How to Design with Texture

How to Design with Texture

Color is often the first thing you turn to when your home starts feeling drab, but texture is equally—if not more—important for sprucing up a room. After all, texture is one of the principal elements of design. Without enough texture, a design scheme is likely to fall short of the mark.

But just what is texture? Simply put, it’s the visual look and tactile feel of an object. Everything from a soft, fringed throw pillow to a spiny cactus plant counts as texture. If you’re looking to create more visual interest in a room, adding texture is a surefire way to accomplish your goal. Here are some easy tips to add texture to any living space.

• Layer different textures: Layering tactile materials is the key to creating a visually pleasing design. As a starting point, try blending numerous textures on your sofa. For instance, you might contrast smooth leather upholstery with overlapping pleated pillows and knit throw blankets. These layers also make the sofa look more inviting.
• Mix and match contrasting patterns: Sometimes, patterns can give the illusion of texture, even if the material is smooth to the touch. Avoid having too many solid colors or busy patterns. The goal is to achieve an aesthetically pleasing blend of each. So if your sofa is a solid color, pair it with a patterned lampshade, accent chair, and curtains. And vice versa.
• Swap out textures for the season: In the summer, decorating with linens and cottons helps the room feel light, cool, and breezy. You may want to swap these out for velvets, corduroys, and fleece in the winter for more warmth and coziness.
• Decorate with plants and flowers: Greenery adds unique textures to any space. The glossy leaves of a rubber plant, velvety foliage of eucalyptus, and wispy pampas grass each adds a different type of texture that you can experiment with based on your other decorations.
• Play with home accessories: Transform a bare table, mantelpiece, or bookshelf with a beautiful arrangement of vases, sculptures, mirrors, candles, and other textured home accents. Of course, you’ll want to incorporate smooth objects as well to create balance.
• Don’t overuse texture: Every room should have some texture, whether it’s an area rug in the living room, wainscoting in the bedroom, or textured tiles in the bathroom. But you should pick your textural moments based on the scale of the space. After all, introducing too many contrasting textures and patterns could create chaos.

Which of these tips for designing with texture are you ready to try? Whether you decide to replace some home accessories or swap out your sofa, Home Consignment Center is the place to go. We buy and sell high-end furniture at consignment prices, so you can change up the look of your home for an unbelievable price. Everything in our showroom is one-of-a-kind, and the most in-demand pieces sell fast, so hurry in to experience the thrill of the hunt for yourself!