Element of Interior Design: Texture
What is texture?
Texture in interior design refers to the surface quality of a material. It is an important element of interior design because it helps dictate how a room feels......much like colour makes a room feel warm or cool. Texture influences the tone and weight of an interior space.
How does texture work?
Texture in a decorated space can be described as either visual or tactile.
Visual textures are those that immediately appeal to your visual sense as you look around at the features of the space. It is what tactile texture looks like (on a 2D surface).
Tactile textures, on the other hand, ignite your sense of touch, forcing you to feel them to appreciate them. Tactile texture is the actual (3D) feel of a surface. The actual surface texture needs to either be felt, or seen with light raking across its surface to make the texture visible.
Texture and pattern are related. The most noticeable patterns occur when you see the group before the individuals -- notice the organization first. All of the motifs in a pattern have surfaces, so there is always texture.
To decide which type of texture is suitable you need to choose an interior style.
How do you apply texture to an interior?
Start from the floor and work your way up to the furniture, decor elements, walls and then the ceiling. Here are a few ways that we suggest adding texture to a room:
Architectural Elements: If you’re lucky enough to have crown molding, chair rails, or tray ceilings in your home, make them a focal point.
Look up! Don't forget the ceiling!
Furniture: Wooden benches, satin reading chairs, and marble tabletops all bring a distinct feel to the space.
This is a simple use of texture. Bespoke furniture including wooden chairs with their plaited frame and cushioned seating are placed in the space with cactus in terracotta pots. Walls and floors are polished concrete.
Wood, 3D ceramic tiles, thick woven coir, glass......what a neat combo!
Décor Items: Shadow boxes, knick-knacks or even plants and flowers could be used.
This stunning stairwell shows that different materials when used together can create great effect. Here wrought iron work, bronze sculpture, grass like plant in beaten bronze pot and smooth swirled marble flooring are placed side by side.
Hanging plants and tall palms introduce a living textural element to this interior space with its large metal framed windows, particle board ceiling, leather lounges, woolen ottomans with bold geometric design and smooth polished concrete floors...
This living room is a simple black and white colour scheme. It is the use of different materials and their inherent textures, that makes the difference. The space is comfortable but interesting and it all comes down to texture...........
Flooring and rugs: there are so many alternative materials that are suitable to add balance and pattern to a space.
Rugs are great for creating comfortable zones in large spaces with high ceilings.........
This woven wool rug will add a touch a class and warmth to any interior...........
Wall Coverings: Patterned wall design will bring tons of depth to the room.
Sculptured wall paneling, chrome decor and patterned furniture with curved lines with the straight lines and smooth surfaces of the 2 pack cabinetry create textural interest in this room........
Climbing plants moving up the trellis fixed to the wood paneled wall create an ever changing textural element to this restaurant.......
This wallpaper itself with its vibrant peacock feather shapes in a repeated pattern would make a strong statement but when it is accompanied by this luxurious blue velvet lounge and gold metal candle holders and bold gold framed artwork the end result is definitely the wow factor!
Texture in this room is created using digital images of coloured pencils on wallpaper. It makes you want to touch the familiar pencil ends ...
These cleverly crafted wood panels are fashioned to look like doors create a unique bedhead in this bedroom...
The placement of contrasting and varied patterns in the wood panels, tropical wallpaper, and teal panted walls and strong black and white tiled floor make this an interesting dining room....
The installation of slatted wood paneling against dark smooth painted wall and saucer lighting creates textural variety and interest in this room...
The magnificent ornate gold and glass chandelier floats against the white and grey curtains that form a rippling back drop making this an ideal space for relaxing in the comfortable sofa with its simple lines and form.
3D decorative wall tiles and lighting in this room are used to great effect................
Textiles: Use cloths like slip covers, throw pillows, and even blankets or throws to make the room pop.
Layering fabrics of different rose shades and tones, textures and patterns adds beauty and class to this lounge room.........
So there you have it. Think about texture next time you furnish or design an interior space. Your efforts will be worth it !
