Interior update: on-trend textures

Tue 25 May 2021

Paul Bennett, Director

While a home has to look good to the eye, interior design is not just about aesthetics. Texture can be one of the most alluring facets of any room, drawing people in and inviting them to engage.

Some of the most striking interior designs the Behr & Butchoff team has seen on its property travels involves texture, with an exposed brick wall, raw stone-effect tile or plush fabric always leaving a lasting impression with us – and with potential home movers too.

Like many things in interior design, there are ‘of the moment’ textures and for 2021, the following are the most coveted. Why not try one of the following texture ideas in your home?

Bouclé: making a transition from the catwalk to the capital’s homes is bouclé fabric – a highly tactile material that is made from loops of soft yarn. Bouclé is big news when it comes to sofa upholstery but if you’re worried about falling foul of a fashion trend and being stuck with an expensive purchase, opt for bouclé sofa covers that allow you to instantly change the look yet preserve your original sofa fabric. Alternatively, add elements of bouclé with cushion covers and a covered footstool.

Reeded glass: the vertical lines and ribbed texture of reeded glass are so pleasing that all of the leading homewares and interior collections feature this design statement this season. Bring a touch of glass decadence to your home by opting for pendants lights, storage canisters, wine glasses and vases. If you want to make a bigger reeded glass statement, look out for internal doors and partitions with reeded glass panels, or transform any plain pane of glass with self-adhesive reeded glass film.

Rattan: once confined to classic conservatories, rattan is the texture du jour in smart London homes. The lattice-like material can be weaved a number of ways to create smart geometric patterns and is strong enough to be fixed to a chair frame – especially impactful when applied to turn-of-the-century and Ercol-style furniture. Rattan is also being used on cabinet doors, on headboards and on room dividers. You can even buy rattan-effect wallpaper if you really want to embrace the trend.

Textured walls: if you’ve ever been to a Kit Kemp hotel, you’ll know she installs wall treatments that are designed to be stroked. You too can add an extra dimension to plain walls, with a choice of materials to suit everyone. Textured wallpaper is an easy place to start and even Anaglypta is making a comeback. Other textures to try include brick slips, split-face tiles, embossed tiles (square metal versions are very fashionable), decorative wall paneling or intricate mouldings.

If design is at the top of your home moving wish list, get in touch with Behr & Butchoff. We’ll match you with some of London’s smartest properties for sale and to rent in St. John’s Wood and the surrounding neighbourhoods.