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Interior Design Materials and Technology

-- Resources, Samples, Design Components, Directories, Images, Sustainability and Technology

Welcome to the Materials Lab Guide

Materials Lab

Interior Design Materials Lab

The Materials Lab* provides physical samples of interior design and architectural products and finishes for you to use on projects in the Interior Design curriculum and other programs in the college. 

As a starting point for hands-on material selection, the Materials Lab provides a creative, open access environment for you to explore materials that range from commercial and residential upholstery fabric swatches to paint chips, wood finishes and solid surfaces and much more.

The Materials Lab is located along the northwest wall of the 6th floor in the Gladys Marcus Library at the Goodman Center. You can access the Materials Lab by using the central staircase in the Library. Check the FIT Library hours page for available times the 6th floor is open for you to explore.

*The Materials Lab is formerly known as the Interior Design Materials Lab (IDMLab) and the Interior Design Resource Center (IDRC).   MSM 7/2024

Material Samples

Small material samples are available for presentation and mood boards to showcase your design concepts and ideas. To maintain a sustainable, zero waste collection please return all unused materials to the IDMLab.

Wallcoverings

  • Paint
  • Wallpaper
  • Natural fiber
  • Vinyl Wallcovering -- thinner material than used for upholstery
  • Panels -- wood, tambour, slats, patterns

Window Treatments

  • Soft materials: curtains / drapes / shades
    • Sheers, Solids, Patterns
    • Blackout material
    • Acoustic
  • Hard materials:
    • Glass or Resin -- clear, translucent, opaque
    • Metal -- woven wire mesh, screens
    • Blinds -- Shutters

Textiles

  • Upholstery textiles -- naturals and blends
  • Indoor / Outdoor
  • PU / PVC (Polyurethane / Polyvinyl Chloride "vinyl") -- with fabric backing
  • Leather
    • Natural -- suede on the back
    • Fake / Faux / Vegan leather -- textured PU / PVC (vinyl) with fabric backing

Hard Surfaces

  • Wood for millwork -- cabinetry, furniture, trims, mouldings
    Small wood samples can be used to represent other surfaces
  • Glass
  • Resin
  • Solid surfaces -- quartz, Corian® or Wilsonart®
  • Laminates -- solid and patterns
  • Metal -- trims and woven panels

Flooring

  • Wood flooring
  • Resilient flooring -- Sheet Vinyl, Linoleum, Cork, Rubber
  • Carpeting -- Residential and Commercial

Tiles

  • Natural Stone -- Granite, Marble, Limestone, Composite
  • Ceramic
  • Concrete
  • Aggregate -- Terrazzo, Composite

Material Sample Resources

For FIT Faculty

» IDMLab Visit Request - Faculty may reserve a time for their class to visit the lab that does not require librarian support
» Instruction Sessions or Tour Request - Faculty may request a lab visit with librarian support

Related FIT Design Programs

Have a question or comment about these guides? Contact: libraryreference@fitnyc.edu