Are we scared by texture?
For too long, we've relied on plain, safe coloured fabrics whilst only having fun with texture and colour on scatter cushions or accents. Choosing the suitable materials for your home often comes with trepidation or as an afterthought. We all think about how colour makes us feel in a space but rarely how the textures in a room will contribute to the overall ambience.
Texture is an essential part of interior design; it is more than just how décor and soft furnishings feel; it is also about 'visual texture' and utilising diverse materials to provide interest and vitality to a place. Texture can be what makes a room over what colours are used. It's critical to consider the entire space and bring various materials together to add depth and dimension whilst ensuring comfort and usability.
The way people view their homes has changed and with it, so has the way we decorate and consider a space. There's an increased use of texture across the upholstery industry as people look for more tactile, deeper meaningful relationships with things.
What do we mean by texture?
Texture is not just how an object feels but also how it appears to the eyes; almost everything we see has a texture. The key to understanding texture in interior furnishings is that texture should be used intentionally. Like colour, some textures complement each other, some are very compatible, and others require more consideration. You wouldn't paint a colour combination on your wall without thinking about how they will work together, and texture should be treated no different.
As colour influences how a room feels, texture functions similarly. Rough textures are more likely to make a room seem rustic and grounded, whereas smooth textures create a sleeker, more contemporary tone. What textures are chosen is influenced by what the room is intended for and their position once in the space.
It's worth keeping in mind the difference between texture and pattern, these two concepts are often discussed simultaneously, yet they are different components of design. Pattern is a visible print; however, texture is how something feels. Instead of picking one over the other include both in your decor; this can be done by incorporating textured fabric that already has a pattern. Our Sorrento and Cairns ranges are good examples of texture with pattern. Cairns has a subtle herringbone running through it, whereas Sorrento has a stronger, more dynamic herringbone. Both offer a great textured feel but bring an overall patterned finish.
See more from our Sorrento and Cairns Ranges
Which textures create what feelings?
Texture gives a room charm and allows you to add your personality. For example, have you walked into an area set up in a furniture store and felt at home, like you want to buy the whole room? That's because the textures have been carefully considered and used to play to our emotions. Texture is a great way to add visual weight to a space, a shag-pile rug, textured wallpaper and boucle blanket are examples of textured items. Whilst Boucle furniture is a big texture trend at the moment, it's not for everyone, and there are many different textures out there that can be used on furniture.
As human beings, touch is one of our senses, so we are always keen to run our hands over something. But like most things, how one person feels about something to another is very different; texture works the same. Texture is personal, and consideration should be taken when deciding what texture will work on what design.
Softer textures are often associated with smoother fabrics, but this isn't always the case; many heavier textured fabrics can give that soft feeling. Many of our textured fabrics like Hopsack, Kansas, Malham and Cologne are visually heavy textures but upholstered on furniture; they provide a soft, cosy effect. The room's purpose also influences the feeling attached to the fabrics used. The bedroom, for instance, makes us think about soft fluffy materials as they are associated with a sense of calm and sleep. Headboards, dressing room chairs, curtains and cushions are all furniture associated with the bedroom, and these items are more likely to be upholstered in softer textures.
More functional living spaces allow for more texture and colour, and bolder fabrics can be used as people bring their personality to their room designs. Colourful textures like our Piero and Vegas ranges allow multi colours to be used in one area, providing a palette for the rest of the room to work off. These colourful textures create a more playful emotion and can bring a room to life.
See how Piero and Vegas can provide colour
Bringing texture to the home
Adding texture to the home isn't just about randomly combining different materials. Consideration must be taken on how the textures work together and the overall result. Adding textured furniture effectively adds texture to a room, but furniture alone will not create the finished results. Using furniture as an anchor allows you to layer up and use other textures to create the perfect overall balance. Here are three ways in which you can take your rooms to the next level........
1 – Layer different textures
Layering is above creating depth and bringing a persona to a room. Covering the room with various textures creates a cohesive blend of objects. Layering combines colours, patterns, textures, styles and designs to create a textural conversation. Layering textures allows you to take simple fabrics and work them together to create interest. As we know, trends change, so by keeping your upholstery furniture simple, you can add texture by layering with cushions, throws and statement curtains; this allows you to mix up your style often.
Alternatively, you could design your room around a large textured sofa and add more simple textures as accents. Layering is a fun and effective way of bringing a room to life.
Explore more textured fabrics here
2- Use contrasting fabrics
Contrasting fabrics allow you to use a tonal palette but use texture to create interest. Muted palettes and monochrome are popular interior design trends but often can lack substance. Using textures as the main feature can bring life to these trends. Natural and earthy tones are also dominating spaces currently. Using contrasting textures, the natural theme can really play to our emotional desire for harmonious, comfortable, safe places. Wood and leather are a texture combination that has long been used, but by throwing on some textured cushions, placing a boucle footstool and laying a fur rug, the room is transformed into a textural haven.
Our leather-look ranges like Milan and Altara provide the perfect starting point for contrasting fabrics; mixed with our subtle boucle Lyon or paired with some Vegas cushions contrasting fabrics start to come into their own. Playing around with the fabric as well as the frame material of the furniture design can really bring a design to life.
3- Using colour with texture
Choosing a colour palette is one of the most crucial decisions you will make while designing your house. The most pleasing colour palettes are engaging, give that feeling of equilibrium, and extend the message you're attempting to portray. But how do you go about it?
The use of natural and earthy colours is a trend that doesn't appear to be going away, but the mixing of colours is set to come in as we move forward into 2023, whether it be minimalist, Scandi or used in a statement way. Textured fabric allows for subtle colours or a rich, full palette; using texture, multi-colours can be added without being overpowering.
How colour works in a room can depend on lighting; because colour absorbs and reflects light from its surface, texture influences how we perceive colour. Rough textiles like Piero and Sorrento absorb light and make a colour appear warmer, whereas more reflective fabrics, such as Kansas, bounce light back into a space and make it appear lighter.
Most importantly, have fun
When it comes to designing furniture or the room it will sit in the important thing is to enjoy the process. Experimenting with texture is always the best way to find out what will work, whether draping fabric over a chair, mocking a design up or touching lots of different samples. As we've discovered, texture is all about the feel.
Explore more of our textured ranges here or contact our Sales team to discuss your projects further.
