How To Add Texture To Create Beauty In Your Home
Learn how to add texture to create beauty in your home. Discover what you need to know to become a better and more confident decorator using designer secrets and tips. It’s easier than you think!
Have you ever decorated a room and thought something was not quite right? You have all the right furnishings, the right colors, and the perfect accents, but your room still feels off. I used to do this all the time. It was so frustrating! Until I discovered one element of interior design that is incredibly important and often overlooked: TEXTURE.
Today’s post is part of our DECORATING SCHOOL series. In this series, you will find interior design concepts that are easy to learn and use in your own home to create beauty and make it comfortable and inviting.
Let’s chat about the importance of texture in decor and how it can add life and beauty to your space!
Why Texture Matters in Interior Design
When texture is absent from decor, a room often looks “flat” and uninteresting. Our brains are wired to seek out textures because they make spaces more interesting and attractive. Texture plays a very important role in allowing your brain to perceive spaces as beautiful.
What Is Texture
Here is a good working definition of texture…
Texture in decorating is the way a surface feels or looks like it feels. It adds depth and interest to a room, making it more interesting and visually appealing.
The Magic of Texture
Texture is a key element in decorating that brings a room to life. It’s the secret ingredient that can turn an uninteresting space into one that feels warm, exciting, and engaging. Understanding and using texture properly can create an interesting and welcoming room or home.
The Sensory Experience
Texture engages our senses in a way that color or shape alone cannot. It allows us to actually perceive the feel of a surface without touching it, adding a sensory richness to a room. Have you ever thought of that?
When we see a fluffy throw blanket, a rough jute rug, or a smooth leather chair, our brain instantly registers these textures and creates a mental image of how they feel. This sensory experience adds depth and dimension to a room, making it more inviting.
Creating Visual Interest
A room without texture can appear flat and one-dimensional. By introducing different textures, you create layers that the eye can travel over, making the space more interesting.
Imagine a living room with a combination of a soft fabric sofa, a sleek wooden coffee table, a rough brick wall, and a plush throw blanket. Each of these elements brings a unique texture that catches the eye and keeps it moving around the room, seeking out more and creating a pleasing visual experience.
Adding Depth and Dimension
Texture adds depth and dimension to a room by creating contrasts. Smooth surfaces next to rough ones, shiny objects alongside matte finishes, and soft fabrics next to hard materials all create a sense of depth. This layering of textures makes a room feel more complex and well thought out.
For instance, a room with only smooth, shiny surfaces might feel cold and uninviting, but adding a furry rug or a woven basket can instantly warm it up.
You might like to read How To Add Contrast To Decor for a more in-depth look at how contrast can help you create an inviting and lovely room.
Boosting An Emotional Response
Different textures can evoke different emotions. Soft, plush textures like velvet or faux fur can make a space feel cozy and comforting, while sleek, hard textures like glass or metal can make it feel modern and sophisticated. By carefully choosing and combining textures, you can create the desired emotional response in each room.
For example, a bedroom with soft, tactile textures like cotton sheets, a woolen throw blanket, and a plush headboard can feel relaxing and serene. It makes you feel like you want to dive right into bed and relax.
Balancing the Room
Texture helps to balance a room by adding visual weight to different elements. Heavier textures like a nubby rug or a brick wall can anchor a space, while lighter textures like sheer curtains or smooth marble can make it feel airy and open. By balancing heavy and light textures, these textural elements work together to create a well-proportioned room.
Mixing Textures in Your Home Decor
The key to a visually interesting room is layering different textures in a space. By doing this, our eyes are excited to travel from one texture to another, making the brain say, “Wow, this is so interesting.” Learning how to add different textures to a room might take a little bit of practice, but the results are worth it.
The key to a visually interesting room is layering different textures in a space.
Visual Weight
Visual weight is a concept closely tied to texture. Our brain weighs everything we see. Lucite, for example, has very little visual weight, while a nubby rug has lots of visual weight. A room with a more visually weighted texture feels cozy and warm, while a room with a less visually weighted texture can feel sophisticated and sometimes aloof.
Ways to Add Texture to Your Home
Here are some practical ways to incorporate texture into your home decor:
Architectural Features
- Crown Molding: Adds elegance and depth to a room.
- Larger Window Casings and Door Casings: These features provide a substantial, finished look.
- Shiplap and Hearths: These elements add rustic and cozy textures.
- Brick Walls: Introduce a raw, tactile texture that adds both visual interest and dimension.
Furniture
Consider the texture of every piece you put into your home:
- Rough Planked Bookshelves: Bring a rustic feel.
- Smooth Wooden Tables: Offer a sleek and modern touch.
- Linen Upholstered Sofas: Provide a soft, comfortable texture.
- Leather Chairs: Add a rich, tactile element.
Accents
Accents are an easy way to bring texture into your home:
- Satin Pillows and Fluffy Throws: Add softness and luxury.
- Smooth Candlesticks and Rough Wooden Bowls: Introduce varied tactile experiences.
- Baskets: Combine utility with textural interest.
Floor Coverings
Floor coverings add texture and interest to a room:
- Hide Rugs and Jute Rugs: Bring natural, tactile elements.
- Silk Orientals and Wall-to-Wall Carpets: Offer a range of textures from smooth to plush.
Textiles
Every piece of material will add some sort of texture and visual weight:
- Shiny and Smooth Textiles: Less visual weight, often more modern.
- Furry, Bumpy, and Rough Textiles: More visual weight, adding warmth and coziness.
- Throw Pillows: Perfect for layering textures on sofas and beds.
- Throw Blankets: Add an extra layer of tactile texture and comfort to your seating areas.
Wall Materials
Consider the texture of your walls:
- Drywall, Brick, Shiplap, Paneling, Wainscoting, Stone, and Marble: Each material brings a unique texture and visual weight.
- Wallpaper: Adds pattern and texture, creating an interesting backdrop.
Accessories and Decor
Using accessories is a great way to introduce texture:
- Tiles: Add visual interest and a tactile element to kitchens and bathrooms.
- Artwork: Can introduce different materials and textures, from canvas to mixed media.
- Upholstery: Choose fabrics with varying textures for chairs and sofas to add depth.
Practice and Perfect
To master the art of adding texture, try adding and editing textures each time you decorate. Take pictures of your room and study them. You will be amazed at what a picture can tell you that your eyes might miss!
Now, look around your home and see where you can add wonderful visual texture. Your spaces will feel more interesting and beautifully layered.
Common Question About Texture In Decor
How can I incorporate texture into my home decor?
You can incorporate texture into your home decor by mixing different materials and finishes. Focus on combining smooth, rough, soft, and hard surfaces to create visual interest and depth.
What are some examples of different types of textures used in interior design?
Soft, rough, smooth, shiny, and matte surfaces are examples of different types of textures in interior design. These can be found in materials like fabrics, wood, metal, and stone.
How can I balance different textures in a room without it feeling overwhelming?
Balance different textures by mixing smooth and rough surfaces in moderation. Use neutral colors to unify the look and avoid overloading the space with too many different textures.
Decorating School, Part 1
Learn easy, and doable interior design principles to use over and over again in your home to create beautiful and curated spaces.
Love both of your rugs. Thanks for sharing your great ideas!
Amazing what a difference the sisal rug makes! Great post on what to keep in mind when decorating or even putting together a vignette.
Would love to have a sisal type rug in our family room but with 2 cats I am afraid they would quickly ruin it. Too much like a scratching post! Still add texture with pillows, nubby throws, and natural wood accent pieces. I even have a rough linen lampshade that adds interest. Your tips are so on target.Thanks Yvonne.
Amazing how adding the sisal rug made the difference. Thanks for sharing. Happy Monday.
Thanks for these great tips – texture is the key!
Hi, Yvonne,
Love what the sisal rug did to the look of your living room. Could you tell me where you bought it? Locally or online
Thanks,
Claudia
You can find the rug here: http://rstyle.me/~a4NDQ
Love the large rug in the middle of the room. Had to rethink rugs since my husband now uses a walker so I have had to rethink my rug arrangement. Keep the rugs close to the legs of furniture so he can get around easier and it still adds an element of texture and color that the wood floor needs.
You are so right Carol! Think of other areas and ways to add texture! Keep your floors safe!
This information was some of your best yet and the sisal in the living room was a perfect example! Such a simple thing but as you said, sooo very important. Your blogs are like classes of continuing ed. ?
How sweet Deb! Thanks!
We have something that looks like running cedar, except it doesn’t run. Each sprig is 4″-6″ tall, dries to perfect green, and lasts for months. This time of year, I stick it into wreaths, small vases, bare spots in real plants – adds nice color and texture. Thx for texture ideas
Texture makes a difference in a room. I try and add texture in accessories and appreciate your ideas. Your rug is great.
Excellent post about texture!!! Very informative!!
The rug made all the difference! Great example. The picture trick is an idea worth trying. That’s often how I know I need to make a change. I’ll see the room in a photo, and something doesn’t look right. Gives you a fresh perspective.
Yvonne, your rooms are so comfortable and inviting. Thank you for the insight of adding texture to our rooms. Would you please share the resource for the soft nubby sisal rug? Thank you.
Hi Kay! You can find the living room rug here: http://rstyle.me/~a4NDQ
The rug links don’t work Yvonne . Can you give the actual name ?
Hi Jag, I don’t have any links for rugs on this page. If you want the rug in my living room picture go
here:https://rstyle.me/+dMVM7VPZrc2NvHmie33rtg
When links don’t work it usually means the product has been sold out. Hope this helps.
This room is beautiful! Where can I find that sisal rug? That’s exactly what I’ve been looking for!
You can find it HERE: http://rstyle.me/~a4NDQ
What an informative post!! I never thought about texture intentionally when putting a room together! I must take a look around to see what I have done! Love the sisal rug! Thanks!
I cannot believe the difference th sisal rug made -WOW! From perfection to URBER perfection !
Thanks, Maureen!
Thanks for this great tip!
My home is very flat, trying to add lots of textures to give the rooms more personality.We added
hardwood floors to the open spaces and area rugs.Loving your sisal rug and accessories, very cozy space.
Oh thank you for all your wonderful tips and tricks for textures! God bless and keep all this wonderful info coming
Wonderful tips! I love the layered look of the rugs. Very informative information. Thank you!
Texture is the thing I think I am missing in my decorating. Thank you for this great tip!
Totally agree! Texture gives some good depth….we just put hardwood in the dining room….I’m thinking we need a rug to ad a little texture. But I need to convince my husband.
I love the sisal rug…I actually would like to do the same thing in my living room…I have berber carpet in there now that I would like to replace with hard wood, and then place a sisal rug. Right now, a new roof is in the budget??How boring, but very necessary. Thanks for the great post!
Blessings,
❤Beth
Beth, how about putting a nice sisal rug over your berber for now?
Help. There are many sisal rigs out there. Where did you find your soft one?? All I see are scratchy. Thank you.
It’s really trial and error for me! This rug is really nice. You can find the link in some of the comments.
I have made so many decorating mistakes in the past! Wish I had these tips when I was younger.
Great post! Texture makes such a difference!!
Yvonne your living room is so lovely and cozy. I see a sisal rug in the future. I’m especially crazy about your large leaf plant, please share the name and care, so beautiful.
Your textures just pop…to the eyes as well as the fingers!
You are so correct about texture, Yvonne! I think texture is one of the main elements that most home decorators fail to think about when styling a room, and it can make or break a design. Another is one of my BIGGEST pet peeves…hanging artwork too HIGH or using prints, paintings, etc., that are too small for a wall space. A podcast on this would be a very beneficial topic, I think.
love your jute rug! beautiful!
Great advice, Yvonne! Love your sisal rug.
I see what you mean about texture. Someone once told me to look around. Do I have wood? Paper? Glass? Metal? Hard? Soft? But she did not mention texture!
In regards to your rug, i liked and still do like the room sans sisal. I also like it with the sisal. I feel like it is two different feels to your room. But I’m not there in person. But gazing at your photos, I love both looks!!! To me the polish of your wood is a texture too!
But yes I like the texture of the sisal as well.
I understand your texture emphasis was on the rug, but what about the pillows? They’re great! Where can I find them?
That Sisal rug did make the room come alive, it draws you in.
Love this, thank you!
I totally agree; texture absolutely makes a difference.
Just added wainscotting to our living room wow!! Great texture. Should my curtains match my paint colour? Wish I could post a picture.
love all the texture and the room is great but what kind of tall skinny plants on the coffee table. I love that look.
Love, love the sisal. Could you please respond with the source. Thanks
Yet another great posting filled with fantastic advice. Thanks for sharing your beautiful home and insight!
Not only does the new rug add texture, THE COLOR unifies the colors in your decor and cools the overall impression of your design. The warm wood floor color fought with the composition.
What is the paint color of the neutral walls on the living room and dining room walls in the Autumn 2017 issue of the cottage journal?
I think texture is what my rooms are missing. We’re adding planked walls in the kitchen and I can’t wait to see how that turns out. I think it’s going to really change the entire feel of the room.
You will love it!
I absolutely love this post! It’s reinforced the power of texture and the layering of rugs. Thank you for bringing such beauty to so many!
Texture…it’s the essential “POP!” BTW: What do you think about a room like yours being done on an angle or the furniture pulled towards the center instead of being along the walls? Is that becoming old school?
Yvonne- I listened to my first Decorating Tips & Tricks podcast with you….. It’s just not the same. I will so miss your voice and humor.
Thanks! Those girls will do wonderfully without me full time!
Hi! I’m am not a decorator at all and your tips are so helpful! Thank you!
So enlightening! Thank you very much!
What a difference one element makes. Thanks for the tips! I read your blog everyday.
Are sisal rugs hard to keep clean?
I love a room with a nice sisal rug underfoot, but hate to walk on them with bare feet!! Have you found a brand that is softer than most??? Happy Mother’s Day!
I love the one in my living room. It’s bumpy but not scratchy. I am not a barefoot girl so I don’t feel it under my bare feet. Here’s a link for my living room rug:https://rstyle.me/+ig3hi5a8nivFrprmsWi3pw
Could you tell me the source of the picture on the wall?
Hi Char, you have asked a very popular question! This painting is called Paris On The Sein and you can read all about it here:https://www.stonegableblog.com/7-foolproof-ways-to-choose-art-for-your-home/
Hope this helps.
That is so weird. I actually thought the room looked too busy before you added the rug, but after adding the rug, it was perfect! I would have thought that the rug would have made it look busier but it didn’t!
I think more than the texture, in the before and after, is the fact that the wood floor was too much of a red contrast to a monochromatic space. Yes, there’s texture with the rug, but the softer color of the sisal really adds to the room. If a sisal rug were put down that was the same color as the wood floor, would it really have the same effect?
Hi Tammy the texture really does hide the oak floor. In real life, the floor does not give off such a “red” cast. Adding a sisal rug will soften the look of any flooring. Hope this helps.
Love your style and advise. Can you put a link to where you purchased that sisal rug? I’ve been on the hunt for months. Thank you!!! Xoxoxo?❤️?
I found your link below. My wood floors look to be the same color as yours and I’m looking for a rug that is more white tones then gold or brown tones. In your photos this looks perfect… does the color tend to be more bleached look?
Have you found a place in your new home for “Mr. Zebra”?
He is in the basement but he is going to go in a guest room soon.
Glad to hear you found a place for the rug. How fun for your guests!
This really is a deal breaker! Adding texture is the energizing ingredient that really pulls all the decor items you love together! Thanks for sharing!!
I recently bought a daybed quilt set that came with a bed skirt that was a much lighter fabric than the cotton quilt and shams. It just seemed “off” to me so I made a new one from a cotton drapery panel. The fabric weight of the new dust ruffle is a better match for the quilt.
Love your ingenuity!
Thanks? Your explanation is spot on! I just didn’t know the term. Need to add one more item to my family room.
Thanks, Sarah. Adding texture makes such a difference in a room.
I enjoy your decorating ideas.
Is there a rule of thumb when deciding on lamp height? Is it different depending on whether the lamp is for a bedroom or living room?
It’s very different. For the bedroom choose a lamp whose shade covers the lightbulb when you are sitting in bed.
Yvonne
I thought I had my colored palette figured out based on some of the tips in your article about colors and palettes. Needless to say the brown/ greige couch we ordered in the show room looks completely gray in our living room! There went my warm color palette! After 5 months of waiting for this furniture I decided I’m not going to send it back. I admit after all this time I was disappointed.
yvonne, you came to my rescue after reading your article on mixing warm and cool colors. Now I’m making lemonade out of lemons in trying to add pillows and a throw in warmer colors! Thank you for blogging your decorating lessons. They have become invaluable to me as I’m redecorating our main floor.
Sincerely
Lori Axtman
So glad, Lori!
Hello! Do you have purchasing information for the beautiful neutral wall clock? Thank you.
Hi Deb. I painted the clock. It had an ugly brown frame.