Why Texture Matters in Interior Design
- Aug 19
- 3 min read
Interior design trends can influence what catches our attention, but texture is often what makes a space memorable. Colours, finishes and decorative styles may change, while the tactile qualities of timber, stone, plaster, linen and wool can give an interior depth and character that lasts.
Several projects featured by The Interior Design Show demonstrate these. From Abigail Ahern's richly layered Victorian townhouse to Priscilla Kandasamy's elegant Holland Park apartment and Sara Mungeam's carefully planned Ripple House, texture is used as part of the architecture, ambiance and personality of each home.
Texture Creates Depth
A considered combination of materials can make even a restrained interior feel rich. Smooth stone against textured walls, polished metal beside timber, or soft upholstery paired with harder surfaces creates contrast and gives the eye more to explore.
In Priscilla Kandasamy's Holland Park apartment, period architecture is complemented by restored coving, wall panelling, bronze detailing, chocolate-toned floor inlays and bespoke joinery. In the living spaces, dark timber accents and softer materials add further layers, creating an atmosphere Priscilla describes as "quite soothing yet quite unique." The combination creates a sophisticated interior without relying on a single decorative trend.
Texture Gives a Home Its Identity
Texture becomes especially powerful when it reflects the personality of the people living in a space. A highly polished, uniform interior can feel complete, but a combination of varied materials often gives a home a more distinctive character.
Abigail Ahern's Victorian townhouse demonstrates this through a much more maximalist approach. The home embraces layering, rich surfaces and a strong decorative identity, showing how texture can help create interiors that feel expressive rather than generic.
This is important because timeless design does not necessarily mean neutral design. A home can be bold, colourful or highly decorative and still have longevity when its character comes from a considered combination of materials, objects and finishes.
Natural Materials Bring Character
Natural materials often have an advantage because their surfaces are rarely completely uniform. Timber has grain, stone has variation and plaster can carry subtle irregularities. These details create authenticity.
Sara Mungeam's Ripple House shows how this can be incorporated directly into the architecture. Exposed joists and a tongue-and-groove ceiling add texture to the kitchen, while the loft apartment uses exposed plaster walls and reclaimed Victorian floorboards to create a more distinctive character. The floorboards were sanded and finished with limewash, allowing their material quality to remain visible.
Here, texture is not something added at the end of the design process. It is part of what defines the spaces.
Adding Texture to Minimal Interiors
Texture is particularly valuable in minimalist interiors, where too many smooth surfaces can make a room feel cold. At Ripple House, timber, limewash and natural finishes create warmth while preserving the simplicity of the architecture.
The same principle appears in Priscilla Kandasamy's design, where carefully selected materials bring depth without overwhelming the period character of the apartment.
Texture and Light Work Together
Texture also changes how a space responds to light. Plaster, timber, stone and textiles create subtle variations in shadow and reflection, giving interiors greater movement throughout the day.
In the Holland Park apartment, natural light from the bay windows is complemented by wall panelling and integrated lighting, while Ripple House uses roof lights and generous glazing to highlight its material palette. The result is an interior that changes subtly with the light rather than appearing static.
Designing Beyond the Trend Cycle
The strongest argument for prioritising texture is longevity. A fashionable colour or finish can quickly feel dated, but well-chosen materials often become more characterful with age.
These projects show that there is no single formula. Abigail Ahern uses texture expressively, Priscilla Kandasamy combines it with heritage and craftsmanship, and Sara Mungeam integrates it directly into the architecture. Their approaches are different, but each demonstrates that some lasting interiors are defined by thoughtful material choices, natural light, proportion and character.
Trends bring fresh perspective to interiors, while texture helps create spaces with depth and lasting character.
Discover more inspiring homes and designer features at The Interior Design Show:
