Texture – Your Secret Weapon for Creating Great Interior Spaces

Texture – Your Secret Weapon for Creating Great Interior Spaces

Texture happens to be one of my favourite design elements as I am a tactile kind of person. You probably know the type…… has to touch and run their fingers over surfaces and stops to dwell on anything that has textural interest. That said, texture isn’t all about the tactile element, it’s also about adding visual interest.

Have you ever entered a room and felt there was something missing? A space can look great decoratively, but it will not sing to you if the texture element has been overlooked. If you’re going to the trouble of redesigning a space, you don’t want the end result to come across as bland, boring or just plain nice. You will want to stand back and ooh and aah over your hard work.

Texture is a secret weapon in the design world; it will really transform an ok space into something amazing. The trick is to not overload the senses, but to balance out the textures within so that when you enter, you not only feel comfortable but actually feel the space is alive and has interest!

There are different types of texture you can add, such as reflective, tactile and natural. Incorporating a mix of textures within a space ensures you will captivate anyone that enters it.  Of course, every surface has a texture, the key is to mix it up. If you have a room full of shiny surfaces, objects and furniture, you have to be honest, it is not going to look balanced and will come across as a rather nondescript. The key to creating a space full of interest is to add enough different textures, without over stimulating the senses!

 

This inspiring space in California has a great balance of tactile and visual textural interest. The obvious one being the branch mirror, but the space also has subtle textures, such as the natural linen seat pads and metal chandelier. A visual contrast in texture has been used with the natural texture in the wooden tabletop and the branch mirror; they are the same in context but have visual textural contrasts due to their form.

Some spaces require more texture than others. For example, darker spaces require more reflective texture to ensure it lifts it out of the visually oppressive, which is why accents of metallic’s, such as gold work really well. They also need more textural contrast as shadows aren’t visible.

I absolutely love this amazing office, which has a range of textures, both tactile and visual. The rug adds softness to the scheme, whilst the gold bookcase shines out from the dark walls. The spiky visual and tactile textural form of the pendant and accessories, also bring this space alive.

 

Monochromatic spaces require a range of textures to create interest, in conjunction with good natural and artificial lighting, which allows shadows to form. Without texture, these spaces will look and feel bland.

 

This beautiful monochromatic living space has used texture to bring it alive. The rug and soft furnishings add softness and contrast to the shiny, reflective surfaces such as the Tom Dixon mirror ball lamp, glass coffee and side tables. Plants here provide the dimension of texture, which reveals the space as somewhere that is alive and loved.

If you’re unsure where to begin with texture, soft furnishings are a great place to start. Texture can be added by way of a number of elements within a space, namely cushions and throws which are a great place to start if you want to add some textural interest.  I will be showing you some fabulous soft furnishings that are currently available very soon, so watch this space.

 

Maria

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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