Texture. Texture seems to be a favourite buzzword among interior designers, but for the average person, what is it, and how do we add it to our homes? For starters, texture is more than adding a new throw pillow to your room. When interior designers speak about adding texture to a home they are referring to layering various colours, metals, materials and textiles in the same space to create visual interest. When a room lacks texture it may often look dull, flat and soulless, subsequently every room needs a number of different textures to bring it to life. Below are 5 tips on how you can add texture to your home.
Examine What is Already There
Texture is about juxtaposition. Look around and take note of the objects in the room. Accidentally purchasing a chrome table lamp to go with the chrome table you already own will show layers but not stylistic depth. Similarly, purchasing a pine mirror to place over the pine console table suggests you are matching furniture not designing a space. Instead, opt for matte furnishings that will beautifully contrast with the shiny textures in your home, or other similar materials to build on the materials you already own.
Credit: Foyr
Mix the Old with the New
To add natural texture, mix old and new furniture. After examining your home, you may realize that you have one or two antique pieces. Instead of putting these in storage, show them off in the same room as your modern furniture. Display your old accent table, dishes or books in the same room as your modern light fixtures and contemporary art. This will create the feeling that your home was assembled over time rather than curated for a catalogue.
Credit: Joyeux Home Decor
Mix Colours and Patterns
If you want to create a visually stimulating environment, try blending patterns such as plaid, polka dots and stripes with similar colour schemes. Pair small prints with big prints and avoid prints of the same size. A colourful linen sofa works perfectly with patterned cushions, or a quite plain room can be lit up with a patterned ottoman. The smaller print acts as a neutral, while the bigger print is the eye-catcher.
Credit: Decorilla
Try Creating a Monochromatic Room
If you aren’t a fan of many colours, then the monochromatic look is for you. Monochromatic looks incorporate multiple shades of one colour to highlight texture and draw the eye in. Take white for example, if you were to have everything in a room painted in the same shade of white it would look flat, and the room would seem cold. Instead, having the entire spectrum of a colour displayed across a room shows depth and intentionality. These types of designs make a room more inviting and encourage people to touch and feel their surroundings.
Credit: F & P Interiors
Mix Your Textiles and Materials
One of the simplest ways to add texture to a room is by using a mix of materials and textiles. Every piece in a room cannot be the focal point so the mix of flat with textured elements works to create a beautiful design. Placing your pine side table in the same room as your leather sofa or the chrome-framed armchair in the same room as your vintage brass wall art gives your space an interesting and unexpected look. Additionally, experiment by mixing fabrics such as velvet, silk, wool, cotton, and linen depending on the feel you want to create.
Credit: Le Blanc Design
Adding texture to your home does not have to be an arduous or expensive task. Remember, do not simply purchase random items to add texture, evaluate what you already have and then ensure that your purchases fit into your design concept.
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