Style guide
How to guide: Adding texture to a room
The key to it all is understanding the impact it can have and knowing what will work best within your space, which this article is going to reveal now….
26th January 2024
T.E.X.T.U.R.E. You can’t beat it; it’s something we can all embrace and benefit from.
Texture in interior design can be subtle or it can be an all-out statement.
How you choose to use it very much depends on your overall design preferences.
But one thing we would say is, no room looks bad with some interior texture in it.
In fact, I would go as far to say that no room is complete without some interior texture being added to it.
How do you describe texture in a room?
Interior design texture is how something feels.
For instance, if you were to run your hand over your sofa, walls or cushions, how do they feel?
Maybe they feel snuggly soft, really fluffy, slightly bumpy or super smooth?
This is what’s referred to as tactile texture.
There’s also visual texture, which applies to how things look, i.e. art work that has a 2D or 3D effect or patterned wallpaper that gives off the illusion of depth or seeing different shapes.
What are the types of texture in interior design?
As we’ve just established, texture in interior design is a multi-faceted feature that transpires into all sorts of different forms in real life.
Some examples include:
- Smooth
- Rough
- Hard
- Soft
- Ridged
- Grainy
- Bumpy
- Fluffy
- Slippery
- Sticky
There are so many more textures.
I’ve shared the examples above with you to provide you with more of a practical feel for what’s meant by texture in interior design.
These real-life examples will help you grasp the concept of interior design texture too:
In living rooms you can add texture with: cushions, rugs, throws, art work, flooring and ornaments
In bedrooms you can add texture with: bedding, curtains, blankets, pillows, cushions, flooring and upholstered furniture (including headboards)
In offices you can add texture with: rugs, art work, flooring and high polished or grain-effect furniture
In bathrooms you can add texture with: flooring, towels, floor mats and tiles
In kitchens you can add texture with: smooth or textured surfaces, cabinets and tiles; a metal, glass or wooden dining set; flooring and window dressings.
Browse our rugs
Super Teddy Rug
Aurora Glacier Rug
Ritchie Rug
Plush Rug
Barnaby Rug
Aurora Etch Rug
Kuza Border Grey Rug
Sketch Rhombus Grey Rug
Alto Cream Rug
Metro Taupe Rug
Hague Sand Rug
Mason Linear Rug
Aurora Impression Rug
Olympia Beige and Brown Rug
Craft Ivory and Gold Rug
Why is texture important in interior design?
No matter how carefully a room’s been decorated or how much time and attention has been put into it making it look good, you can sometimes feel there’s a certain something missing.
Nine times out of ten, that certain something is texture which, is something all professional interior designers factor in, but isn’t something we tend to think about when we’re doing up our home ourselves.
Texture is what transforms rooms from feeling flat, to inviting spaces that draw you in.
This is what the experts refer to as ‘visual weight.’
With the right amount of texture, you can make certain objects (e.g. an accent chair) or areas (e.g. an office nook or reading corner) really shine, and all you need is a little texture detail.
The beauty of texture in interior design is that is helps balance out rooms too.
If everything looks too similar, it can be difficult to take it all in because we can’t differentiate between the décor or the furniture.
Adding a layer, or layers, of texture immediately provides added interest and expertly weaves everything in a room together, from the flooring and the painted or wallpapered walls to the seating, tables, lighting, and so on….
My 6 interior texture design tips
- Don’t be overwhelmed by it – it’s easy to feel that texture is too challenging to get a handle on, but it’s as easy or difficult as you decide you want it to be, which leads on to the next tip…
- Select two to three different textures – this is enough to make an impact. Using three or more textures in one space will result in everything competing against each other, which you don’t want!
- Stick to two textures – to show off a focal point.
- Stick to three textures – when you want to show off a space as a whole.
- Choose heavily contrasting objects – for rooms that are decorated with shades that are similar to each other. Heavily textured items stand out even more against this type of backdrop.
- Don’t be afraid to experiment! – rugs, cushions and throws are the easiest way to inject some texture, but don’t forget about other objects too, such as knick-knacks, flowers and lighting.
Texture is an interior design technique we can all get to grips with.
Have a go, see how you get on, and remember, less is more!
I’d love to see your texture transformations, don’t forget to share them with us!
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