Color & texture: seemingly separate, yet so closely connected, where one element would be incomplete without the other. Together, the two add luxury to a space like none other—given that they’re chosen correctly. Now, what are the wrongs and rights of incorporating color and texture in tasteful interior design? Let’s find out.
Develop a Cohesive Color Story
The integral part of setting the tone of a space. Choosing the shades of the walls, furniture, and accents in isolation creates an underwhelming palette. Every element, even a simple decor piece over the coffee table, needs to be tied to the overall scheme. And how is that done? Here’s a quick overview…
Start with the anchor hue. Identify the most impactful color (the primary hue) in the room. Could be the wall color, a bold piece of furniture, or a signature accent.
Layer monochromatic elements through tonal variations of the primary shade.
Incorporate metallic accents. Helps keep the room from feeling flat.
Introduce intentional contrast. An opportunity to introduce pops of your favorite color.
A foolproof advice is to follow the 60-30-10 color rule. 60% of the primary color, 30% of the secondary shade, and 10% of bold accents. Simple but super effective.
Layer in Tactile Texture
Color is just the foundation; texture brings the space to life. How you combine different materials depends on the look you’re aiming to create. Fabrics like velvet exude a more dramatic vibe, while linen fabrics keep things organic. Equally important is paying attention to detail. Balance the hard and soft elements, and opt for finishes with an eye for craftsmanship.
Utilize Rich, Dimensional Finishes
Closely tied to texture, the finish of furniture pieces (and accents) needs to be considered, too. But again, the decision cannot be made without thinking of the color scheme. If, for example, your living room features a French-inspired palette, hand-carved furnishings and natural stone accents would be your best bet. Dark spaces, on the other hand, call for a more dramatic flair with features like walnut wood and gilded gold.
Prioritize Artful, Handcrafted Furniture
The aesthetic appeal of a furniture piece catches the eye almost instantly. But experts recommend looking beyond that, especially when decorating opulent interiors. True craftsmanship is what you need to look for.
Talking about mass-market pieces, they offer only a few limited finishes, choices that do not add much to the luxurious element of an interior. Instead, bespoke creations allow for so much customization. Customized scale, customized silhouettes, and customized proportions of your furniture pieces. It’s an opportunity to elevate every detail. Plus, ensure timelessness—and longevity.
Layer Textiles
The secret to producing a design that’s full of depth. And it can come through a whole host of ways, with examples including…
- Glazed vs. matte ornaments on a bookcase
- Book spines stacked on a table beside a sculpted glass lamp
- A polished granite fireplace + a tasseled rug in front of it
- Linen drapes beside a leather armchair
- A chunky knit over a velvet sofa
- A rattan pendant light over a glass dining table
Take a look around. You can probably already spot a few layered textiles in your own interior… but remember, true luxury always comes from planned, intentional choices, not just coincidental pairings.
Introduce Contrasting Fabrics
Source: Homes and Gardens
Contrasting fabrics, both in terms of color and feel, are great providers of balance. Your color palette might be focused on a couple of familiar shades. Try interrupting this bland consistency with a new texture. The stunning interest it will add, you’re definitely not ready for it. This applies vice versa, too. If the room has similar textures, you can break the monotony by varying colors. Either way, color balances textures, and textures balance colors.
Keep in Mind—Look beyond areas like the sofa and cushion upholstery. Don’t leave blinds, curtains, and lampshades out of the equation.
Add Patterns
Source: Homes and Gardens
An idea that’s focused on adding color, but brings the illusion of textures, too. Could be a bold geometric print on the curtains. A floral print on the bedding. Marble-printed or glasscloth wallpaper. 3D-effect tiles for the backsplash. Really anything that suits the overall design style 🤍
Decorate with Natural Elements
Another feature that combines both color and texture. Think organic, raw materials—choices that introduce effortless warmth to an interior, such as…
- Oak beams on the ceiling
- Rough-hewn limestone walls
- Seagrass baskets
- Jute rugs
- Pampas grass
- Exposed brick
Even something as simple as a planter of your favorite flowers will do the trick.
Don’t Forget the Lighting
The right fixtures + the right lighting temperature = a balance of texture & color.
Bedroom? Sleek fixtures & warm bulb temperature. Kitchen? Sculptural fixtures & neutral to cool bulb temperatures. Living room? Layered textures & inviting bulb temperatures. Dining room? Statement fixtures & intimate light temperature. Home office? Modern fixtures & cool bulb temperatures.
Install Wall Panels
Source: Homes and Gardens
A design move that’s as aesthetic as it is functional. Wall panels are a way to introduce color—and also enhance texture. Depending on the look you want to create, choose from…
- Fluted wall panels
- Luxe fabric panels
- Textured gypsum panels
- Marble-clad panels
- Wainscoting
Try Color Blocking
Source: Homes and Gardens
Color blocking, a technique for design-savvy homeowners. Two or more colors are combined into one room. You could either use two toned-down shades, two bold hues, or a mix of both to create balance. And it doesn’t have to be complicated, or expensive. Paint two adjacent walls in varying hues, or opt for a half-and-half approach, where one color covers the bottom half and another the top. Even pairing a sofa with a contrasting armchair works wonderfully. By extension, doors and trims in complementary colors look equally good.
Play with Textured Home Accessories
Pair textured home accessories to purposefully create an arrangement that makes a statement. The best part? You’ve got countless options here. No boundaries. Ornaments, vases, mirrors, sculptures, knits, throw pillows; you name it!
Careful not to mix too many competing finishes, though. The lack of link would produce a lack of direction. Remember, the objective isn’t to fill the room with every texture out there, but to welcome thoughtful characters that complement each other, both texture- and color-wise.
Refresh the Hardware
Source: Homes and Gardens
Hardware adds texture, sure. But is it adding the desired color, or competing with the overall scheme? Don’t let it pass. It’s a little detail that makes a big impact. You would want to pay attention here. Ask yourself, does the existing decor demand muted, metallic hardware finishes? Would you like to take the hardware as a chance to add color? Even better, is there an opportunity to mix and match colors and finishes?
Consider Room Size
An important (or, we’d say, the most important) consideration when choosing colors and textures. If there’s limited square footage, keep bold colors and textures limited. Opt for neutral hues that create the illusion of more space, and minimal textures that don’t overwhelm the room. If the room is big (quite big), it’s easier to play with varying hues and textiles. In fact, you would want to add more interest with more different materials and colors to make up for the hollowness of extra space.