How to Use Texture to Liven Up Your Apartment

By Christine Ascher on March 31, 2017

This article is brought to you by CORT Furniture Rental. We take the hassle out of furnishing your new place so you can do more important things like read this article. Learn more about why furniture rental is the best way to get a great looking apartment.

When you first move into a new apartment, it often feels cold and empty. Especially if you’re far from home, this can make it particularly difficult to adjust to your new surroundings. An easy way to remedy this unwelcome feeling is to decorate with tactics beyond just adding colors and patterns.

Adding texture with your décor is a simple and effective way to make your apartment feel homier and become a more interesting space. If you tend to be drawn to neutral colors, textures are a great option for you as they add warmth to your apartment without you needing to go overboard with bright colors or loud designs.

Try mixing together some of the following materials to create a warm, inviting space without having to spend too much time and money on decorating.

Image via http://www.pexels.com

Fur

Go into any home décor store and you’ll probably find at least a small selection of fur accessories. Fur is a popular and easy way to add warmth and texture to your space as it goes with almost anything and can be incorporated in a variety of ways. Try a couple of throw pillows on your couch or a fur blanket that you can cuddle up with. You can also use a small fur rug to warm up your space. Be careful not to overdo it, as a little bit of fur can go a long way; one or two key pieces should be enough.

Wood grain                                                                                                                                      

If you’re adding furniture to your space, take the opportunity to add texture with wood grain surfaces. Wood grain, especially lighter varieties, can make your room feel a lot warmer. Because it’s versatile, you can combine wood grain furniture with different types of surfaces to create a varied, but still cohesive, look. Again, make sure you don’t overdo it — having too much wood grain can make your space feel old-fashioned and dark. Instead, balance it with other textures and materials.

Books

Rather than leaving your books scattered around your apartment, organize them on display either on a bookshelf or on a side table that has some empty space. In addition to becoming a decorative element for your room, the variation in their binding will also add color and texture. You could also try displaying just one or two of your favorite books on a shelf as a way to incorporate your personality into your room and to give your old books a new purpose.

Throw blankets

Get creative with your throw blankets to create a cozy, interesting living space. Rather than a basic cotton throw, explore other options such as faux fur, shaggy wool, or a knitted pattern. Incorporating different fabrics is another way to add new elements to your room without allowing them to take over the space.

Rugs

Like throw blankets, rugs are another easy way to make your apartment feel more inviting. Whether it’s fur or a big cable-knit one that catches your eye, adding a rug to your room — particularly if your apartment is dominated by cold tile floors — will make it feel much homier. Keeping one next to your bed might even make it easier for you to crawl out of bed on early mornings.

Plants

Incorporating plants into your room décor is an easy way to brighten up your space. There are plenty of options that you can choose from — bamboo plants are particularly popular among college students as they’re relatively easy to care for, or you can choose your favorite type of flower — and they’re great options for centerpieces or livening up an empty corner of your room.

By bringing in different types of plants, for instance succulents or cacti, you can make your living space look more varied and interesting without having to break the bank. If you’re worried about the care that having plants involves, you can always stick to fake plants.

Tufting

If you’re not a big fan of patterned comforters but don’t want your bedroom to look boring, go for a solid-colored tufted comforter. These are fairly popular — you can probably find one at your local Target — and they’re neither too busy nor too boring. You can find a lot of tufted silk materials, which is great if you want to add some shine to your room as well.

Lace, velvet, and silk

You might think that lace is a material appropriate only for old ladies, but it can actually be a great way to soften up your apartment when used sparingly. A little bit of lace on a pillow or throw blanket will allow you to incorporate some of the texture without it taking over your apartment. Similarly, if you incorporate a little bit of velvet or silk, you can make certain areas of your room pop.

Metals

Incorporating a bit of metal into your apartment — maybe as a set of picture frames or a cool decorative piece — can help you give your apartment a more sleek, modern feel. You can also combine shiny metals with softer fabrics like lace as a contrast; this will help you maintain a space that has textural interest, but remains balanced.

Looking for an easy way to furnish your off-campus apartment? Renting furniture from CORT saves you time and money. See how easy it is to get great looking furniture without breaking the bank.

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