Jennifer Sheahan: Choosing fabrics for your home interiors 

A room's sensory elements are as essential as its colours, says Home of the Year winner Jennifer Sheahan

Jennifer's living room: She chose couch fabric (microfibre velvet-effect) that can be sprayed with Scotchgard and easily wiped clean with a cloth.

Shorter days mean longer evenings on the couch nestled in soft cushions and wrapped in cosy blankets. What a wonderful time of year! 

Sometimes the sensory experience of your chosen interiors items can be overlooked, but the impact of texture is as important as anything — beyond cushions and throws you’ll need to pick couch fabric, curtains, armchairs, bedding, rugs, carpets, and towels.