How To - Adding Texture

Last week we discussed the importance of texture and how it adds life and warmth to our homes. Perhaps it was the cold weather or copious amounts of snow, but several of you reached out asking for more.

In response to your questions, here are a few of my favourite ways to add texture and warmth as you decorate your home for the holidays:

Furniture – Whether you thought of it originally or not, every piece of furniture has a certain texture that contributes to the visual interest of your home. The coolness of leather over the warmth of fabric, the glossiness of lacquer over the roughness of natural wood – everything has its own texture. So why not add warmth this time of year with a new piece of furniture. Whether a live edge coffee table or a velvet ottoman with tufting, both add instant warmth no matter how minimalist or contemporary the space. The same goes for a well-placed antique with a natural patina that helps ground the rest of your décor.

Textiles – November is the perfect time to add more texture and pattern to your home. Swap your pillows, add cozy throws and blankets, opt for warmer sheets and bedding... The options are truly endless when it comes to patterns, materials and textures but the warmer and cozier the better. Think wool like a Hudson Bay blanket or the texture of your favourite, cable nit sweater.

Dress up your table with warmth as well by adding a linen tablecloth or make your seating more inviting with a few sheepskins from IKEA. Velvet and faux fur are especially popular this time of year and don’t have to break the bank. By adding a few items you’ll improve how you and your guests enjoy your home this holiday season.

Area Rugs – Rugs ground and tie a space together making them one of my favourite ways to add colour, texture, pattern and warmth to a room. They also serve the added benefit of defining different areas, which is especially important in an open concept home.

Investing in a beautiful area rug is like investing in artwork – it can be expensive and you have to love it - but the right rug doesn’t have to cost a fortune to add texture and pattern.

Be sure to keep in mind how a rug feels in addition to how it looks. Jute and natural fiber rugs are affordable but you may not like how they feel underfoot. Kilim rugs are also very popular but lack the warmth of a wool or synthetic rug with a higher pile.

Whether soft or rough, made of natural or manufactured fibers, remember rugs don’t have to be on the floor. Many silk rugs are works of art and look beautiful when hung decoratively on a wall.

Architectural Elements – If you’re fortunate enough to live in an older home or a hard loft chances are you have an abundance of architectural elements that help add texture and visual interest to your home.

Exposed brick, detailed trim, wood beams, herringbone floors, crown molding and decorative ceilings are all examples of texture that can be highlighted or added to a space. Even cement pillars, floors or ceilings found in new condos help serve as texture and modern examples of architectural elements.

Adding decorative molding is a relatively inexpensive and easy way to add texture. Also consider highlighting existing elements with lighting to draw more attention. There are several realistic mural products on the market that give you the look of cement, natural wood etc. without the cost or mess of installing the real thing. Wallpaper is also back in a big way and can be added to any space on the ceiling or the walls to help add pattern and texture in a home lacking other architectural features.

Books and Accessories – We rarely think of books as décor but they are a great way to add colour, texture and warmth to a room. What you add to bookcases, coffee tables and other areas in the way of accessories also add texture and personality to a room. Beware of adding too much texture in the way of clutter or not enough. As with any design element, it’s important to find a balance that works well and represents you.

Texture not only gives the sense of depth, comfort and warmth, it also serves to dampen noise and softens how we perceive and appreciate our homes. It can add contrast – think of a lacquered console against a rough brick wall – or compliment architectural elements in your décor. Remember the more monochromatic and neutral a space the more texture it deserves to ensure visual interest and warmth.

By playing with the suggestions above you can add pattern, texture and approachability to your home making it more inviting for the holidays and also warmer until spring.