires.

Q & A

Question: How do I know if a textile I am looking at is eco-friendly? 

Answer: When shopping for materials at Kovi, you’ll notice a section under each textile description as ‘Type’. This is where you get a breakdown of the materials used to make up the textile. We always identify which materials are eco-friendly, so it’s easier for you to shop!

Question: Why would someone purchase eco-friendly drapery fabric and how is it better than standard textiles?

Answer: We believe it’s essential to support all niche design preferences in the textile industry. There is no right and wrong to how and why you specify a particular textile. Whether you’re purchasing a mattress for your new bedroom or updating the drapery, it’s all personal preference.

Question: Can wool and leather be eco-friendly materials?

Answer: Absolutely, this all boils down to how each manufacturer cares for the animals and environment while developing a drapery fabric. If you feel more comfortable specifying an animal-free material, then no worries, there are still great options for you to choose from. 

Question: How do I know the fabric I like from Kovi will work as drapery? 

Answer: When looking at the description of your drapery material, look at the ‘Recommended Use’ category to see if drapery is listed. 

Selecting Eco-Friendly Drapery 

We’re excited to see how many advancements are being made in the world of eco-friendly drapery fabric. Shopping with sustainability in mind doesn’t have to be overwhelming. It’s essential to have your list of ‘wants’ when you begin looking for new materials to use in your home. 

If there are more ways you’d like us to share how to incorporate eco-friendly materials at home, let us know, and we’ll share more of our tips and tricks. We’d love to see your project after specifying eco-friendly drapery fabric in your home!

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