This month I’m going to take a look at the subject of Texture and how we can use it with a little creativity to bring a room to life.
To use it correctly it is important to understand the effects that certain textures have on us, not only in the way that they look and feel but also in the moods that they create. There are two main types of texture, rough or smooth but there are also four key finishes that all have their own unique characteristics, here is a brief run down on some of the main points;
These are associated with feelings of warmth and also with nature, adding a matt finish to a rough texture will also give the appearance of added weight. If a texture is particularly coarse it can give the impression of being much closer than it actually is, so you must always bear this in mind when working in smaller areas as it will make the space feel very claustrophobic. Coarse textures on the other hand are fabulous in large rooms as they help to reduce the scale and hence make the area more inviting. One of this years biggest trends is the use of rock and coarse grainy wood so it looks like we will be seeing a lot more of rough textures in 2014.
These can often appear cool and sophisticated, making them ideal for modern homes or for business use. A major benefit of using smooth textures in and around the home is that they reflect light extremely well, giving the impression of significantly larger spaces, even in smaller rooms. There are many materials to choose from but the current trend is towards shiny polished metals such as brass or copper, polished marble also appears to be making a come back. A slightly warmer, softer feel can be achieved by having a very fine grained finish applied to your chosen material, this will give the smooth surface a matt finish, creating greater shadows and definition on curved items.
When mixing textures there are a few golden rules that you should always remember;
The most obvious way to add texture in a room is through a flooring material, this could be done by using; carpets, ceramic tiles, wooden / laminate flooring or even sustainable flooring such as bamboo or cork. The walls are a similar story, they can be; painted, papered, plastered, or built from a huge selection of stone, marble or brick finishes. These are not the only way of adding texture to a room though, here are a few ideas that can really add depth to any room;
Next month I will be taking a look at space planning and how this can be used to add symmetry and accessibility to your home, until then I hope you enjoy experiment with texture.
Carl