Feel good factor The richness of our world is revealed to us through our five senses, of which the dominant one is sight. A single element brings life to any space, colourful or neutral, large or small, functional or decorative. Texture is one of the most powerful, evocative and versatile tools for interior design. This factor is often overlooked. Harness it and you have the key to stimulating and satisfying surroundings.

Go against the flow, put colour to one side for a moment and awaken your sense of touch. Texture is doubly satisfying because it feeds two senses — sight and touch — simultaneously.

Surface success

The most exciting textural effects are achieved by contrast. Think of a flat painted floor, firm and cool underfoot. Throw down a plain coloured rug with a luxurious, embossed pattern and you immediately create sensuality and interest. Lay the dense matt finish of suede fabric next to pearly satin and enjoy the interplay of sheen and weave. Watch low natural light on a floor or wall pick out a subdued pattern of matt and gloss finish. Simple tricks can go a long way to pep up a dull interior, and a few well-considered items will make all the difference.

You can take this concept a stage further, displaying objects of contrasting nature as well as texture — a rough stone vase with delicate lilies or inanimate pebbles heaped around a big fat white candle placed on a platter. Thoughtful touches such as these bring definition and character to your home.

Add the soft touch

By prioritising tactile rather than visual elements you will throw up possibilities far beyond the introduction of a few interesting fabrics and rugs. One could transform by areas, such as walls, doors and floors, in ways that make you itch to touch them. Take texture this far and you will probably notice some more subtle effects that you might have not considered. Tiles with a matt finish will bring a chalky, almost absorbent quality to walls, as will velvets and suede fabrics. Grainy semi-opaque glass can add to a cocoon-like feel, while deep-pile rugs, fun fur and knobbly knits will take the sharp edges off furniture and flooring. Compare this atmosphere of comfort and safety to the harsh experience of entering a room where sound echoes and vibrates discordantly off hard surfaces.

Colour change

Although colour captures the eye, finish is what grabs your attention. It is the detail of a fabric, tile or paint that gives individuality and life.

Imagine three cushions dyed exactly the same shade of rich chocolate brown. One is made of plain, regularly woven cotton, one is a raw silk with a subtle shine and the third is plush corduroy. The cotton one would seem drab and utilitarian and completely unappealing. The other two would have cushion charisma! The textural play could totally change the appearance of an item regardless of colour, lending subtlety to most tones and glamour to the dullest. Colours often work more successfully as backdrops because they reflect more light and therefore show up contours more strongly.

The lightest touch

The textural effects you can create are almost unlimited, but to enjoy them fully you will need to maximise that initial visual impact so the desire to touch is irresistible. To appreciate detail properly you need to use lighting in a way that brings out its beauty and complexities. You will have to stay away from bright, clear lighting.

Three-dimensional planes demand subtle light and shadow, which emphasise contours, rather than bold illumination, which only flatten. Light can be directed to rebound off so many different surfaces and is a vital means of showing off the visual aspects of a multitude of textures. The potential for variety and interest, which our sense of touch represents, is almost infinite. Consider it as a means of producing a truly comfortable, relaxing and inspiring environment.

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