How to Use Textures in Design

Home Design

• 1

  Choose textured fabric for sofas, curtains or throw pillows, such as corduroys, velvets or fabrics with an applique or raised prints. If you are decorating a big room, choose large, dark prints to fill the room and if your room is smaller, choose the opposite to keep the room feeling open and fresh.

• 2

  Texture the walls. From the classic beadboard to a thick, stucco finish, use textured walls to create a certain feel for the room and add depth to the look.

• 3

  Install a textured tile, thick carpet or wood floor. Flooring can be easily overlooked as a way to design a room with texture. Think slate tiles, thick Berber carpets or a rustic wood floor that brings out the natural wood grain.

Graphic Design

• 4

  Choose a textured background. Look for backgrounds that incorporate distressing or three-dimensional elements. You can easily create your own background by taking a photograph of a brick wall, canvas, cardboard, sidewalk or tree bark.

• 5

  Add a drop shadow to logos, text, photographs and other visual elements. Adding a light drop shadow to visual elements will make them appear three dimensional, adding depth and texture.

• 6

  Add a three-dimensional Flash object. Adobe Flash is a program that allows you to install high-quality video or three-dimensional animated objects to a website. Incorporating an interactive media adds layers to your website and gives it a more textured feel.