The Power of Textiles in Interior Design: Why Texture Matters in Every Home

One of the first things I notice when I walk into a room is the textiles. The fabric on a sofa, the texture of an accent pillow, the weight and pattern of a rug underfoot—these details quietly shape how a space feels. As the founder of Haven & Hue Interior Design in Leawood, Kansas, I believe textiles are one of the most powerful ways to bring warmth, personality, and depth into a home.

My love for textiles really began during my years working with Herman Miller, where I was first introduced to the incredible world of Maharam textiles. Maharam has long been known for pushing the boundaries of design, collaborating with artists, designers, and architects to create fabrics that are both beautiful and innovative. Being surrounded by those materials every day opened my eyes to how much thought, craft, and creativity goes into the fabrics that live on our furniture and within our homes.

From that point forward, I began seeing textiles not just as functional elements, but as an essential design layer. A thoughtfully chosen fabric can transform a piece of furniture, while a textured pillow or woven throw can completely shift the feeling of a room. And few things make a bigger visual impact than a well-chosen rug. Rugs anchor a space, define layout, and introduce color, pattern, and texture in a way that instantly brings a room together.

At Haven & Hue, I often describe textiles as the layer that makes a home feel finished. Furniture may provide structure, but textiles bring softness, warmth, and personality. They invite people to sit, relax, and stay awhile. Whether it’s a beautifully woven rug, a rich boucle chair, or a collection of layered pillows on a sofa, textiles help create the lived-in comfort that makes a house feel like home.

For me, great interior design is always about layering—color, texture, light, and materials that work together to create a space that feels both beautiful and welcoming. Textiles are a big part of that story. They bring depth and dimension into a home in a way that few other elements can.

And sometimes, the right textile is exactly what turns a good room into a great one.