Make the Materials You Use Work for You
Texture adds contrast and interest to your kitchen surfaces. Think of texture in both tactile and visual terms. The texture of some materials becomes apparent when you feel it. Others have strong patterns or designs that create visual interest. A good design will typically mix three to four textures in the kitchen.
Here’s how some products and materials can add texture to the kitchen:
Material | Effect |
Laminate and solid surface | Smooth tactile texture; visual interest from decorative patterns |
Stone | Smooth surface with visual interest from granules and patina |
Wood | Smooth finishes with visual interest from wood grain: maple offers cleanest, less grainy look; cherry has a little more grain; and oak and pine show the most |
Tile | Unglazed offers rough tactile texture, while glazed will be smooth; visual interest comes from patterns and cut |
Concrete | Generally smooth to the touch but visual interest from pits and discolorations |
Stainless steel | Smooth feel with sleek visual interest |
Vinyl and linoleum | Smooth surfaces with visual interest from decorative patterns |
Architectural details | Both tactile and visual texture from materials such as pressed metal, plaster, exposed brick and concrete, and exposed beams and rafters |
