Using texture to elevate the look and feel of your kitchen design

Whether your preference is a traditional, classic or modern kitchen, it’s likely that the cabinets you choose will either have a painted finish or be crafted from characterful wood (one of the trends we explored here) – both smooth and refined. Whichever you choose, it’s how you decorate and accessorise the rest of the room that determines its overall look and feel. Against the backdrop of your beautifully-made cabinetry, bringing in contrasting textures in really is a clever way to elevate a room and conjure up a space that exudes personality, offers visual interest and excites the senses.

So what’s the role of texture in kitchen design? Well, it can bring warmth or coolness. It can add depth of colour or lighten a room. And it can introduce trend-led touches to an otherwise timeless interior. The choice really is yours. If you’re looking for inspiration for ways you can elevate your kitchen with touches of texture, our design team have put together some of their favourite ideas.

The warmth of wood

Juxtaposing the clean lines of your cabinets with natural wood details is a simple yet very effective way to bring texture into a space. The unique grain patterns and tonal variations of wood add interest when used as a work surface – or on a smaller scale, in a butcher’s block. Wood flooring is warm and durable underfoot, and wooden furniture – from pale beech to deep walnut – can transform the feel of a room. As well as adding texture, using naturally beautiful wood as part of your kitchen opens up all kinds of design possibilities, including the option to embrace trends like quiet luxury.

Tactile soft furnishings

Many kitchens have seating, like high stools at an island, a fitted window seat or chairs at a dining table, so think about the colour, texture and design of the cushions. Plush velvets and leather bring warmth and an undeniably sense of luxury to a space. Embossed fabrics can be rich and inviting in a traditional space, while linen adds a different feel altogether – perfect for a rural pad or contemporary home. Whichever you choose, the contrasting hand-feel, colour or weave will add another layer to your kitchen design.

Glass and hardware

It’s been popular for a while to maximise the use of glass in kitchens, and whether you have glass-fronted cabinets, internal doors, splashbacks, back panels or feature lighting, the trend at the moment is for reeded (or fluted) glass. The ribbed-effect of this striking glazing option diffuses light in such an interesting way, as well as giving your space a high-end look and feel, reminiscent of the art deco era. The hardware you add to your bespoke kitchen is also the perfect opportunity to play with texture. Painted and wood cabinets can be finished with hammered brass, smooth glass or polished chrome handles to put your own stamp on the design.

Light-reflective surfaces

We’ve already pointed you in the direction of warm wood for worktops, but marble, granite and quartz are also worth considering when you’re looking to add another texture. While smooth in finish, a glossy or polished surface can introduce the most amazing light-reflecting effect to your room – the perfect contrast to matt or satin painted cabinets. Likewise, textured tiles are a great way to add another dimension to your room. Handmade ceramics can have an irregular, slightly undulating finish, while on-trend embossed tiles, matt finishes or traditional terracotta are alternative options, all with their own character.

Texture on walls

Your walls can be a wonderful place to introduce contrasting textures too – from exposed brick, natural stone and bare plaster to traditional panelling, rustic tongue-and-groove or on-trend slatted walls. And wallpapers can work their magic, too. Think pale linen-look papers to open up a small space or dark embossed patterned papers to give your kitchen a dramatic feel. Whatever interior design style you’re channelling in your kitchen, you can make texture work for you.