How to Use Texture for a Modern Classic Coastal Home

The sense of calm coastal design can give your home is more than just a style, it’s a feeling. One of the ways you can create this feeling, is by using texture. Adding texture is one of the best ways to create a modern classic coastal home. It’s about creating an ambiance that calls you to kick off your shoes, curl up with a soft throw, and relax. The right texture can transform a room from stark to inviting and cozy. Let’s explore how to weave this tactile magic into your home.

Understanding Texture in Interior Design

The concept of texture for interior designers transcends the simple touch of materials; it’s a dynamic tool that adds depth, visual interest and dimension to any space. Texture can be visual, where it adds visual weight and balances the room, or tactile, meaning it encourages physical interaction that enhances the overall experience of a space. In a coastal home, texture serves as a subtle nod to the natural beauty of the seaside environment, mirroring the roughness of shoreline, the smoothness of the sand , and the organic irregularity of shells and seagrasses.

Integrating texture doesn’t just add aesthetic interest; it impacts the atmosphere of a room, influencing how light and color play within the space. Adding texture in the interior design of your home is an easy way to create harmony. Think of how a rough, rustic wooden table can anchor a room, or how delicate sheers can soften the abundant natural light of a coastal setting. The balance of different materials can make a room feel inviting and elevated at the same time. 

Layering Different Textures for Depth and Interest

The artistry of a coastal home lies in its ability to layer textures in a way that feels both organic and intentional. This approach involves combining various materials and finishes to create a space that feels cohesive and anchored. A jute rug beneath a sleek, marble coffee table; soft, linen drapes framing large structured picture windows — these combinations of hard and soft, rough and smooth, create a dynamic interplay that adds complexity and interest to a space. Layering textures encourages the eye to move around the room, discovering new details and experiences at every turn.

The Best Natural Materials to Use for a Coastal Vibe

Embracing natural elements is a great way to achieve a coastal vibe, giving a home an organic vibe that synthetic textures cannot replicate. Materials such as natural wood, stone, jute, and linen carry properties that give a room visual texture and creates a certain ambiance. These various textures echo the unrefined beauty of coastal landscapes, from driftwood-strewn beaches to rocky cliffs. Integrating these textural elements through furniture, accessories, and finishes can bring the outdoors in, creating an effortless flow between nature and interior living spaces.

The Importance of Color and Light in Texture

While texture itself is a crucial element in design, its impact is profoundly affected by color and light. The hues chosen for a space can enhance or subdue the textural details of the materials used. Light, both natural and artificial, plays a key role in how textures are perceived. The interplay of light and shadow can accentuate textures, adding a nice dimension to the space. In a coastal home, consider how the changing light throughout the day transforms the room, highlighting different textures and creating an ever-evolving atmosphere that mirrors the dynamic seaside landscape. 

Keeping a consistent color palette helps to achieve a balance with texture. By using three or four colors and repeating them throughout a space, a room design can feel cohesive. For example, if your color scheme is white, gray, tan and blue, you can layer in different design elements throughout a space to pull the look together. You may have a natural linen sofa with blue, white and tan throw pillows, light hardwood floors, wall art with a blue pop of color, woven end tables with a light wood coffee table, rattan embellished lamp and a rug with a neutral background and blue accents. As you can see, there is a variety of different materials and uses of texture throughout the space, all unified with a consistent color palette. 

Incorporating Soft Furnishings and Fabrics

Soft furnishings and fabrics are key for adding softness in a coastal-style space, and are one of the easiest ways to introduce texture. Flowing curtains, cozy rugs, and throws are not just functional accent pieces but are texture powerhouses that can help dictate the mood of a room. The choice of fabric — whether it’s a gauzy linen, a nubby wool, or a subtle pattern — adds layers of texture that can bring warmth, depth, and personality to a space. In a coastal home, think of incorporating light, airy fabrics that move with the air, evoking the feeling of a gentle sea breeze, especially for windows. But don’t be afraid of more substantial elements like faux fur or boucle. These can be used to create movement within fabrics, especially for throw pillows or blankets. 

Tips for Mixing and Matching Textures

The key to successfully mixing and matching textures lies in balance and contrast. Start with a base texture that serves as the foundation of your design, then layer complementary textures to add depth and interest. Repeat similar textures a couple of time to create harmony in the space, and throw in contrasting textures to introduce a focal point. Keep in mind the scale and density of textures; too many heavy textures can overwhelm, while too many delicate textures may lack impact. Experiment with combinations in different ways throughout your home, like pairing a chunky knit blanket with a smooth leather sofa. Another example may be to use a light-colored linen sofa with  rattan or jute woven end tables or lamps. These textures while different, are complementary to one other, and provide a sense of balance to a space. 

How Much Texture Should You Add to a Space

The key to adding the right amount of texture to keep a comfortable and refined feel is to use it sparingly. It is helpful to layer a variety of textures throughout the space, without overpowering the room with too much of it. For example, using all rattan tables might not have as much impact as using one rattan table with one wood table in a similar color. A few places that are a great opportunity to introduce some texture are light fixtures, throw pillows, window treatments, or even somewhere smaller like decorative items like coffee table or shelf decor. 

Achieving Balance with Textural Contrast

Achieving balance with textural contrast is the final touch in crafting a space that feels both inviting and intriguing. This approach involves playing with opposites — combining rough with smooth, matte with shiny, heavy with light — to forge a sense of equilibrium in the space. In a classic coastal home, this might mean pairing a soft, fluffy rug with a sleek, polished floor or placing a rugged, natural wood piece alongside refined metals. The contrast not only draws the eye but also creates a tactile diversity, allowing for a space that is rich in experiences and perfectly balanced in its execution. 

The Right Amount of Texture is a Necessity for Coastal Style

As you can see, the right amount of texture a key component for executing coastal style in an effortless way. Moreover, just as the use of natural texture is key, a lack of texture can have a negative effect on the feel of your home, regardless of style. With so many ways to incorporate texture, the good news is that the possibilities are endless. We hope that you find inspiration here to create a room filled with textural elements. We love working with clients to ensure that all of the important aspects of incorporating texture are well executed for a refined casual coastal home that feels like a breath of fresh air! You can reach out here to work together or be sure and subscribe to get even more helpful tips delivered straight to your inbox.