How do you learn faux fur fabric?

Look in virtually any magazine or walk into nearly any home furnishings store and you are bound to find one of the hottest trends in home furnishings today: faux fur.

Faux fur fabric, which is similar to design elements such as mirror on mirror, ties into the Hollywood glamour resurgence in home decor. These days consumers and designers are not only looking for ways to spice up their environments, but are also very conscious of bringing in interesting materials and texture.

One of the more interesting ways to bring in an element of texture — and in many cases warmth — is through faux fur.

What is faux fur? Faux fur is made of fibers such as acrylic, cotton or polyester to create a product that mimics fur. Faux fur items in many cases are washable and will return to their original shape and appearance through line drying.

What to look for: In general, you are going to want to feel and touch what you are buying. Higher quality faux fur fabric pieces are extra soft and thick to the touch. Look for pieces that are well-lined. A velvet or heavy cotton lining is preferred.

In general, also pay attention to basic elements, such as the construction quality. You are going to want the item to last and keep its appearance over time.