Adding Organic Elements to the Home

by Corcoran McEnearney

What’s a home without a bit of texture? Incorporating a variety of materials into your space is critical in order to achieve that collected look that we all crave. Texture can be used within a home in a number of ways: It can add artful flair, make a space appear more welcoming and cozy, and simply allow a room to appear more curated. Ready to get started adding more texture to your own space? We’re here to help you do just that with a few simple tips!

Step 1: Layer, layer, layer

Don’t be afraid to mix and match textures. For example, when it comes to rugs, consider layering a woven Turkish rug from Etsy over a classic jute from Pottery Barn. On your bed, drape a woven throw blanket from Serena and Lily over your linen duvet cover. Pair a cotton lampshade with a terracotta base. The list goes on! Best of all, implementing these tactics will ensure that your space looks unique and well-designed, not as though you stopped into a furniture showroom, picked up everything in sight, and called it a day.

Step 2: Find the right accents

Accent pieces are the perfect time to have some fun with texture. Mediterranean style plant pots and vases are majorly in style right now, and their plaster material will shine in any room. You can easily grab one at Pottery Barn or CB2. Then simply fill it with fresh branches from your yard or stems of eucalyptus for a simple yet sophisticated arrangement. On your bookshelf or coffee table, add a decorative clay bowl or an onyx tray to stash trinkets and bring in new materials. Stores including West Elm, Crate and Barrel, and Anthropologie are great places to shop for these kinds of pieces, or better yet, hit the antique store and find a diamond in the rough there.

Step 3: Think about your walls

When it comes to adding texture to your home, you’ll of course want to give consideration to your walls. Wallpaper, plaster, and molding are an excellent way to add some textural zing. Maybe your style leans traditional—go ahead and install some grasscloth wallpaper in the color of your choosing. If you’re feeling a bit artistic, experiment with Venetian plaster. Or if you crave the look of a classic Parisian apartment, incorporate some picture-frame molding into your space to bring that dreamy French look stateside.

Don’t forget about wall art, either. Hang a sculptural piece or an oversized abstract canvas that will capture visitors’ attention immediately.

Keeping these three tactics in mind will allow you to transform your space with texture in no time. The good thing is that when it comes to texture, there’s really no such thing as too much of it!

Sarah Lyon is a New York City-based freelance writer, originally from Bethesda, MD. She contributes to a number of national design and lifestyle publications like Architectural Digest, Apartment Therapy, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, and more. Sarah also works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots. Find more shelfies on her Instagram page, @sarahlyon9