In home design, the first sense we typically engage is sight. Thoughtfully chosen colors set the mood, artwork creates moments of interest and natural and artificial light work together to shape the atmosphere of a space.
The next sense to consider? Touch. After all, a home isn’t just meant to be admired—it’s meant to be lived in. No matter how beautiful a sectional may be, if you can’t sink into it at the end of a long day, it isn’t fulfilling its purpose. The most compelling interiors appeal to both the eye and the hand.
That’s where texture comes in.
Texture is where the visual and the tactile meet, adding depth, warmth and character to a room. It’s often the element that separates a beautiful space from one that feels truly inviting. While most people instinctively understand color, texture can be more elusive. You likely have a favorite color, but do you have a favorite texture? Understanding how to use it effectively can transform the way a home looks and feels.
Decide on the look
Just as colors evoke certain sentiments, textures shape the mood of a room. Before selecting materials and finishes, consider the atmosphere you want to create.
Looking for refined elegance? Velvet introduces richness and sophistication. For a softer, more relaxed interpretation of luxury, consider chenille or bouclé upholstery. Natural wood grains, woven fibers and stone surfaces bring warmth and an organic quality to a space, while warm metallic finishes such as brass and antique gold add depth and richness. To evoke a greater sense of history and character, copper remains a timeless choice.
When texture supports the feeling you want to create, the room immediately becomes more cohesive and intentional.
Coordinate with color
Texture and color are closely connected, and each influences how the other can be perceived.
To keep a room from appearing busy, anchor your textures within a cohesive color palette. Even when incorporating several different materials and finishes, a consistent palette helps maintain a sense of balance and sophistication.
In fact, texture is often at its most impactful when color takes a quieter role. Neutral and monochromatic interiors rely on texture to provide variation and depth without sacrificing their sense of calm. In an all-white room, for example, layers of tile, plaster, linen, wood and stone can create remarkable dimension while preserving a clean, cohesive aesthetic.
When used thoughtfully, texture transforms a space from something simply beautiful into something truly memorable—an interior that not only looks exceptional, but feels exceptional too.
Make sure to layer
Once you’ve established the mood of a space, layering texture is what brings it to life.
Rooms that rely too heavily on a single texture—even when paired with a beautiful color palette—can feel flat or one-dimensional. Introducing a variety of textures throughout a room creates visual depth and makes the space feel more dynamic.
This layering can happen through upholstery, pillows, lighting, rugs and accessories, but it doesn’t stop there. Consider combining matte and glazed ceramics on a bookshelf, incorporating a handwoven rug beneath a seating area or adding dimension through limewash, Venetian plaster or textured wallpaper. Even in a restrained palette, these subtle variations create richness and interest.
The most sophisticated interiors often rely on texture, rather than color alone, to create complexity.
Consider contrasts
While much of your texture layering should be subtle, strategic contrasts can create some of the most memorable moments in a room.
Juxtaposing rough and smooth surfaces, matte and reflective finishes or structured forms and softer elements introduces an aesthetic that naturally draws the eye. Think exposed wood beams paired with sleek stone flooring, or a sculptural pendant light suspended beside flowing linen drapery.
These contrasts need not be dramatic to be effective. Sometimes a simple cashmere throw on a leather chair or silk cushions on a linen sofa provide just enough variation to make a space feel thoughtfully curated.
Texture often works best when different materials are allowed to play off one another.
Have a home that uses texture to perfection? Tell us about it on Instagram @njhomemag.