A home is a sanctuary from the demands of bustling life. It’s where we can relax and unwind from a hectic day at work, and create unforgettable memories with the family.
There really is no place like home. A nicely decorated environment that’s tailored to your style can make you feel comfortable, at ease, and most importantly - feel like you’re in a place where you want to be. A personal touch with the help of soft furnishings can bring a room together, making it feel complete.
There’s no rule book, so whether you prefer pops of colour in every room, or maintaining a neutral tone throughout - the choice is yours when it comes to how you choose to spruce up your home environment.
But have you ever wondered how often you should replace your soft furnishings? If you’ve had certain additions for several years, sometimes no amount of washing can bring them back to their former glory.
It’s easy to forget how long the lifespan of soft textiles, such as rugs, cushions, or blankets throughout your home is - but don’t worry, The Mill Shop is here to help. Read on to find out when you should replace the soft furnishings in your home…
Scatter cushions
Scatter cushions usually live on the sofa, which means that they probably get a lot of use out of them. After all, who doesn’t rest their head on the sofa cushions, or use them to rest their feet comfortably?
As long as you’re not using your cushions as a tray to eat your dinner on, we recommend replacing your scatter cushions every 6 to 12 months at a time. If you regularly wash and maintain your scatter cushions, they could last even longer (a couple of years) before they become tired-looking.
Pillows
Contrary to scatter cushions, pillows tend to have a longer shelf life before you need to replace them. This is because they’re specifically made to be slept on each evening.
If you regularly maintain your pillows, they should last you comfortably for around two to three years before they begin to look tired and lose their ‘plumpness’.
To make your pillows last longer, fluff them up regularly after a night’s rest to ensure that they don’t stay set in an undesirable position.
Sofa throws
Sofa throws can be used for decorative purposes, to protect your sofa from any day-to-day damage - or both!
Sofa throws, like blankets, will last you a long time if cared for properly. Depending on the material of the sofa throw, most will be made to withstand daily use as they are mostly used for protection.
We recommend replacing your sofa throw every 3 years, as this is around the time it might begin to be less efficient at protecting your sofa, along with appearing worn down.
Check out our range of sofa protectors and throwshere.
Bedding
Most people will have multiple sets of bedding, which of course means that they’ll last longer.
A set of good quality bedding will last you at least a few years, potentially even longer - if you’re washing and caring for them properly. Every set will have different care advice, so be sure to follow it consistently.
If you’re not sure if your bedding needs replacing, there are several signs that it’s time to invest in new bedding. Here’s what to look for:
- Thinning of the bedding material.
- Yellowing in appearance due to overuse.
- Fading of decorative patterns.
- Rough to the touch.
Curtains
Out of all the soft furnishings you can have in your home, a good set of quality curtains will last you the longest - if cared for correctly.
Of course, this will depend on the type of curtains you have in your home, as every type is different. Here’s what you can expect (on average) from certain types of curtains:
- Lined curtains - 5 to 7 years.
- Unlined curtains - 4 years.
- Glass fibre curtains - 3 to 4 years.
- Drapes - 3 to 5 years.
- Sheer curtains - 3 years.
To get the most out of a quality set of curtains, a good tip is to have a summer and winter pair. This will minimise the amount of UV damage a single set of curtains withstands.
Lighter and airier styles such as net or voile curtains are a fantastic option for the summer months, and a good set of thermal or blackout curtains are great for retaining heat, along with making your home look and feel cosier in the winter.
Palos Blackout Pom Pom Eyelet Curtains - shop now.
Blankets
There’s nothing better than snuggling up on the sofa with a warm and cosy blanket. Most people tend to use their blankets frequently, and because of this, they’ll on average remain in good condition for around 2 to 3 years.
Blankets come in a variety of different materials, so as long as you abide by the care instructions - there’s no reason why you can’t get many more cosy nights out of your blankets.
Table runners
Last but not least on our list of common household soft furnishings, we have table runners.
Table runners can be used as purely decorative items, or for everyday use. Because of these factors, how long it should be before you replace your table runner is subjective.
If you’re using your dining room table frequently, expect your table runner to not last as long. Over-washing, exposure to food and/or liquid residue, and repeat use will minimise the lifespan of this soft furnishing.
A frequently used table runner will get at least 2 years of use out of it without the quality withering. If your table runner is purely decorative, expect it to last up to 5 years as the lack of repeat use will preserve the quality for much longer.
Check out our selection of beautiful table runners here.
Finding a use for your old soft furnishings
There are many ways you can bring your used soft furnishings back to life. For example, upcycling has become a very popular option in recent years, as it’s a great way to get more use out of the used materials.
Upcycling is when you take pieces from materials and textiles of previous additions and create something completely new. For example, taking snippets from your used curtains and creating a blanket or cushion covers.
Upcycling can be great fun and it’s an eco-friendly way of creating new pieces. When you’re finished transforming your previous soft furnishings, you’ll be left with new additions that are unique to your home.
If upcycling isn’t a viable option due to excessive wear and tear, consider recycling any materials that can be recycled. It’s better for the environment and cuts down on unnecessary wastage.
Here are some other ways you can reuse your old soft furnishings:
- Consider donating to local authorities such as charities that could benefit from your soft furnishings.
- Donate them to art or textile schools that may benefit from the additional materials.
- Animal shelters are always in need of additional soft furnishings to keep their dogs or cats comfortable. Why not reach out and see if they can use the extra help?
We hope you’ve enjoyed reading about when you should replace the soft furnishings in your home. Don’t forget to check out our full range of cushions, sofa throws, curtains, and more for guaranteed high quality and satisfaction.