Top Tips for Using Texture in Your Interior Design

Interior design covers a broad range of factors in any given room, including, but not limited to, the color of the walls, furniture arrangement, lighting set-up, and textures. If you want to design your home in a way that captures a very specific vision, you’ll need to know how to get creative and take advantage of those factors.

To improve your skills in the field so you can create the home of your dreams, this list will break down the top tips for using texture in your interior design.

Know the Basics

The term “texture” is consistently used in many different industries, but not everyone knows exactly what it means. It refers to the surface properties of certain materials. For example, the dry, bumpy nature of a piece of wood gives it a rough texture, whereas silk and velvet have very soft textures. Sleek textures in interior design can give a room a modern look, whereas the more naturalistic properties of wood can give a room a simple, archaic appearance.

Texture comes in many different forms. It can refer to the fabric on your chair, couch, pillow, or blanket. Additionally, it can refer to more specific design choices such as the rough cover of an old book, the smooth surface of a stone column, or the rugged feeling of a wooden sculpture. Even houseplants can give a room a distinct texture.

There isn’t a wrong way to use texture—only a wrong way to use it in relation to the vision you’re trying to achieve. Each texture has its purposes. When you find a texture that aligns with the mood and vision you’re trying to create, it’ll become very apparent just how big of an impact it can have.

Combine and Contrast

Using contrasting textures in any given room is a great way to make a visually interesting focal point. For example, placing a piece of décor that displays a rough, wooden texture on a smooth, sleek tabletop is a great way to make both stand out and catch the attention of passersby. The same principle goes for placing a cozy, warm rug on cool tile flooring.

Creatively using contrasting textures, colors, and other design elements can allow you to take advantage of “emphasis,” which is an interior design principle that makes décor stand out instead of blending into one another.

Layers are Lovely

When you’re trying to get stylish with textures in your home, keep layers in mind. However, this only works with certain types of décor (since items like the rug mentioned above can be effective enough on their own.) When applicable, layering textured fabrics on one another is an effective method for creating visual depth. The best example of this is a collection of throw pillows.

If you look at a library of eclectic throw pillow covers (22x22), you’ll notice the distinct design and texture each one displays, from soft gold velvet to woven Malian mudcloth and beyond. Harkening to contrast, layering throw pillows of varying sizes, colors, and textures help each stand out on its own.

For example, you might only need two 22x22 throw pillows for a small chair, but if you’re placing pillows on a bed, you can start with a layer of 26x26 and scale down for an additional layer or two. At the end of the day, how many layers you can have on any given surface depends on how much space is available.

Even if you only have room for two throw pillows, that can be good enough. Remember, though, it can also be beneficial to layer them with other materials. More specifically, throw pillows can pair well with a nice blanket at the end of a bed or couch. While layering works best with throw pillows, don’t be afraid to improvise with your layering when you see fit.

Appraise the Atmosphere

Aside from visual appeal, interior design helps you consider the atmosphere of any given room. The colors you paint your wall with play a huge role in imbuing emotions to anyone inside, as do the textures you use throughout. For example, if you’re trying to design a cozy living room, simple touches like placing a throw pillow or a wool blanket can help you effortlessly capture that sense of coziness.

On the other hand, if you’re designing a room with a professional mindset, you might do something different. For example, in the case of a home office, you can use subtle touches. The fabric on your chair or a potted plant on your desk can add creative textures in a more low-key, professional manner.

Variety Is Valuable

As we touched on in the Combine and Contrast section, prioritizing texture is a great way to add a unique focal point to any given room. This is why you should be wary of using too much of one type of texture. If you’re overstuffing a room with rough or soft textures, it’s going to subtract each item’s uniqueness.

Find ways to use different textures sparsely throughout. For instance, putting a cozy rug on a hardwood floor helps each element stand out in a stylish way, but if you lay down too many rugs, it’s going to look messy instead of appealing.

Even if you’re new to the world of home décor, these top tips for using texture in your interior design will help you break through that learning curve. Taking the time to understand interior design helps homeowners create a living space they’re pleased with instead of disappointed.

It might seem like a lot to handle at first. Once you begin using the tips above, you’ll be happy you made the effort to learn why something as simple as a material’s texture can completely transform any room.