Texture In Interior Decorating

As color is the most important and visible factor in setting the mood of a room, the effects of texture are almost subliminal in nature. Texture is used to add interest and to tie a decorating scheme together. As babies, touch is our first sensation; we can feel before our eyesight develops. So texture affects us deeply, whether or not we are aware of it. Texture adds excitement to our interiors. It creates a conscious need to touch and explore, thus drawing the viewer into a room. Once inside the space, texture creates interest for the eye as it moves about the room. Texture isn’t achieved through just fabric alone. It’s also brought into a room by the use of florals, either silk flower arrangements, plants, feathers or botanicals. Texture is also found in heavily grained woods (oak and pecan), wicker, and rush caning. There is also perceived texture such as faux finishes on walls and in fabrics.

Can you have too much texture? Strive to achieve a balance of smooth surfaces and textured accents. The smooth surfaces give the eye rest before it moves on to the next item of interest. Remember that the carpet, upholstery, and window treatments all add texture in varying amounts. For these core pieces, choose less textured fabrics: these elements are more expensive, therefore less frequently changed. The less heavily textured these items are, the less likely that you will grow tired of them too quickly. This theory applies to color also: see previous articles in the lower left hand of your screen. Save the heavy texture (and vivid colors) for items you might change when the mood strikes: throw pillows, throws, tassels, silk floral arrangements, wall art.

Here are some helpful guides for the use of texture in your interior decorating:

• If you have textured walls choose wall art that is less textured such as traditional prints and perhaps a big clock. If you have smooth-surfaced walls use fabric wall art, bas-relief (2-D) wall plaques, architectural elements such as crosses, scrolls, ledges, and wall vases filled with silk flowers, botanicals or feathers. • Space your florals and botanicals evening throughout the room. • Selecting your textured accessories in your chosen accent colors and distributing them carefully about the room creates balance in your interior decorating. An additional note: texture darkens color, so a color will appear darker on a textured wall treatment than on a plain painted surface. Usually this makes little difference, but if you are trying to match colors exactly, keep this in mind.

Another use of texture is to select fabrics that tie your decorating scheme together. Fabrics can be casual or dressy, so depending on the mood you are trying to strike, choose your fabrics accordingly. Examples of dressy fabrics are chintz, silk, satin or anything with a shiny surface. Some examples of casual fabrics are unpolished cotton, nubby silk, linen, and anything loosely woven.

To summarize, texture adds an almost subconscious excitement to a room. In addition, it can be used to tie a decorating scheme together by choosing fabrics that reflect the mood you are trying to achieve. Selecting your textured accessories in your chosen accent colors and distributing them carefully about the space further acts to tie your decorating scheme together.

And remember: always, always bring only things you love into your home.