There’s a noticeable shift happening across interiors. While colour still matters, many spaces feel increasingly defined by what they feel like rather than what they look like. Walls with a gentle plaster sheen, a linen sofa with a slightly nubby surface, even the grain of parquet or the softened matte finish of LVT, they all speak to something deeper than visual decoration. They tap into the way the brain responds to sensory cues, especially touch, which is where neuroaesthetics steps in.
Neuroaesthetic research suggests people often form emotional responses to texture before consciously registering colour. Roughness, softness, warmth, and movement all shape how a room is experienced on a neurological level. A living space with layered textures offers micro-sensations that quietly influence mood: a sense of grounding, calm, or comfort that paint alone never manages.
Why Texture Has Gained So Much Weight
Part of this shift comes from how interiors are used now. Homes act as offices, sanctuaries, social spaces, and the main backdrop to daily life. Visual stimulation alone can feel overwhelming; textural surfaces add depth without noise. A plastered feature wall, for instance, gives the eye something gentle to settle on while offering that subtle, uneven finish that feels handcrafted rather than manufactured.
There’s also a growing appetite for natural imperfection. Wood parquet flooring with its irregularities, or linen cushions that crease in the sun, bring a lived-in honesty that smooth, flat surfaces lack. Even durable LVT with a textured grain plays a part here, giving the appearance and feel of wood underfoot but with the practicality needed for busy kitchens.
Boucle has surged for similar reasons. It’s tactile without being precious, evoking warmth with its looped yarns and soft curves. A bouclé accent chair instantly softens the energy of a room, especially when paired with something cool and sleek like a metal floor lamp or polished stone side table. The interplay between textures creates interest that colour-blocking alone can’t achieve.
The Brain’s Quiet Response to Tactile Layers
Texture produces emotional cues that subtly shape behaviour. Soft materials such as linen, wool or bouclé tend to encourage relaxation, whereas pronounced grains, ridges or carved details stimulate the brain in a way that keeps a space lively. This is why a combination of smooth plaster, structured upholstery and textured flooring often feels balanced without much effort.
Think of a room where morning light hits a plaster wall, catching its irregularities; the surface almost glows, changing tone throughout the day despite being a single colour. Underfoot, parquet flooring introduces a rhythmic pattern, while a wool rug softens the acoustics. There’s nothing overtly dramatic happening, yet the atmosphere feels layered and thoughtful.
How to Bring More Texture Into a Home
The easiest route is to mix materials with different tactile qualities. Start with a foundation; flooring often sets the tone. Parquet adds instant warmth and pattern, whereas luxury vinyl tiles in a matte, textured finish gives durability without losing natural character. Once the base is in place, fabrics can introduce contrast. A linen sofa pairs well with a bouclé armchair, especially if the rest of the palette is kept muted.
Walls shouldn’t be overlooked. Plaster, limewash or even a subtly textured paint add dimension without committing to bold colour. For those hesitant to change an entire wall finish, smaller additions help: ribbed glass, woven baskets, ceramic lamps with a rough glaze, or a jute runner across smooth boards.
Texture also works beautifully in kitchens and bathrooms, where colour often stays restrained. Fluted cabinetry, stone countertops with a honed finish, or patterned LVT tiles that mimic natural materials can all transform the feel of a space.
Is Prioritising Texture Actually Worth It?
In many homes, yes. Texture offers staying power that trend-led colour rarely does. Rooms built on tactile layers tend to age gracefully because the appeal isn’t tied to a specific shade but to a sensory experience. They also adapt easily; a linen throw swapped for wool in winter, a sisal rug replaced with cotton in summer, or a change from smooth ceramics to hammered metal accessories.
Colour will never disappear from design conversations, but there’s something compelling about spaces that lean into feel over spectacle. Texture lets a room whisper rather than shout, creating an atmosphere that settles into daily life instead of competing with it. For anyone wanting an interior that stays interesting without constant reinvention, this tactile approach has real strength.
