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Decorate Like a Pro: How to Use Texture in Interior Design

pastel pillows on sofa

When decorating a room or a whole home, there are certain interior design elements that take precedent aren’t there? What colour scheme should I go for? What key furniture pieces am I going to buy? And of course what do I need this room to do? Are all big things we ask ourselves before embarking on a new design project. But if we just focus on the overarching design decisions we run the risk of our rooms looking flat and lacking warmth. Interior designers are trained to always look at the room as a whole and one area they give as much attention to as possible is texture. Using texture in interior design will bring the decor of a room together and is a powerful finishing tool when redecorating.

textured throws on chair

Although often forgotten about by non-designers, texture can be an incredibly simple way to turn your interior from missing something to must-see and it should be on your mind when shopping for furniture and accessories. But where do you begin with adding texture to your interior design if you haven’t thought about it before? Read our top tips to add another dimension to your decorating…

What is Texture in Interior Design?

colorful throws on suitcase
neutral pillows

Rugs are the simplest texture creators as placing just one in a key spot can quickly bring a rooms decor together and don’t think that you have to just go for a thick, fluffy rug to add texture either. Woven or knitted rugs can be just as tactile. Playing with different textures will also create a chic look for example, combine plain silk cushions with sequin or heavily embroidered versions for an intriguing contrast.

Perfect your Layering Skills

velvet bed

Adding texture is all about layering, yes adding a few key pieces like the aforementioned statement rug will go a long way, but to really get the interior designer style you should look to combine multiple textural elements to bring the space to life. One of the best ways to layer textures is to start with larger textural pieces, for example a velvet chair or an exposed wooden table (or both) then add smaller accessories and soft furnishings until the room feels complete to you. A great way to achieve this is to trial multiple textures together before deciding what works best for you and the room you are decorating.

Look for Texture in Unusual Places

wooden serving board

Unique textures can really make an interior stand out. Finishes like macramé and rattan or rough/raw materials such as natural agate and burled wood add interest to any room and create a striking contrast to fabric textures. Also remember texture doesn’t just have to come from what we place in a room. It can come from the room itself. Textured wall and floor finishes are having a moment with homeowners getting more creative with the fundamentals of room design before even thinking about furnishings and accessories. Marble tiles or concrete flooring and wall finishes, whilst usually smooth offer tactility in their own ways and can be fabulous to layer with rough/raw furniture materials like wood or more textured concrete. Showing it really pays to think about texture from the very start of a room’s design. Plants, either real or artificial, are also a fantastic and unexpected way to add texture to a space.

Don’t Overload a Space With Too Many Similar Textures

neutral living room

The age-old adage of less is more still rings true with texture in interior design, whilst every room needs a certain amount of textural elements to look finished, be careful to not overload the space with too many conflicting sensations. Try and aim for a variation of hard, soft, rough and smooth textures to start off with and only add the same textures in certain accessories that you would normally have multiples of such as cushions, bedside tables or lighting. However even these elements can also benefit from contrasting textures too.