The textile and garment industry encompasses a wide canvas, and each category, be it maternity, teen, or senior apparel markets, has grown to produce changing trends of their own with each passing year. Understanding and developing fashion and style sensibilities of its own, is the group of home textiles and fabric furnishes in the industry. Trade events and exhibitions dedicated exclusively for this purpose have given rise to a growing market for trendy fabrics in home textiles.

This segment, which was seen as a utility product in many developing countries like China and India, is also now slowly changing. Advanced lifestyle requirements and consumers today want their homes to be an extension of the same. Self-expression and exquisiteness have become important criteria while picking textile products for their spaces. Upholsteries, curtains, bath and bed products, linens, cushion covers, bed sheets, pillowcases, quilts, and duvets – there are innumerable varieties and patterns to pick from.

The ITMA Showtime fabric unveiled some latest fabrics, colors, and patterns that were in the limelight for the year 2014. Metallics in detailing and in absolute subtleness were being used for tabletops and home textile designs. Gold, especially, occupied a secure position in the list of trendy fabrics. Using it with delicate linens, cotton, and jute fabrics in one's home furnishings added a little polish but with much elegance. Colors were on the rise, with a wide palette of beautiful colors but in muted and neutral shades adding a festive touch to homes in different patterned fabrics.

One color that dominated and was seen more than most others was blue, in all possible shades and hues. The versatility of the color and its ability to create varying moods with fabrics like comforting, soothing, healing, and divine brought a different look and feel to the interiors of a space. Traditional prints like paisley and ikat in unusual color combinations and big, bold prints of flowers, animals, geometric shapes, and motifs on darker backgrounds in home textiles were witnessed for the year 2014. Luxury home textiles were seen in rich colors with intricate prints and light embellishments in fine fabrics. Moreover, luscious solid-colored velvets and corduroys were also a trend seen in luxurious home textiles.

Fine handcrafted fabrics and handlooms with a story to tell, with a little bit of shimmer, also made their way into the luxury home furnishings market. Old-world embroidery and paint-like finishes on fine linens and silks were also trends to watch for if one wanted to add some opulence to their interiors in 2014. The matching trend was out of vogue for 2014, as consumers were open to experimenting with colors, patterns, and textures. Trims and detailing in neon colors were seen in textile products like tablecloths, pillow covers, and bath products.

Outdoor fabrics with performance are soon turning into a viable option for being used indoors as well. Increased functionality of home textile fabrics to withstand dust, dirt, and bacteria and yet, remain clean and hygienic is growing and the demand for such products is on the rise this year.


Soft and long-lasting rugs that are resistant to fading, bed-sheets that can modulate temperature according to the user's body temperature in order to enhance one's sleep quality, and anti-allergic & anti-bug bed sheets are few innovative yet performance yielding home textile products that will be popular in the months to come. Stain repelling carpets and rugs will be hot selling items along with these products. Some of these innovative fabrics can protect the carpets from wine stains too.


With the love for nature and increasing concerns about protecting it rising among today's consumers, the demand for eco-friendly home textiles is just going to increase day by day. Fabrics in irregular surface effects and understated natural shades expressing earthy feeling into urban homes made out of natural fibres. Organic, natural, and eco-friendly textile and textile products will get bigger and along with that textiles made from recycled fibres will be a trend to observe for this year. Consumers are environmental conscious and require products that match their nature loving attitude.


Blue seems to be the color of the year as long as home textile trends for 2014 are concerned. Gold, tangerine, lavender, and aquamarine are other colors to look out for. Using multiple colored prints with a solid colored background is another trend that will be seen on all kinds of home textile and furnishing fabrics. Bath products with extra absorbency and super soft micro fibres will be available along with different blends of yarns and slubs to choose from.


The home textile trends for this year are not just about change in color palettes, prints, and textures but also have improved functionality and with home furnishing fabrics made with natural fibres to maintain a balance with environment, there is a lot to look up to for consumers this year.


References:


1.      Retail.economictimes.indiatimes.com

2.      Heimtextil.messefrankfurt.com

3.      Nestnestnest.blogspot.in