Textural Decorating Tips
Texture refers to the way that an object feels when it’s touched or rubbed against. However in decorating, texture is also a visual element. That is because when you look at an object, your mind brings up a lot of different information about it. This includes the way it feels when you touch it or hold it. Thus, when you walk into a space, you are not only seeing the various surfaces, you are also imagining the way they feel, and thus, to a lesser extent, experiencing that textural sensation, without even having to reach.
This can be exemplified by imagining a cold, blustery, winters evening. You step into the house and the first thing that you see is a thick fuzzy blanket, lying drooped across the couch. As soon as your gaze falls on this object, your mind is going to access memories of being nestled under the covers, its going to bring up thoughts of softness, and warmth, and in a way just viewing this item will make you feel a little less cold.
In general fuzzy items are going to make a space feel warmer. This can be as simple as adding pillows or throws to a room, but can also extend into features such as thick velvet curtains, or soft fluffy throw rugs. Couch and seat liners can also be used to add a little cozy comfort to the rooms seating arrangements.
The opposite effect can be achieved by using smooth, sleek surfaces. The flatter and more solid an item, the less heat it will tend to retain, making these objects inherently colder than their fuzzy counterparts. Just think about the cool smooth texture of glass, steel, or polished marble decor. These materials have a formal, chilly energy, that will make a room seem more remote and less hot, a trick which can be used to good effect during warm summer months.
Sleek polished textures also tend to indicate a more modern style when used in the home. The natural world is often rough and rustic, and it’s only in recent decades that we have developed the ability to mass produce perfectly formed designs. That means that anything which looks like it was manufactured by a machine is going to have a contemporary feel, which can lend a modern sensibility to your home.
By contrast items with a rougher or more rugged texture will tend to connect a space back to the natural living world. The infinite imperfections which make up the texture of brick, wood, or concrete, will align with things in nature such as trees, rocks, and earth. Slate coasters will simulate the look of a mountain, while wrought iron will reconnect the space with your rustic roots. This can be a good way to give your space a distinct personality, which will be more unique because of the imperfections that give it its appearance.
Texture is a vital element when trying to create a deep and intriguing decorative atmosphere. It can engage the senses, creating an atmosphere of warmth or chill, formality or comfort.
