The Secret Ingredient for a Truly Inviting Home
Add warm and welcoming appeal to your home with a touch of texture used in 10 different ways
Lauren Dunec Hoang
8 July 2017
Houzz Editor; landscape designer and former garden editor for Sunset Magazine and in-house designer for Sunset's Editorial Test Garden. Her garden designs have been featured in the Sunset Western Garden Book of Landscaping, Sunset Western Garden Book of Easy-Care Plantings (cover), Inhabitat, and POPSUGAR.
Houzz Editor; landscape designer and former garden editor for Sunset Magazine and... More
You know the feeling of walking into a room and immediately feeling drawn to a certain area – whether it’s a cosy seating nook or an interesting collection on the mantel? If you can’t quite put your finger on what it is about the space or group of objects that seems alluring, there’s a good chance that it’s texture.
More subtle than colour, form or pattern, texture is perceived both by sight and touch. Plus, pieces with texture often inspire one to imagine what something feels like without touching it. For example, a chunky, woven throw draped over a sofa has a distinctive texture, and one can perceive the softness and warmth just by looking at the throw.
Let’s take a look at 10 ways to use texture and how this understated quality can bring more warmth, depth and interest to the home.
Let’s take a look at 10 ways to use texture and how this understated quality can bring more warmth, depth and interest to the home.
1. Bring on the layers
Add interest to bedrooms with quilted bedspreads, pillows and knit throws. The more variety of textures, the better. The layered-texture effect not only makes it easy to pull up blankets for extra warmth, but it also makes the bed feel all the more cosy and inviting. For even more softness, add textured curtains and a plush bedside rug or carpeting.
Add interest to bedrooms with quilted bedspreads, pillows and knit throws. The more variety of textures, the better. The layered-texture effect not only makes it easy to pull up blankets for extra warmth, but it also makes the bed feel all the more cosy and inviting. For even more softness, add textured curtains and a plush bedside rug or carpeting.
2. Leave a wall exposed
If you’re lucky enough to have inherited brick as a building material, by all means leave it exposed. Even in unexpected places – like a bathroom or a hallway – the texture of the brick will lend depth and interest to the room, instantly giving it a sense of character. Industrial building materials like concrete or exposed metal pipes can also add texture to a space.
10 gorgeous exposed brick bathrooms
If you’re lucky enough to have inherited brick as a building material, by all means leave it exposed. Even in unexpected places – like a bathroom or a hallway – the texture of the brick will lend depth and interest to the room, instantly giving it a sense of character. Industrial building materials like concrete or exposed metal pipes can also add texture to a space.
10 gorgeous exposed brick bathrooms
Don’t have layers of textural building materials hidden behind your plasterboard? Another option is to apply it on top. Turn a blank wall into a textured statement by attaching reclaimed wood boards, brick veneer or a faux concrete finish to get a similar effect. Here, a wall of knotty wood gives a feeling of warmth and cosiness to a snug room.
3. Double up on rugs
Don’t hesitate to layer rugs to bump up the texture in a space. For a winning combination, pair a neutral-coloured rug that has lots of texture with a patterned one.
For example, the designer of this room used a natural-fibre rug to add more warmth to the white-and-grey seating area, then put a smaller patterned rug on top for a hit of colour. Alternatively, lay a high-texture accent rug (like a fuzzy sheepskin or a cowhide) on top of a patterned area rug.
Don’t hesitate to layer rugs to bump up the texture in a space. For a winning combination, pair a neutral-coloured rug that has lots of texture with a patterned one.
For example, the designer of this room used a natural-fibre rug to add more warmth to the white-and-grey seating area, then put a smaller patterned rug on top for a hit of colour. Alternatively, lay a high-texture accent rug (like a fuzzy sheepskin or a cowhide) on top of a patterned area rug.
4. Display textural objects as art
Elevate everyday objects made of interesting textural materials – such as old farm tools, interesting seedpods, woven baskets or antique metal buckets – by presenting them in unexpected ways. Display larger items, like this pair of woven metal Portuguese eel traps, against blank backdrops to show off their textural quality through contrast.
Browse more fresh white living rooms
Elevate everyday objects made of interesting textural materials – such as old farm tools, interesting seedpods, woven baskets or antique metal buckets – by presenting them in unexpected ways. Display larger items, like this pair of woven metal Portuguese eel traps, against blank backdrops to show off their textural quality through contrast.
Browse more fresh white living rooms
For smaller items, such as glass bottles or baskets, group them as collections for bigger impact. In this home, five baskets hung together as wall art pick up the woven textures of the pendant light and stools. The resulting neutral palette with lots of texture makes the room feel warm, informal and inviting.
5. Try textured wallpaper
Adding textured wallpaper can be a great way to make a space luxurious without looking too over the top. When choosing textured wallpaper, keep in mind the effect you’d like to create in the room. Satin finishes have a smooth texture that reflects some light, giving a baroque-like feeling of opulence. Matt-textured and embossed wallpapers can help create a rich library-like feel.
Adding textured wallpaper can be a great way to make a space luxurious without looking too over the top. When choosing textured wallpaper, keep in mind the effect you’d like to create in the room. Satin finishes have a smooth texture that reflects some light, giving a baroque-like feeling of opulence. Matt-textured and embossed wallpapers can help create a rich library-like feel.
6. Go plush with velvet
Really make a textural statement with a sofa or a cushy seat upholstered in sumptuous, butter-soft velvet. Balance the indulgent look and feel of velvet by keeping other furnishings and elements in the room more sparse, hard-edged and contemporary.
Really make a textural statement with a sofa or a cushy seat upholstered in sumptuous, butter-soft velvet. Balance the indulgent look and feel of velvet by keeping other furnishings and elements in the room more sparse, hard-edged and contemporary.
7. Look for texture in nature
Using natural elements as accent pieces in the home sets a laid-back mood and can help modern spaces feel more lived-in. Here, a metal log rack is designed to show off the delicate peeling bark and rough texture of the logs as a wall-mounted sculpture.
Other ways to use natural elements to bump up texture: display pretty branches in a vase or line up smooth stones along the mantel.
Decorating for free with natural found objects
Using natural elements as accent pieces in the home sets a laid-back mood and can help modern spaces feel more lived-in. Here, a metal log rack is designed to show off the delicate peeling bark and rough texture of the logs as a wall-mounted sculpture.
Other ways to use natural elements to bump up texture: display pretty branches in a vase or line up smooth stones along the mantel.
Decorating for free with natural found objects
8. Throw down a sheepskin
Yes, they’ve been trendy in recent years, but adding a sheepskin, or a synthetic alternative, is still one of the easiest ways to instantly bump up the cosiness of a room. With their pillow-soft texture and over-the-top fluffiness, sheepskins are particularly effective in making hardwood floors and stiff furniture look warm and inviting.
Yes, they’ve been trendy in recent years, but adding a sheepskin, or a synthetic alternative, is still one of the easiest ways to instantly bump up the cosiness of a room. With their pillow-soft texture and over-the-top fluffiness, sheepskins are particularly effective in making hardwood floors and stiff furniture look warm and inviting.
9. Add a textured splashback
Modern kitchens are often filled with smooth surfaces – a texture that can feel a bit cold and sterile. Break up an expanse of smooth textures while still keeping a contemporary look with 3D tiles used as a splashback.
For a more traditional, farmhouse feel in your kitchen, look for other ways to add texture to the space, such as laying down a sisal rug, displaying glass jars filled with pasta on the benchtop or using a woven basket as a fruit bowl.
Modern kitchens are often filled with smooth surfaces – a texture that can feel a bit cold and sterile. Break up an expanse of smooth textures while still keeping a contemporary look with 3D tiles used as a splashback.
For a more traditional, farmhouse feel in your kitchen, look for other ways to add texture to the space, such as laying down a sisal rug, displaying glass jars filled with pasta on the benchtop or using a woven basket as a fruit bowl.
10. Don’t forget about macrame
Knotted wall hangings may seem like a 1970s throwback, but macrame can bring texture to a bare wall and more warmth to a contemporary room. Modern macrame designs often mix the traditional natural fibres and driftwood with materials like metallic yarns or those made of recycled plastic. Mount a macrame hanging behind the sofa or above the bed to boost textural interest.
Tell us
If you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation!
More
Read more decorating ideas
Knotted wall hangings may seem like a 1970s throwback, but macrame can bring texture to a bare wall and more warmth to a contemporary room. Modern macrame designs often mix the traditional natural fibres and driftwood with materials like metallic yarns or those made of recycled plastic. Mount a macrame hanging behind the sofa or above the bed to boost textural interest.
Tell us
If you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation!
More
Read more decorating ideas
Related Stories
Interior Design
The Golden Rules of Proportion: Decor Laws You Need to Know
An interior designer reveals the essential rules for achieving a perfectly balanced interior
Full Story
Interior Design
Design Masterclass: A Budget-Friendly Refresh of a Small Home
See how a designer's smart use of colour and considered storage solutions transformed a drab home for AUD$50,000
Full Story
Renovating Advice
Renovation Insight: How to Choose an Interior Designer
A skilled interior designer can help bring your decor dreams to life – three experts reveal how to choose the right one
Full Story
Interior Design
10 Decorating Rules Interior Designers Swear By
By Laura Downie
Want to give your home professional polish? An expert reveals the top 10 decorating rules you need to know
Full Story
Interior Design
8 Ways to Create Flow and Cohesion With Your Interior Design
These eight tips can help you select products, finishes and styles that work together from room to room
Full Story
For Pros
Trade Shows: Why They're Important Events You Don't Want to Miss
From networking to insights into new and emerging trends, here's why trade shows should be a firm 'yes' in your calendar
Full Story
Picture Perfect
22 Curtains That Dare to Be Different
Our coffee-break escape offers you five minutes' worth of images to inspire and delight. Jump right in...
Full Story
Project Of The Week
Before & After: A Cheap & Cheerful Makeover of a 1980s Caravan
Armed with an AU$1500 budget, a Melbourne couple rolled up their sleeves and transformed a caravan in just three months
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Melbourne Houzz: A Terrace Near Ruin Gets a Second Chance
See how a derelict Victorian terrace in Melbourne was transformed into a luxurious and serene family home
Full Story
Houzz Tours
Melbourne Houzz: A Family's Dream Home, 20 Years in the Making
Timeless, sophisticated and a little bit industrial – this heritage-home renovation is nothing short of spectacular
Full Story
Texture- a topic I find difficult to understand, shop for, and apply in a halfway decent manner in my home. Therefore, I read articles such as this one with great interest. It seems that when done right, any room can be made to look inviting, show personality, and stimulate curiosity, without looking cluttered. These photos are great examples!
Setthestage: A sheepskin antimacassar? Granny would be aghast.
Beautiful! Thank you for including us, Lauren!