Texture – Learning the Basics

Introduction to Texture in interior design

Think in terms of: •Light reflection          A carpet will reflect less light than a wooden floor •Visual & Tactile texture         By adding a glass top to a roughly hewn coffee table you will change the tactile texture whilst retaining the visual texture •Scale         A sofa upholstered in a chunky cord is going to look very different to the same sofa upholstered in linen •Suitability        It may be great to have a sleek marble floor in a contemporary bathroom, but is it a practical choice?

Texture & Scale

One of the basic principles of using texture has to do with scale. Rough, coarse textures tend to make an object feel heavier, while smoother textures will make it feel lighter. 

Texture & Light

Texture can suggest temperature: smooth and shiny textures which reflect more light and give a cool impression; soft, raised textures, which absorb more light, convey a sense of warmth. Rooms we would describe as ‘cosy’ usually include lots of texture.