Pre-built homes exist on the market and are move-in ready within weeks. However, you chose to build a custom home since you value the customization it offers. You want a sustainable home with an open-floor design and green features. From colour and furniture to every nitty-gritty detail about mirror placement in the living room, you’ve thought it all through. However, most homeowners fail to account for a key interior design element- textures.
Textures are a much-overlooked design element that most homeowners miss out on. However, when done right with the help of reputable Vancouver home builders, it can uplift the appeal of every room dramatically. Apart from aesthetics, textures are also very physical and add sensory depth for both you and your guests.
What are textures?
A lot of people confuse texture with patterns and sometimes use it interchangeably. Interior designers define texture as physical variation in different materials that can be felt upon touch. Textures are also very visual and can go a long way to decide:
- The vibe
- Functionality
- Comfort, and
- Spatial perception of a room.
The best home construction companies have skilled and experienced designers who cleverly leverage textures to create a visual hierarchy.
Let’s check out a few brilliant ways of using textures in your new home:
1. Use contrast
If you’re going for a minimal look, you may have chosen a neutral colour palette for different rooms. Unfortunately, neutrals blend out the difference between shades and can make things look a bit too uniform and boring. The best custom home builders use contrasting textures to switch things up and introduce differences in a space without straying away from the minimal theme.
For instance, you can use contrasting fabrics for the furniture to create a visual difference even if you decide to stick with a monochrome style. For instance, fuzzy grey pillows stand out when they sit on a couch with velvety smooth seats.
2. Look beyond the regular places
Most people think of fabrics when it comes to textures and stick to furniture while using them. For instance, pairing fluffy pillows with taut leather seats automatically clicks. When people think out of the box, it’s still limited to floor rugs and window curtains. However, you don’t need to limit yourself to fabrics when it comes to textures.
Every room has all kinds of materials and you’re free to treat every surface as a canvas. For instance, you can choose a stone table with a rough texture and add smooth coasters and coffee cups over it to add contrast.BC home builders also add rustic wooden panels over smooth walls to create an eye-catching contrast.
3. Layer them on
Visual depth is unachievable with layering. It’s one of the basic principles of design and textures allowing for plenty of layering opportunities. You can use different fabrics, materials, accessories and other texture sources to create a striking finish. Begin with a foundation and work your way up.
For instance, you can choose to select sleek flooring or wooden furniture as the base texture and add soft plush seats or rugs. You can also introduce knitted coasters, couch covers and accent chairs as additional texture layers. This creates a space with ample visual interest and depth.
4. Make sure everything ties together
Whether you are deciding on the style of your new home or considering custom home renovations in Vancouver BC, it’s important to not get overwhelmed with contrast and layers. You also need to pay attention to the patterns, colours and overall space to make sure everything ties in nicely for a cohesive look.
For example, a beige or wooden base colour can tie in the different industrial textures used in your kitchen. Lighting also plays a vital role in amplifying the textures with subtle shadows and goes a long way to create harmony in any space. If a space looks too harsh, consider adding pops of green in the form of plant life to soften the overall look.
Don’t compromise on functionality while choosing textures. Your bathroom or kitchen may look amazing with glossy tiles. However, that isn’t a safe option since it increases the odds of injuries. When done right, textures weave a story throughout your home, transforming it into a symphony of touch and sight, a unique reflection of you and your vision.
