Decorating
10 Touchy-Feely Textiles You'll Want to Show Off
Richly tactile textiles, inventively displayed, are a quick-fix way to introduce colour, pattern and, of course, texture to a room
Touchy-feely textiles, fun fabrics and woven rugs can heighten your experience of a room. Plus, they are a fast and easy way to add a finishing touch of luxury, drama or fun. Be it a petite accessory or a large-scale statement, a snuggly blanket for wrapping up in or a contemporary take on macramé to adorn a wall, there’s a beautifully textured and patterned textile perfect for every space.
2. Layered vintage textiles
Instantaneously update your lounge furniture with an opulent array of decadent and colourful vintage throws and rugs. The detailed stitching and lively patterns on these throws imbues a sense of the exotic as well as a vitality – and no matter whether it is a permanent decor change or for a special event, make a feature of one piece or create a flamboyant arrangement with lavish layers.
Instantaneously update your lounge furniture with an opulent array of decadent and colourful vintage throws and rugs. The detailed stitching and lively patterns on these throws imbues a sense of the exotic as well as a vitality – and no matter whether it is a permanent decor change or for a special event, make a feature of one piece or create a flamboyant arrangement with lavish layers.
3. Woven floor rugs
Woven or knotted floor rugs are an uncomplicated and understated way to break up and soften expansive hard floors. This circular mat, often crafted from soft seagrass or hemp, produces a textural feast for the eyes and the feet. Similar rugs in sisal can be placed in rooms to introduce texture without being visually dominant. Its style also makes it an ideal addition to a coastal home.
Read about the Kilim rug
Woven or knotted floor rugs are an uncomplicated and understated way to break up and soften expansive hard floors. This circular mat, often crafted from soft seagrass or hemp, produces a textural feast for the eyes and the feet. Similar rugs in sisal can be placed in rooms to introduce texture without being visually dominant. Its style also makes it an ideal addition to a coastal home.
Read about the Kilim rug
4. Macramé hangers
It would be remiss to discuss tactile textiles without a nod to macramé. Harking back to the 13th century, macramé is most often associated with the hazy, hippy 1970s. But forget lacy, jute neutrals and re-imagine hanging your indoor and outdoor plants in macramé planters that show off brightly coloured cords. Go the extra mile and paint pots to match your hangers, which will really highlight your greenery.
Macramé makes a comeback
It would be remiss to discuss tactile textiles without a nod to macramé. Harking back to the 13th century, macramé is most often associated with the hazy, hippy 1970s. But forget lacy, jute neutrals and re-imagine hanging your indoor and outdoor plants in macramé planters that show off brightly coloured cords. Go the extra mile and paint pots to match your hangers, which will really highlight your greenery.
Macramé makes a comeback
5. Rope room dividers
This sophisticated retro-chic sunken lounge is made complete with rope room dividers. The long, hanging strands provide a division of space and a sense of enclosure without restricting light. This look could help define spaces in large homes or add a sense of privacy in small spaces without the risk of feeling hemmed in. Don’t stop with the indoors, however, marine rope could be used to envelope and separate outdoor living areas as well.
This sophisticated retro-chic sunken lounge is made complete with rope room dividers. The long, hanging strands provide a division of space and a sense of enclosure without restricting light. This look could help define spaces in large homes or add a sense of privacy in small spaces without the risk of feeling hemmed in. Don’t stop with the indoors, however, marine rope could be used to envelope and separate outdoor living areas as well.
6. Embroidered blankets
Richly-embroidered blankets are both practical and pretty. They can create a homey sense of comfort and provide warmth in cool climates while adding a delectably touchable texture. A vividly patterned embroidery can be an excellent way to unify a space’s colour scheme or be a source of inspiration for choosing tones to feature in a room. Embroidered pillowcases are a great option for warmer climates.
Richly-embroidered blankets are both practical and pretty. They can create a homey sense of comfort and provide warmth in cool climates while adding a delectably touchable texture. A vividly patterned embroidery can be an excellent way to unify a space’s colour scheme or be a source of inspiration for choosing tones to feature in a room. Embroidered pillowcases are a great option for warmer climates.
7. Quilts in the kitchen
Quilts needn’t be just for covering up at bedtime. A quilted table runner, a quintessentially country look, can dress up your dining table without being stuffy and formal. This can be decidedly modernised by choosing a contemporary, abstract pattern. A quilted table runner also does double duty by looking good while providing precious tabletop protection as it is a place to put hot dishes on the table.
Quilts needn’t be just for covering up at bedtime. A quilted table runner, a quintessentially country look, can dress up your dining table without being stuffy and formal. This can be decidedly modernised by choosing a contemporary, abstract pattern. A quilted table runner also does double duty by looking good while providing precious tabletop protection as it is a place to put hot dishes on the table.
8. Crochet cushions and bedspreads
As a centuries-old technique, crocheted items can be a cute ’n’ kitschy way to incorporate a bit of fun and whimsy into a room. The cheerful cushions pictured here are a charming finish to an informal snug or sitting area, as is the blanket on the end of a bed.
While often seen in playful colours, crocheted textiles are just as successful in modern monotones for a more contemporary home. Try solid, jewel-toned cushions for a balance of both the fanciful and chic.
Cosy up your home with DIY knits and crochet
As a centuries-old technique, crocheted items can be a cute ’n’ kitschy way to incorporate a bit of fun and whimsy into a room. The cheerful cushions pictured here are a charming finish to an informal snug or sitting area, as is the blanket on the end of a bed.
While often seen in playful colours, crocheted textiles are just as successful in modern monotones for a more contemporary home. Try solid, jewel-toned cushions for a balance of both the fanciful and chic.
Cosy up your home with DIY knits and crochet
9. Chunky knits
The chubbier or chunkier the better when it comes to wools and knits. For laid-back elegance, stick to a limited palette of neutral tones, but mix it up with a variety of applied stitches and yarns. Throws and blankets in big knits are indulgently inviting and would be just as welcome in the living room as in the bedroom, or even on an outdoor lounge. Look for fibre blends such as silk and wool for a truly lavish snuggle.
The chubbier or chunkier the better when it comes to wools and knits. For laid-back elegance, stick to a limited palette of neutral tones, but mix it up with a variety of applied stitches and yarns. Throws and blankets in big knits are indulgently inviting and would be just as welcome in the living room as in the bedroom, or even on an outdoor lounge. Look for fibre blends such as silk and wool for a truly lavish snuggle.
10. Woven hanging seats
Why let the ferns have all the fun? Let the summer breeze sway you in these hanging baskets for humans. These sculptural, suspended seats in festive shades are a delightfully cheery way to practically include textured fibres in your outdoor living scheme. Add some cushions for an even cosier hangout.
Why let the ferns have all the fun? Let the summer breeze sway you in these hanging baskets for humans. These sculptural, suspended seats in festive shades are a delightfully cheery way to practically include textured fibres in your outdoor living scheme. Add some cushions for an even cosier hangout.
TELL US
What textiles do you think are tops? Share your thoughts and pictures in the Comments section.
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Browse more stories on decorating ideas
What textiles do you think are tops? Share your thoughts and pictures in the Comments section.
MORE
Browse more stories on decorating ideas
In this pared-back modern bedroom, a beige knotted wall-hanging creates a bedhead of sorts without the hefty price associated with a piece of furniture. Easily customised to your desired palette and size, wall-hangings are a simple way to cover stark walls. Stick to neutrals with a small flourish of colour for a calming, romantic bedroom feel. For the craft-inclined, making your own wall hangings also constitutes a great DIY project.