The Best Textiles For Warmer Clients

We’re big believers in sourcing cooling fabrics. This can vary greatly depending on where you live, the seasons, and how you prefer to feel within your home. Some individuals run a bit warmer or cooler and make design decisions based on that alone. 

While we love all material types, some don’t perform as well in the heat. 

We know how valuable a great textile can be in helping cool down a space and regulate body temperature and air circulation. 

If you live in a hot climate, run hot, or just like to turn up the heat inside, we’re sharing tips and tricks for specifying cooling fabrics that work well in warmer weather.

Shopping For Cooling Fabrics

Many factors can go into making a material more comfortable in high temperatures. 

For example, linen is excellent for keeping cool when used as bedding but won’t do much to keep heat out when used as a curtain textile. It’s important to consider the application of the fabric you’re shopping for and what will help you create a cooler space to live within.

Upholstery Textiles

If you’ve ever gotten hot sitting on a chair or sofa, there’s a good chance the textile was either flannel, nylon, fleece, fur, tweed, or velvet. 

These materials are excellent; we love using them on your upholstery projects! One thing these textiles are known for is how well they maintain warmth. 

This is great for winter in the snowy mountains, but it won’t be a good choice if you’re looking for cooling fabrics.

You see so much linen at beach resorts; it’s an incredibly breathable fabric! 

The material’s larger weave and lightweight makeup allow air to flow through the fabric easily.  Nothing beats curling up in an oversized linen chair at the end of a long day in the sun to read a book and sip a cocktail.

Window Covering Textiles

If you’re looking to cool down a space, blocking out natural light is one of the best ways to lower the temperature. This might sound depressing for a gorgeous summer day, but it can be incredibly valuable when the heat becomes unbearable. 

When specifying cooling fabrics for curtains, roman shades, etc., you’ll want a material with a more dense weave. After all, the goal is to keep the heat outside! Unlike linen, we do not want the same level of breathability. 

Polyester is our favorite material for cooling window coverings. This textile can be plain or printed, smooth or textural, and it is the perfect partner for a warm climate. 

If you want to step it up a notch, purchase light-blocking material to use as a backing to your polyester fabric. This will only help keep your space comfortable when it’s triple digits outside! 

Accessory Textiles

When it heats up outside, you want to tear off all the layers of your bedding and lie under a fan until you cool off. 

While we’re big fans of this method, we also recommend layering cool-to-the-touch textiles. This will make lounging or sleeping a much more comfortable experience.

We’ve already discussed the power of linen in hot climates, so what other cooling fabrics are there? 

Believe it or not, our following textile recommendation is silk. It may not be great at keeping heat out of a room because it is so breathable, but it works well as a cooling fabric. 

Silk can be overwhelming as it hasn’t been incorporated into many interior design styles. However, silk works excellent as a textile for accessories such as bedding or throw pillows. 

Most people warm up while they sleep, making silk the perfect choice for upholstered accessories in your living area or bedroom. 

The good news is that silk is incredibly versatile and takes dye well. This means you can pick a particular shade of blue to match your sofa or bedding, and you can easily find DIY silk to be that exact color.

Warm Climate Interior Design Style 

There is no right or wrong when it comes to decorating your space. We’re big believers in going with whatever design style you feel most drawn to. Certain design styles work well in warmer climates, so let’s brainstorm a few ideas together.

Modern 

When it’s hot outside, less is more: less clothing, less stuff, and less decoration. If you’re drawn to modern design, choose cooling fabrics that are simple in style. The serene style will create a calm experience inside when it feels stuffy outside. 

California Coastal

Unsurprisingly, we chose the California Coastal style because it’s the perfect mix of modern and beachy. If you like minimalism without cool tones, this style is worth trying out! Let’s not forget how perfectly California Coastal pairs with our top cooling fabric recommendation for warmer climates: linen.

Bohemian 

The airy feel of the bohemian design style also works well in warmer climates. 

This style is the colorful, artsy sister to California Coastal. Textural linen and soft cotton make up the majority of bohemian interior styles. You don’t have to use scratchy hemp materials to match the bohemian aesthetic. 

Question & Answer

Question: Is leather a good upholstery option in warmer climates?

Answer: Both leather and faux leather can be very cool to the touch, which is nice when it’s hot outside. One thing to keep in mind is that these materials have much less breathability. This means that your contact with the textile will create warmth over time. 

Question: Why doesn’t linen work for window coverings? I love the way it looks. 

Answer: We also love how beachy linen textiles look! There are many opportunities to change the temperature within your space by blocking out light when it comes to window coverings. If you like the look of linen, we say go for it! You can find a tighter woven option and apply a light-filtering backing. If your goal is to have window coverings adjust the temperature within your space, we recommend sticking with polyester or any other tightly woven material. 

Question: What other cooling fabrics can I look into for my next project?

Answer: Besides linen, polyester, and silk, we recommend checking out cotton or Tencel. 

Question: Can you mix and match different cooling fabrics together? 

Answer: Absolutely! We encourage you to create layers and contrast within your home. If you’re unsure which ones you’d like to order, we offer samples on our website! This is the perfect way to compare materials before you purchase yardage for your projects. 

Cool Down 

Our top priority is helping you find the perfect textile for your next project. 

We’ve experienced hot and uncomfortable upholstery and want to help you bypass these materials. You’re putting effort into creating comfortable upholstered decor, and let’s be honest; life is too short to sweat indoors! 

Feel free to ask any additional questions about specifying cooling fabrics; we’re happy to help!