3 min readPictured Above: A living room designed by Christian Bense, featuring a charming fabric-lined cabinet.
If you want to bring a touch of cottagecore romance to your home, who better to emulate than the British? Designers across the pond have a knack for infusing even the most everyday elements with so much charm. A collection of old plates becomes wall decor. A simple bed is transformed into a half-tester or canopy. Even cookie-cutter cabinets can feel special with the addition of a little fabric.
While built-ins were once the storage solution of choice, British designers often favor glass-front cabinetry lined with cheerful fabric. Think of it as the cabinet equivalent of the skirted sink trend—a detail Rose Hanson of Penrose Tilbury uses to introduce pattern and texture into an otherwise utilitarian space.
“It’s an effective way to soften a room,” says the British designer. “Subtle details like fabric lining, fringing, or braiding are excellent ways to inject personality into a home.”
Read on for the go-to tips that British designers always follow when bringing this look to life.
A Delicate Touch
In a recent project that Hanson designed alongside Charlotte Tilbury, her firm’s cofounder used a full wall of wardrobes lined with a James Hare silk.
“A large expanse of hard surfaces can feel dominating in a small room, so we wanted to add extra texture to soften the space,” she notes. Mary Graham, who runs British design firm Salvesen Graham with Nicole Salvesen, agrees and says some cloth can give hard lines a “decorative, domestic touch.”
While fabric-lined cabinets can make even the most functional pieces fantastical, Sean Symington says the burgeoning trend represents a shift in how people want to feel in their homes.
“Less showroom, more personal,” he explains. “Fabric does something paint and lacquer alone simply can't. It adds warmth, texture, and a sense of real intention.”
He adds that this trick is a great way to update existing joinery without a full renovation.
A Simple-yet-stylish Setup
To try this look in your own home, Symington recommends removing the top panel of an existing cabinet interior and adding two tension rods: one on the top and the other toward the bottom.
“It gives the cleanest finish as the fabric sits taut and flat,” he explains. “The fabric hangs between them cleanly, like a miniature curtain.” Symington also recommends checking the cabinet’s clearance to ensure the door properly closes and that the fabric won’t bunch up over time.
If you’re looking for something more bespoke, Tilbury says this look works best with Shaker-style wardrobe doors with the top central panel left open or glazed. Tension rods can work wonders, but anyone who is struggling with clearance can use Velcro to get the look. Not only can Velcro help create pristine pleats, but it can also make cleaning your fabric a breeze. After all, Tilbury says cloth “traps dust,” so regular upkeep is a must.
Fabric-lined cabinetry can look good anywhere, but Tilbury wants you to consider the environment. “If you are using fabric-lined storage in a bathroom, it should be placed behind glass to prevent the material from getting damp,” she explains.
Commit to a Print
Once you’ve figured out the “how” and “where,” it’s time to choose the right repeat. There are so many patterns to choose from, which is why Symington calls it a very versatile design trick.
“You can go bold or keep it quiet, and switch fabrics out whenever you’d like,” he says. “The key is choosing something that feels considered alongside the rest of the room.”
While you could select a sumptuous solid, Salvesen says prints are more charming and (let’s be honest) British. “Wherever possible, using patterned fabrics adds extra charm and visual layering,” she says. “It creates a sense of depth and personality that makes a space feel more collected, inviting, and lived-in.
Meanwhile, Symington is fond of a slim stripe or petite block print. However, regardless of which print strikes your fancy, one thing’s for sure: This look has staying power. Hanson calls cloth-lined storage a “traditional technique” and “classic design element,” while Symington says this small design can make a lasting impact.
“People are increasingly interested in the details that make a space feel genuinely curated,” he says. “Sometimes a single considered detail, one you only notice when you look a little closer, is what makes a home truly memorable.”
