Is your home feeling a bit lackluster? You know, everything feels kind of bland and there isn’t much interest. That’s probably because you need to add more pattern and texture! This post is for those of you who are a bit lost and confused when it comes to finding ways to incorporate texture and pattern into your home…so keep reading to hear all about our 5 favorite ways to incorporate texture in your home.

AREA RUGS

First up, we have area rugs! We love this one especially because they allow you to add both texture and pattern to your space. There are so many colors and patterns to choose from so you shouldn’t have a hard time finding one to match your room.

Area rugs are not limited to the living room (we saw that lightbulb go off in your head)! You can use them in your bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, mudroom – basically ANY room in your house. There are so many different types of rugs from wool to sisal to vintage viscose…. We recommend choosing the style and material of your rug based off the look in the rest of your room. If your room is fairly simple, with neutral tones, consider using a rug with a pattern. In our personal designs, we love using soft, vintage style rugs. These add so much character and are the perfect way to add interest.

If your room has pops of color and already uses a lot of pattern, consider using a rug with more of a solid color. This will add texture without making your space look too busy.

THROW BLANKETS AND PILLOWS

Another fun way to add pattern and texture to your space is through the use of throw pillows and blankets! Anyone else addicted to the HomeGoods pillow and blanket section?! For pillows, we always recommend starting with a neutral base and then building from there, finishing with a pop of pattern/color on the outer layers. There are so many different options and materials to choose from these days — don’t be afraid to mix and match.

Tip for your sofa throw pillows: you don’t need to use the same exact pillows on each side of the couch. It’s good to keep the ratio and color scheme, but don’t be afraid to mix and match the patterns/textures.

Throw blankets are also a great way to add pattern and texture. We especially love using throw blankets over neutral colored sofa’s or comforters because they add color and dimension to an otherwise simple piece.

MILLWORK

If you’re looking for a more subtle way to add texture to your home, we recommend adding millwork and trim. We like using these in rooms where clients want an all white (or neutral) theme, because it adds interest without looking cray cray. In kitchens and bathrooms especially, it’s easy for countertops and cabinetry to make the room look to extremely smooth and clean-cut. Bead board and shiplap are a nice way to break up the design and add dimension.

A great example of this was in the #countrysidecustom kitchen! We used bead board on the ceiling, giving this all-white room a more finished look. We love how it blends so seamlessly into the design without being too obvious.

EXPOSED BRICK

Exposed brick is another great way to add amazing texture to your space. We were so excited to use exposed brick as the backsplash for the built-in buffet at #thetonkahouse! This detail instantly warmed up the whole room and created a much needed focal point!

The brick we used in this backsplash was actually a thin brick, so we installed it as you would with regular tile except we used a thicker base and mortar vs. grout.

PLANTS AND FLOWERS

Lastly, we have something that may not come to the forefront of your mind when you hear the words texture or pattern. Would you believe us if we said plants and flowers can be a source of texture AND pattern in your home? We believe the reason you and I love plants in our home is not just because they look and smell good. We love plants because they add dimension and LIFE!

They’re a great way to break up the smooth, straight lines with a little bit of interest, organic shape and variety. So how is pattern associated with plants? Believe it or not, a lot of plants nowadays come with natural patterns on them (usually on the leaves). We think is a fun way to add a unique touch to your home!

There are hundreds of other ways to add texture and pattern to your home but we hope you enjoyed reading about a few of our favorites! Tell us what your favorite ways to add texture are in the comments below!

Designs: Alma Homes

Photography: Melissa Oholendt Photography, Laura Rae Photography