When it comes to interior design, the devil is in the details. And that’s because the kind of design used determines the ambience of the place that in turn directly affects the mood of the room’s occupants. So in a way, the interior design in your home affects you.
Using texture to your advantage will level up your interior design game and make your home stand out. The excellent part about texture is that it is not limited to walls--and it is ruled by creativity.
That means you can let your imagination run wild yet create the look you dream. But if you’re wondering where to start, the basics might be a good place.
What is Texture and Why is it Important in Interior Design?
Put simply, the texture is the surface quality of a material.
Consider the feel of a silk shirt compared to a grocery bag. Or the feel of the fabric of the sofa compared to the curtains. Every material has a different texture to it.
The texture is essential in interior design because it serves two purposes. The first is a purely practical one. Textured surfaces hide imperfections. Surface unevenness, bumps, or chips can be covered using a texture suitable for the character. Textured surfaces are also less susceptible to wear and tear. However, it requires proper maintenance.
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The second reason texture is preferred is that it significantly impacts the ambience. Imagine a brick-and-mortar textured wall in a cafe. It sets an on-the-highway vibe, doesn’t it?
Similarly, a geometric patterned wall in orange and pink next to a reception desk sets a bright, peppy ambience. An eye-catcher, isn’t it?
Not only this, but studies have also tried to connect the link between the texture of a wall and the perception of spaciousness that is affected by it. So yeah, texture even affects the psychological perception of space!
A Textured wall in any setting is an immediate eye-grabber. Living rooms are the best places to have a textured wall in houses. Hallways comes a close second. The ceiling, too, is a good place for a textured look, though it is a bit difficult to maintain the latter.
But before we begin with the places, we need to figure out the types of textures and how to use them efficiently.
How Types of Texture Affect Perception and Senses
The texture is characterised by how it feels. Texture is what adds the “visual weight” to a room. In design terms, visual weight is the ability of an item to attract attention to itself. The texture does this by invoking the sense of touch and perception.
Studies have found (PDF) that the texture of material forms an integral part of the perception from a particular architectural setting – be it home, offices, cafes or public buildings.
Let’s go back to the typical cafe brick-and-mortar design. It looks rough and uneven. Your mind might recall the cold, coarse touch of brick you may have lifted earlier.
But once you touch the wall, you feel that it is pretty smooth. There’s not a trace of unevenness. That’s the power of using texture. It draws you in to gently pass your hand over the surface. You can touch it and explore it.
The second is how you perceive the texture. Like the case of geometric texture at the office, you immediately can feel your mood lifting. That’s because symmetrical patterns and bright colours paint a happy picture in our minds.
Using Texture to Upgrade Interior Design
There are some unfailing combinations in texture that you can explore. All that matters is how you play it up.
Texture typically involves a lot of elements–right from wall paintings to floor rugs–so it is all about creating the right balance. A few of such combinations are:
1. Contrasting layers
Uneven against smooth. Matte against sheen. Glossy against matte.
Contrasts work best when two different items come together to create a vivid image.
For example, imagine a wall painted in cobalt blue. The wall has an interesting sand swirl texture. Since it is a dark colour, it won’t reflect light much. Placing a sofa chair in satin upholstery next to this wall will create a lovely contrast.
2. Multi-layering
Popcorn-textured wall, sleek leather sofa, and a woollen rug. You just imagined something slightly uneven, sleek, and super soft, all in one.
And while all three are different from each other, it conveys an image of sleek elegance and a rugged look at once. That’s the power of multi-layering.
3. Using light
Light has the power to turn the mundane into magical, after all. Texture shares a close affinity with light.
Suppose you take a yellow satin sofa chair and place it next to the balcony door in the bedroom. All it needs is a floor lamp or even a designer wall lamp to become a cosy nook for reading, journaling, or some private me-time.
4. Using natural plants
Mostly, people use carefully chosen decor items to brighten up the room. But one of the most understated methods to liven up a room is using indoor plants. Natural indoor plants are available in various shapes, sizes and patterns.
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For instance, a brightly-patterned flower pot adjacent to the television table brings in a touch of happy green and sets a contrasting image simultaneously. Similarly, flower pots placed next to the bedside table exude freshness. Imagine waking up feeling fresh.
5. Rugs
When it comes to rugs, what matters is that it should maintain synergy with the rest of the texture look you are creating. Also, since they take up the floor space, rugs can be used practically everywhere.
It could be a simple jute-based rug or a faux fur rug- but it is essential to know where to place it. To create a rustic, coastal vibe a jute rug is a must.
A sleek, sophisticated texture look calls for a silk or wool rug. Microfiber rugs work perfectly for any place where you want to lie down.
Getting an expert’s help is always a good idea. Hipcouch, a premier interior design company based in Mumbai, excels when it comes to making your dream houses a reality. Our wholesome blog is a treasure-trove of interior decor inspiration, tips and tricks and contains a wealth-load of ideas about the decor at large. Check it out here.