TEXTURE IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED DURING THE EARLY STAGES OF DESIGNING A HOME.

Yet designing with texture is not only an element that completes the design but also one that can be manipulated to change the feel and mood of a space.

Using balance and contrast

Designing with texture is a little bit like painting on canvas with color. A variety of texture makes a room feel cozier. Smooth textures create a modern look while rough textures evoke a more rustic feel.

Even smooth surfaces — like the glass balls in this photo or a metal staircase — create textures. The “secret” to using them well is simple. It’s one of the basic principles of design — so perhaps not a secret at all.

You need the right balance of mass, scale and contrast to create a memorable space. Creating that balance is often a creative process, much like it is for an artist painting on the canvas.

Texture in All the Unusual Places

It’s easy to add texture by using an interesting “3D” wallpaper style or bringing outdoor materials indoors, like concrete. When we use texture at David Hopkins Design Group, we go far beyond that — incorporating it in unexpected ways.

Instead of a traditional decorative fireplace between two areas, why not use a clear-glass-faced fireplace with an inside base made of crushed colored rock? Instead of using plain doors, why not add textured glass that offers both beauty and privacy?

Designing with Texture – Keeping an Open Mind

In our quest for sustainable building, we tend to favor materials such as metals. They’re durable and low-maintenance, and are perfect for modern homes. But these materials can leave the home feeling cold and uninviting.

We can warm up the space not only by adding warmer materials — like wood — to the mix, but also by blending in other textures. And as much as we love unusual techniques, we don’t shy away from simple approaches like fabric furnishings or sound absorbing panels.

Perhaps there’s a secret to designing well with textures after all — it’s about keeping an open mind to possibilities.