Texture Is Doing the Heavy Lifting
In 2024, interior design is taking a tactile turn. Texture isn’t just a detail—it’s a foundational element that’s shaping how spaces look, feel, and function. Whether it’s soft, rugged, or sleek, mixing materials thoughtfully can bring depth and personality into any room.
Natural Elements: Bringing the Outside In
Designers are embracing organic materials to reconnect indoor environments with nature. These textures add warmth and grounding tones to modern interiors.
- Wood: raw, stained, or reclaimed finishes
- Stone: from smooth marble to rough slate
- Rattan: light, airy, and perfect for accent furniture
Soft Touches: Comfort You Can Feel
Soft materials create a cozy, inviting atmosphere while adding visual softness to interiors. They work especially well in layering and contrasting with harder surfaces.
- Velvet: rich and plush
- Wool: classic and insulating
- Linen: breathable and textured
- Bouclé: trendy and tactile
Hard Contrast: Sleek and Structured
To balance softer textures, harder elements like metals and glass introduce a clean, modern edge. These touchpoints add shine and structure to the overall look.
- Metals: brushed brass, matte black, or polished chrome
- Ceramics: handmade or glossy glazed
- Glass: clear, smoked, or etched for subtle dimension
Unexpected Layers: Surprising Dimensions
Design experimentation is moving beyond floors and furniture. Surfaces like walls and ceilings are being transformed into textured statements that elevate the entire space.
- Textured wall treatments: plaster, panels, or fabric coverings
- Ceiling accents: exposed beams, wallpaper, or architectural molding
- Art with dimension: sculptural pieces, reliefs, or layered canvases
Texture in 2024 isn’t an afterthought—it’s a design strategy. By mixing elements consciously, creators and designers can shape environments that feel both dynamic and deeply livable.
Designing with Texture: The Rule of Three and Beyond
Textures are one of the most overlooked but powerful tools in interior design. More than just how a surface looks, texture affects how a space feels—visually and emotionally. In 2024, designers are leaning into texture not just for contrast, but for cohesion and storytelling.
The Rule of Three: Layering Intentionally
The “Rule of Three” is a go-to design principle for building engaging interiors. It recommends mixing at least three different textures in a single space to create depth and visual interest.
Common Textural Combinations:
- Soft: velvet, linen, brushed cotton
- Hard: metal, glass, polished stone
- Organic: wood grain, rattan, raw clay
Tip: Use the Rule of Three as a creative framework rather than a rigid formula. The goal is to create balance and subtle contrast, not clutter.
Working with Light and Shadow
Texture doesn’t live in isolation—it interacts with light and shadow. The same wall finish or fabric can appear dramatically different based on how light hits it.
Consider These Elements:
- Directional lighting enhances shadow play on rough textures
- Glossy surfaces create reflections, while matte finishes absorb light
- Natural light brings out the honest character of organic materials
Knowing how lighting will interact with textures allows for smarter placement of materials and better control of the ambiance.
Anchor with a Color Story
While mixing textures adds complexity, a strong color story brings it all together. Without a consistent palette, textured elements can look random or chaotic.
How to Anchor with Color:
- Choose a dominant base color (e.g., warm neutrals, cool greens)
- Layer in textiles and elements in shades within that palette
- Use accent colors sparingly to emphasize texture, not compete with it
A cohesive color foundation ensures that texture enhances the design rather than competing for attention.
Ultimately, the most stunning interiors use texture with purpose—layered, lit, and grounded in color.
Texture in design isn’t just how something feels to the touch. It’s also how it looks—visual texture can come from a carefully chosen wallpaper, a layered rug, or even the grain in unfinished wood. Tactile texture involves the real thing: rough linens, smooth metals, soft velvets. Both play an essential role in shaping how a space feels.
Flat or overly minimal interiors can read cold, even when they’re technically well-designed. Texture adds life. A room with layered materials—say, concrete next to wool, or leather beside matte ceramics—avoids that sterile, showroom effect. It feels lived-in, intentional.
But texture’s real power is emotional. It grounds a space. It gives the eye and body something to connect with. Soft textures can calm. Coarse ones can energize. When used well, texture doesn’t just decorate a room. It tells a story, often without a single word.
Texture Mistakes to Avoid in Design
Texture can elevate any room, but when misused, it can quickly overwhelm a space. In 2024, texture remains a key interior design trend—however, balance and intentionality are essential.
When Variety Becomes Visual Clutter
Using different textures is a great way to add depth, but there’s a fine line between contrast and chaos.
- Too many competing textures can create confusion instead of cohesion
- Materials like velvet, rattan, boucle, and wood all have strong personalities—be selective
- Choose 2 to 3 dominant textures and let the rest play supporting roles
Tip: Use a consistent color palette to tie mixed textures together.
The Importance of Scale and Proportion
Texture needs space to breathe. Ignoring proportion often leads to elements that feel cramped or overbearing.
- Large textures in small spaces can feel overwhelming
- Delicate textures may get lost in rooms with oversized furniture
- Balance tactile elements with surrounding shapes and layout
Think in layers: How each surface interacts with the others should feel intentional, not accidental.
Function Still Matters
Incorporating texture should enhance, not hinder, how you use a space. Comfort and practicality should never be sacrificed for looks.
- Avoid scratchy fabrics in areas meant for lounging
- Think about cleanability for high-traffic spaces and homes with pets or kids
- Choose textures that both look great and support daily life
Texture is a powerful tool—but only when it supports the experience of the space.
Living Room: Start with rugs—they anchor the space and bring texture underfoot. Layer a large neutral base with a smaller patterned rug on top if you want depth without clutter. Add a mix of throw pillows in varying shapes and fabrics for a lived-in, intentional look. Avoid overdoing it—three to five pillows can go a long way. Curtains should either pool slightly on the floor or hang just above it. Stick with soft, heavy fabrics that frame natural light instead of blocking it. Think in layers, not volume.
For more cozy strategies, check out Top 10 Living Room Décor Tips for a Cozy and Modern Look.
Texture lasts because it speaks to something deeper than trend cycles. While colors get swapped every season and styles rotate faster than ever, texture grounds a space. It adds character, age and detail that can’t be faked. Whether it’s raw linen, unfinished oak or hand-glazed ceramic, texture engages the senses in a way trends never will.
If you’re looking to future-proof your interiors, start by thinking tactile. Lean into materials that wear well, that age beautifully and that don’t scream for attention. Texture doesn’t have to be loud. It just needs to feel real. You want depth, not decoration.
Start with what you already have. A well-used leather chair. A jute rug. The nubby throw that’s been in the family for years. Then layer with intention. Maybe it’s a roughcast wall, a matte vase, or a boucle bench. Each element adds subtle dimension. No trend can compete with that.