What Is Damask? Here's Why You're Seeing It Everywhere

This centuries-old fabric adds pattern and texture while also acting as a neutral.

Damask is a patterned fabric with a centuries-old tradition. Dating back thousands of years and named after the Syrian city of Damascus, this fabric remains popular thanks to its durability, versatility, and elegance. It typically features a symmetrical, nature-inspired pattern which is woven directly into the fabric as opposed to being printed or embroidered onto it. A staple in home decor, damask is often used to make table linens, bedding, and window treatments.

To learn more about the unique characteristics of damask, why it's so popular right now, and how you can use it in your own home, we sat down with Stephanie Housley, the designer and founder of Coral & Tusk. She explains that one of damask's greatest qualities lies in its subtle pattern which introduces visual interest while being neutral enough to mix well with other design features in a room. "It’s an exceptionally well loved cloth because of its ability to offer the space it’s used in just the right amount of decorative elements without dominating the room," she says. Read on to learn why damask is everywhere right now, and how you can incorporate it into your space.

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What Is Damask Fabric

"Technically, damask is a type of woven jacquard fabric, woven with a single weft, reversible, and very durable because of its tight weave structure," Housley says. Although silk has traditionally been considered the best material for damask, you'll find versions constructed from cotton, twill, linen, wool, and even synthetic fibers such as rayon. Although "damask" refers to the fabric itself, Housley says, "over time damask has also become a term used to refer to the types of designs that are commonly featured in damask woven fabrics." These have come to define what's so unique about damask. "These designs are typically symmetrical, inspired by nature, and frequently have a central motif with a decorative frame in somewhat of an oval shape around the central motif," Housley explains.

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Why Damask Is Popular Right Now

You may have noticed damask has been used more in home decor in recent years, whether through table decor such as seasonal tablecloths and napkins, or duvet covers and decorative pillows. (The traditional patterns are also very popular in non-fabric interior elements, like wallpapers and rugs.) Although the fabric possesses an elegant, even regal quality, it's actually highly practical and an excellent choice for daily use. Thanks to its tight weave, damask is very strong and durable, and able to withstand the daily wear and tear of a busy household. While silk damask does require professional dry cleaning, the majority of damask products are made from some sort of cotton, linen, and synthetic fiber blend today, which is usually machine-washable for easy care.

In addition to its practical benefits, damask's monochromatic pattern design makes it a popular choice for home decor. "Because the forms are derived from nature they provide beautiful visual interest, but since the forms are highly stylized and not directly narrative or pictorial, they become more of a neutral and are easy to pair as a coordinate—whether the damask becomes the main event, or the supporting accent," Housley says. Although highly ornate and typically small in scale, the pattern is easy to incorporate into a room thanks to its understated nature, and is a sure way to elevate any room and style of home, from traditional to modern. "These days, thousands of years after damask was first introduced, whether we’re referring to the weave type or a print or embroidery utilizing a damask type design, it continues to prove itself worthy," Housley says.

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How to Use Damask Fabric in Your Home

"One can truly use a damask anywhere, which is one of the many reasons it’s so ubiquitous in decor," Housley says. While damask in its most traditional form is typically monochromatic, and the only subtle color variation comes from the woven pattern, you will sometimes see multi-colored damasks, especially in table linens. Some of the most popular ways to use damask fabric is through tablecloths, table runners, placemats, and napkins. Another easy and relatively inexpensive way to implement the patterned fabric is through bedding, whether that's a sheets, duvet and pillow covers, or decorative throw pillows.

More permanent and expensive damask products include wallpaper, which can provide a beautiful way to dress up a formal space such as a dining room, or window treatments such as floor-length curtain panels that give a room the perfect finishing touch, add privacy, and introduce a subtle pattern. As for the best room to use the fabric in, Housley says you really can use it anywhere. "I’ve seen damask used in an inspiring way in all locations in the home, it really just depends on the type of backdrop you want to create with this wonderful textile," she says.

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