Textured furniture, the new trend that adds depth to your home

Textured furniture is the latest part of the trend decorating renaissance, that surfaces have seen over the last few years. Glass panes have become fluted, tiles take a tactile twist and the smartest wallpaper ideas explore the three dimensional. Now it’s the furniture's turn to get involved. Cabinets, wardrobes, sideboards, drawers and desks are eschewing flat fronts, smooth doors and level panels in favour of something a little more decorative, as thin, slat-like grooves take over storage in every room of the house.

You know how sometimes you can just look at a room and know that something is missing? All the components of a complete design are there – color scheme, furniture, décor items – but the entire room just feels a little flat. For some reason, texture seems to always be an afterthought when it comes to interiors and we’re here to change that. Texture is the thing that makes a room pop. It’s what brings a perfectly fine design up to enviable levels.

In design parlance, texture is often defined as, “the sensations caused by the external surface of objects received through the sense of touch.” Basically, how things feel.

While texture may play a supporting role to the function of the space, it is no less vital to a design’s success.

Remember how when we talked about color theory, we discussed how using a warm or cool color can affect how a space feels? Texture works in a similar way. Rough textures are more likely to make a space feel intimate and grounded while smooth textures bring a sleeker more aloof tone to the room.

You should also consider the placement of textures as you go about designing your room. Putting a smooth texture directly next to a rough one while making the rough object stand out more and seem weightier than if you space them apart. Use distance to determine how subtle of a visual weight you would like to achieve.

Contrast is essential when it comes to design because it keeps things balanced and also provides visual interest. If everything is too similar, our eyes have trouble focusing and tend to glaze over. Use texture to make sure your most important elements pop.

Restraint, of course, is also key, so try not to go too texture crazy. Stick to two or three distinct textures in any single space. Choose three when you want people to take in the space as a whole and stick to two when you want to emphasize a prominent focal point.

Texture is particularly important if you’re working within a particular color palette where the shades are very similar. When using a monochromatic or analogous color scheme, make sure you choose items that heavily contrast. When they come together, they will bring a sense of harmony to the space.

Here are a few ways that we suggest adding texture to a room:

Architectural Elements: If you’re lucky enough to have crown molding, chair rails, or tray ceilings in your home, make them a focal point.

Furniture: Wooden benches, satin reading chairs, and marble tabletops all bring a distinct feel to the space.

Décor Items: Shadow boxes, knick-knacks or even flowers could be used.

Floor and Wall Coverings: A carefully placed throw rug or even some patterned wall design will bring tons of depth to the room.

Textiles: Use clothes like slipcovers, throw pillows, and even blankets to make the room pop.

Whether you choose a throw rug to warm up your bedroom room or a wooden coffee table to bring life to your living space, the importance of texture is clear. It completes the room. Texture is the component that helps elevate your interiors to the next level. Don’t be afraid of it in your own interiors. Instead, use it to create interiors that feel fit for a magazine.