A Guide to Household Fabric

Home textile fabrics add a touch of luxury to your life and also provide a defined aesthetic characteristic. They can be made from both natural and man-made fibers.
Bed linens include all articles that cover and protect your mattress, pillows, and duvet while providing comfort. These linens also help you get a good night’s rest by creating a barrier between your skin and the mattress or duvet. This helps with temperature regulation, especially for hot sleepers. Linen sheets can also soothe allergy sufferers, and they’re easy to wash and dry.
Pillow-cases (a set of 2 or more) are a common staple and come in standard, fitted and king sizes. You can find pillow shams that are embroidered with monograms or fancy designs, or frilled and trimmed with lace.
A bed skirt is a decorative fabric that covers the portion under your bed with pretty fabric, but skip this if you live in a dusty area as it can collect all the dust on the floor when you sweep. A bedspread can be either throw style or a regular one that covers the pillow cases and extends down to the floor, but it must be removed at night.
The linen closet is a quaint throwback to the days before washing machines were a common household fixture. A traditional linen closet stores all the launderables needed to maintain a clean and sanitary house, including bath towels.
Towels in the home come in many styles and sizes, but quality counts. Look for zero- or low-twist, absorbent cotton fibers that are supple to the touch. Egyptian Giza cotton is renowned for its luxurious feel and durability.

Consider a huckback towel made from natural, sustainably-sourced cotton that's grown without chemicals. The ancient huckback weave creates an uneven surface that helps the towel soak up water faster. You'll want to stock a minimum of two sets of bathroom linens with bath sheets, washcloths and hand towels, plus decorative guest towels or seasonal towels for powder rooms. Consider adding a set of face cloths, as well.
Curtains are a crucial part of any room scheme, they are very versatile and can help pull a look together. They are also a great way to frame windows and add texture to a space. Curtains can also accentuate the height of a room or frame average windows, creating a more finished and stylish space.
Most curtains are made from thick fabrics that can be either dry-clean only or machine washable. They are available in a wide range of styles and colors. For a more formal feel, consider a heavy silk or velvet. For a casual, relaxed space try billowy linen (generally dry-clean only).
The width of the curtain should be about 2 to 2.5 times the window width to ensure they look ample and drapey when open. The curtain should not be so long that it hangs below the sill, as this can create cold drafts.
Towels need to be both robust and soft, absorbent and colorfast. They also must dry quickly, and withstand many repeated washings. It's a tall order, but manufacturers meet it by weaving fabrics that are a blend of cotton and polyester.
Using towels that aren't washed regularly can result in bacteria build-up and fungus. Bacteria is killed by heat, but fungus can be hard to kill and can cause rashes and itchy skin.