Texture is often what makes a room worth a second look. It gives a simple palette depth, brings contrast to clean-lined spaces and makes everyday surfaces far more interesting. But too often, we play it safe with materials, choosing the same finishes in the same familiar places.
When designing a space, I’m always looking for ways to take those choices further. Here are five creative ways to bring texture into your home, with a few unexpected uses for stone, timber and fabric that might have you reconsidering the ordinary.
Image Source: Goldwyn House curated by David Alhadeff of The Future Perfect.
1. BANISH BORING WINDOWS
Instead of defaulting to white curtains or blinds, consider a striking pattern, beautifully textured weave or unexpected colour. Window dressings can become a feature in their own right, particularly where the surrounding finishes are simple.
The trick is choosing a muted, desaturated colour: think dusty blue, earthy burgundy or softened olive. These shades have enough colour to feel expressive, with a subtlety that helps them feel timeless. For a bolder pattern, a restrained palette keeps it easy to live with.
Hold samples at the window in daylight and under evening lighting, gathering curtain fabrics into folds to see how they’ll hang. Discuss lining with your curtain maker, too: an open weave may need a separate blockout layer in a bedroom, while lining can affect the colour and drape.
Image Source: By The Bay Residence designed and styled by Kerrie-Ann Jones.
2. MAKE THE FLOOR YOUR OWN
Combining different materials can turn a floor into one of the most distinctive features of a home. Think contrasting stone arranged in an irregular pattern, or a timber border framing a parquetry floor. The arrangement becomes just as important as the materials themselves.
Inspired by a trip to Milan, I sourced offcuts of travertine onyx, cappuccino onyx, Rosso Lavanto, black marble and Carrara marble to create a custom Palladian floor in my ensuite. Each piece brought its own markings and colour variations, creating a design that couldn’t be replicated with a single tile.
Lay out a generous sample area to assess the balance of large and small pieces, grout colour and overall contrast. Involve your installer early to work through material thicknesses, transitions and maintenance before anything is laid.
Image Source: Noosa Home designed by CLO Studios and styled by Kerrie-Ann Jones.
3. SKIRT THE ORDINARY
A gathered fabric skirt beneath a kitchen island, vanity or console introduces softness where you’d usually find solid cupboard doors. Against stone or timber, the loose folds create a contrast that changes how the cabinetry feels.
I’d choose linen or a textured weave that gathers neatly and hangs well, avoiding anything too stiff or bulky. Beneath a freestanding console, a skirt can also conceal storage and give renters a way to introduce texture without altering permanent fittings.
Choose washable fabric and a fixing that allows the skirt to be easily removed for cleaning. Allow for shrinkage and clearance above the floor, and discuss placement near sinks or appliances with your designer or cabinetmaker to keep it clear of splashes, heat and ventilation openings.
Image Source: Noosa Home designed by CLO Studios and styled by Kerrie-Ann Jones.
4. CLASSIC FURNITURE, REIMAGINED
Vintage furniture doesn’t need to be restored to its original appearance. Contemporary upholstery can give a traditional silhouette a different personality, whether that’s an antique armchair covered in a chunky weave or a timber-framed sofa updated with oversized checkerboard.
Consider the relationship between the frame and the fabric. An aged timber surface beside velvet creates a different effect from carved detailing paired with a crisp stripe. If the frame is particularly ornate, a fabric with a pronounced texture rather than a busy pattern allows both details to be appreciated.
Before reupholstering your piece, ask an upholsterer to assess its frame, springs and cushioning, and confirm the fabric's suitability for its shape and everyday use. If you're buying a piece with reupholstery in mind, you can also read my guide to buying vintage furniture here.
Image Source: Little Cove Residence designed by Georgina Jeffries.
5. SURPRISE INSIDE
A cabinet can be beautifully restrained on the outside and a little more adventurous within. Grasscloth behind shelves, cork lining a cupboard or veined stone inside painted cabinetry introduces a detail you only discover when the doors open.
This works particularly well with furniture you already own. Rather than refinishing the whole piece, concentrate on the back panel or a recessed section. Choose a surface that contrasts with what you display: woven grasscloth behind smooth ceramics, for example, or cork beside glassware.
Ask your cabinetmaker or specialist installer how the lining will be fixed and finished around shelf supports. Keep absorbent finishes away from spill-prone surfaces, and have the weight and support requirements assessed if you’re using stone.
START WITH ONE DETAIL
I’d start with the part of your home that feels a little overlooked. It might be a doorway, a plain window or a piece of furniture waiting for a new top. Choose one material you’re drawn to, consider what sits beside it, and give that detail enough space to be appreciated. 
Image Source: By The Bay Residence designed and styled by Kerrie-Ann Jones.
NEED HELP CHOOSING MATERIALS FOR YOUR HOME?
Choosing individual finishes is often easier than working out how they’ll sit together. If you’re weighing up stone, flooring, fabrics or a complete renovation, I can help you make those decisions.
My personalised interior styling and design consultations give you 55 minutes to ask questions and work through ideas without committing to the ongoing scope or cost of full-service interior design. Sessions are available in person in Sydney or online via Zoom, wherever you live.
For a larger project, I also offer end-to-end interior design and styling services, helping you develop the material palette and carry it through to the finished home.
FAQ: ADDING TEXTURE TO YOUR HOME
What is texture in interior design?
Texture includes how a surface feels and how it looks. Rough stone and woven fabric offer tactile variation, while marble veining and timber grain can add interest even when their surfaces are smooth.
How can I add texture to a rental home?
Start with pieces you can take with you: curtains where suitable fixings exist, a fabric skirt beneath your own console or a vintage upholstered chair. Seek permission before changing fixed fittings.
How do I mix materials without the room feeling busy?
Choose a common thread, such as a repeated colour or similar undertone, and allow one material to lead. Compare samples together using my guide to creating a cohesive material palette, which explains how to assess your choices as a whole.
What fabric should I use to reupholster vintage furniture?
Choose an upholstery-grade fabric suited to the piece’s shape and how often you’ll use it. Ask your upholsterer about durability, cleaning and pattern placement, particularly for curved furniture. My guide to buying vintage furniture also covers what to look for before purchasing.
How do I choose curtains that complement my room?
Consider your existing colours and materials, then decide whether the curtains should introduce pattern, texture or a contrasting colour. Muted shades can add personality without feeling too bold. View samples at the window and discuss privacy, light control and lining with your curtain maker.
How can I update the inside of a cabinet?
Line the back panel of an existing cabinet with textured wallpaper, grasscloth or cork to contrast with its exterior and the objects you display. Check that the finish suits the location, and ask your installer about preparation, fixing and cleaning. If you’d like a stone interior, plan this as part of bespoke joinery so its weight, support and installation can be accommodated from the outset.
