Using Textiles in Interior Design

Texture adds visual and tactile interest and personality to a room. Most people incorporate it intuitively, but with a little planning, you can use it to elevate your design skills. Layering different textures allows you to create a more dynamic and inviting environment, but be careful not to go overboard. Too many textures, and the room may start to feel busy or cluttered.

Some ways to add texture to a room are universal, while others are more dependent on the type of room you're decorating. For example, table linens work well in the dining room or kitchen, but a throw blanket would make little sense in those places. As we walk through the list of types of textiles you can add to a room, use your imagination to picture how you would use them in your own home.

• Carpet or rugs: Wall-to-wall carpet is popular in bedrooms in modern homes because it literally adds a layer of warmth to the floor and the feeling of warmth when you enter the room. Rugs can do the same on hardwood or laminate flooring, and they can also help define the space. Whether outlining the seating area of your dining room or providing softness under foot when getting into or out of your bed, rugs are versatile tools in home décor.

• Upholstered furniture: Textures or patterns on a couch, chair, or your bed's headboard can help create the mood in a room. From modern geometric shapes to plush velvet, use textiles on furniture to highlight your personal style. For example, the boucle fabric used for the cushions on our Coronado Lounge Chair is soft, yet has an elegant feel. Paired with the simplicity of the chairs shape, it creates a relaxed aesthetic.

• Window treatments: Drapes or curtains made from heavy fabrics, like wool, can darken a room for better sleep while also providing texture on an otherwise plain wall. Pair them with sheer fabric to help diffuse sunlight and visual depth. Roman shades are another way to add texture to a window area with textiles.

• Throw blankets: Drape a stylish throw blanket, like our Cortina Throw over the back of your sofa to create an inviting place for company. You could also add our plush Bubble Cuddle Blanket over your favorite recliner to add a visual reminder to take time each day to relax.

• Bedding: Your bed is a natural place to layer textiles for comfort and visual appeal. Start with our smooth Bamboo Viscose Sheets for the best sleep of your life, and then add an extra layer of breathable warmth, like our Waffle Blanket for its contrasting texture.

• Throw pillows: In the bedroom, living room, or your office, throw pillows offer a personal touch that makes the room more inviting. From the sophisticated pinstripe of our Florence Pillow to the plush hug that is our Cuddle Pillow, there are many options that can add elegance or playfulness to your space.

• Fabric lampshades: A smooth fabric lampshade is fine for diffusing harsh indoor lighting, but consider switching it out for one like linen or burlap for a little extra texture. Pleated materials would take the idea a step farther and may create interesting shadow play on other surfaces.

• Wall hangings: Tapestries have traditionally been a way to add texture to a bland wall, and these days, you can find less formal, more fun versions online. Whether you choose a fabric version of an impressionist painting or a stylized scene from your favorite movie, tapestries have become much more than the formal, stuffy things of old castles.

• Poufs and floor cushions: For extra seating in a room meant for lounging, we recommend poufs and versatile floor cushions. These can be your finishing touches, but don't make them afterthoughts. Choose textures and patterns that complement the room while adding comfort and that warm, inviting feeling guests are expecting.

Visual texture is a key element in interior design, and we hope this guide helps you feel inspired and confident to use textiles thoughtfully and creatively in yours.