DESIGN RULES: TEXTURE AND PATTERNS

Before we talk about texture and how it can affect an Interior Space, let’s quickly de-brief on the term “Elements of Design”. To create visually appealing spaces, interior designers apply various elements of design-line and shape, colour, texture & pattern, proportion, and light. In previous posts, we discussed how colour and light could be applied in Residential & Commercial interiors to communicate a corporate message through a built environment,

Today let’s Focus on Texture and Pattern. 

Interior designing is one of the fields which requires creativity or we can say that Interior designing work with creativity. Every place whether it is a restaurant, house, office or even a salon, interior designing is the part of that premises.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY TEXTURE ?

You know how sometimes you can just look at a room and know that something is missing? All the components of a complete design are there-colour scheme, furniture, décor items-but the entire room just feels a little flat. If this scenario feels familiar, you are not alone and we might just have the answer you need!!

Don’t worry if this all seems new. We’re here to offer you a brief primer on the importance of texture, as well as how to effectively apply its design tenants in your own home. Additionally, we often make assumptions about the texture of a material based on our memory of touching similar surfaces. In other words, texture in a decorated space can be described as either Visual or Tactile, in a characteristic of something like fabric, timber, carpet or glass. Tactile texture relates to the actual feeling (sense of touch) of a surface like smooth, rough, soft, and hard, etc. Visual texture, are those that immediately appeal to our perception of what a texture might feel like (visual sense on first glance). So, which type of texture is right for your space? Before deciding on which textures are right for your space, it’s best to choose a design style. When an interior designer refers to the texture they are speaking to the surface quality of a material. Every surface has a texture whether it be smooth or rough, bumpy or flat. Our perception of texture is also influenced by the textures of adjacent surfaces, our viewing distance, as well as the lighting applied. For example, rough surfaces seem more textured next to smooth surfaces, when viewed up close, and when grazed with light (i.e. lit from the side).

Using Texture At Home!!

All that reasoning as to why you should use texture is well and good, but it only goes so far if you don’t know how to effectively bring it into your home. Here are a few ways that we suggest adding texture to a room:

• Architectural Elements:If you’re lucky enough to have crown moulding, chair rails, or tray ceilings in your home, make them a focal point.
• Furniture: Wooden benches, satin reading chairs, and marble table-tops all bring a distinct feel to space.
• Décor Items: Shadow-boxes, knick-knacks or even flowers could be used.
• Floor and Wall Coverings: A carefully placed throw rug or even some patterned wall design will bring tons of depth to the room.
• Textiles: Use cloths like slip-covers, throw pillows, and even blankets to make the room pop.

NOW LET US LEARN ABOUT PATTERNS!!

Although a pattern can help to add texture to space it has a very different definition. Pattern relates to the repetition of a graphic motif on a material. Remember that texture refers to the 2D quality of a surface, whereas a pattern relates to illustrative perception. In commercial interior design, a pattern is often applied using wall coverings, tile, carpeting, and other graphic elements. Like texture, the pattern can also define surfaces, impact scale, convey a design style, and add visual interest to a space. Be careful when applying pattern; if it’s not well balanced it can really overwhelm an interior environment.

As mentioned, texture and pattern have a huge role in defining the design style of space. This is why in interior design, it is very important that these elements are applied in a way that relates to the corporate brand of the business. Send the right message to a client by applying the various elements of design in an effective way.

Tips to Help You Use Texture and Pattern in Your Home:

• Don’t underestimate the power of texture and pattern, both have an important role in drawing the elements of a room together and making it appear welcoming. Be careful to ensure that the ‘visual weight’ of these elements is balanced.
• Because of the strong associations that we have with materials, textures and patterns can be used to make a space appropriate for a particular purpose or for an individual.
• Light will affect texture: direct light will enhance it, whereas diffused light will detract from it. Every texture also reflects light differently, so use shiny reflective textures where more light is needed and darker, more absorbent textures where the light level is too high.
• As we all know infants and children’s will constantly search for visual activities all around them, so cater to this interest using colourful patterns and texture in the rooms where they sleep and play will be a great idea.
• High-contrast, visually stimulating patterns can be disorientating, so use them subtly in your interior.
• Choosing a pattern for an interior is the most instant way of ‘buying into’ a given style. An initial selection of fabric or wallpaper can even provide the colour, design and style basis for the whole room.
• Choose wallpapers and fabrics with a vertical design emphasis to give an impression of more height. Use horizontal textures across the short length of a room to draw the eye across and increase the length of the space.
• Non-geometric patterned wallpaper will provide good camouflage for walls with surface irregularities.
• Heavily patterned designs have a tendency to advance towards the observer, whereas less dense patterns will not be as powerful.
• Use texture and pattern to create areas of interest to guide the eye to particular focal points.
• Too large a repeat used as a wallcovering will make a room appear smaller, so use large-scale patterns on large areas or expanses of wall and smaller patterns on smaller walls.
• Balance strong patterns with more subdued tones to avoid overpowering a room. Think of using these elements in layers, from strong to subtle, creating a balanced look.

These are great elements to play around with and can be done in small amounts too. Use bold patterns on your cushions, combine it with a similar coloured highly textured cushions, see what happens in your space. You can have a lot of fun playing around with texture and pattern.

CONCLUSION

There are many patterns and textures available for design. However, not every element or a combination will work for you. Go for options that can help you create stunning, modern designs. When designing a room, the use of texture and pattern adds the comfort factor and heightens our experience of the space.

So, Do you consider texture when redesigning your interiors? What are your favourite ways to lend visual weight to space?

Tell us in the comments.