1. Choose fabrics that fit your lifestyle. If you love the look of silk, but the room is used by the whole family, put the silk on the windows, rather than the upholstery.

2. Be creative with fabrics. If you don't like window treatments, use a minimalist approach. Then introduce additional fabric as a wall hanging, decorative throw, table skirt, bed skirt etc.

3. Use fabric to add warmth, color and texture to your room. A sleek, contemporary setting can seem cold without the addition of some soft surfaces.

4. Pay attention to the look and feel of the fabric. A green silk will not have the same effect in a room that green velvet will.

5. Let the fabric help you set the style of your space. Classic damask, contemporary geometric, rustic wool blend, vintage tapestry, high tech metallic, ... They all send a different visual message