3 Decor Textures I Love in Every Room

I wanted to share with you 3 decor textures I love to use in most every room in my home.  In the art world, you learn that texture includes anything from something shiny or metallic, to something furry or feathery, and everything in between! In the interior design world, texture builds on those same principles of art, but when layered around a room, adds visual interest, a sense of comfort, and can even be a focal point.

Today marks the second month in the Simply Home Series with a small group of lovely home bloggers whose style is similar to my own. Last month we shared how we organize an area in our home, and today we are all talking about how we use texture in our home. 

Texture is where I start after I have furniture layout and color scheme. If you are feeling “stuck” with a room in your home, where it feels a little ‘blah’, consider thinking about the layers of textures, and how they compare and contrast with one another. You want a variety of some contrasting and some repeating textures so your eyes move along the room and are ‘surprised’. You also have to be careful not to have too much texture or it can feel like sensory overload.

When designing and decorating a room there are 5 main textures I think about:  shiny/metallic, bumpy, smooth, fuzzy/furry, and lastly something with grain/veining– like stone or stained wood. 

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These different textures can be achieved with fabrics, furniture, lighting, flooring/floor covering, and decor.

Decor is a great way to bring in texture because it is easily switched out and it can quickly change the whole feel of a room or add subtle interest, depending on how you use it!

To bring in subtle visual interest to a room, there are 3 decor textures that I love to use in any room: Beads (bumpy texture), Brass (shiny/metallic), and Velvet (fuzzy). 

Beads

Large decor beads are not a commonly thought-of decor element, but they can add just the right texture and pop of color without being bulky or taking up much visual weight. 

I recently bought more strings of beads to add to my collection because I found them for a great price from The Bead Chest. I already owned several strands of the light blue recycled sea-glass beads (18 mm size) and the olive wood beads, but the green (18 mm), pink (14 mm), clear aqua (18 mm) recycled sea-glass, and white bone beads are all new! Fun fact, The Bead Chest supports Ghanan artisans and only sells 100% authentic, Fair Trade products.

I like to use a string of beads for coffee table styling on top of books…

…or in a small bowl/dish for console table styling…

… or they can be draped on sculptures!

Brass

Brass is a classic metal that has made a huge come-back in the past 10 years. It was wildly popular in the 50s-70s, and even in the 80’s, shiny brass was popularly used for door knobs and cheap faucets. That break in popularity was needed, because designers reinvented the different shades and sheens of it, so now you can add touches of ‘gold’ to any room whether it be a polished or brushed finish. 

I love to use brass as small accents pieces like planters or frames….

… in candle holders…

… in faucets and fixtures…

… and in lighting! 

This vintage chandelier is Spanish brass, and while it is quite heavy, it also adds a romantic charm to our dining room. Because the furniture is simple and unadorned, the elaborate texture of the brass chandelier becomes the focal point. 

In this picture of our basement, you can see I have the brass floor lamp, but on the sofa I also have a variety of pillows, including a dark blue velvet one! 

Which brings me to the last home decor texture I love to add…

Velvet

Velvet is another texture that has made a resurgence in the past 5-6 years. I love how it is not just a regular solid color, but whose shades of color are accentuated as the light hits it. Velvet brings a feeling of luxe comfort to any room. 

With velvet, less is more. A velvet texture is best used sparingly in a room and paired next to a pattern or linen texture pillow. If you use velvet curtains in a room, best to try different textures for your throw pillows so it doesn’t look too heavy or dark! 

Did you like this post? Let me know! And I would also love to know your favorite textures in your home! 

For more inspiration and to learn how my friends use texture in their home, please be sure to check out their blog posts below:

Tidbits

Maison de Cinq

Seeking Lavender Lane

Shades of Blue

So Much Better with Age

Thistlewood Farms