Hey there! Welcome to the second part of my Interior Design Basics series! This time we are going to be talking all about layers! How layers help a design, as well as how and what to make design layers with.
If you missed the introductory post or part one, you can find them here.
Interior Design Basics: Layers
Have you ever walked into a space and thought, “this is a little bland or boring.” Maybe it was an apartment display or a vacant house. But it was clear that it just didn’t feel like a warm or welcoming space. I would venture a guess, that the most likely cause was due to a lack of layers!
Adding layers is an important part of the design process. And it’s present in each step. If you’re working in a kitchen, you layer flooring, cabinets, wall color, back splash, and counters. So even before you get to the “decorating” part, you’re working with layers.
But for this post, let’s work in a space that’s foundational elements are only flooring and walls. A living room or bedroom are great visual references. Since we talked in the last post about creating a color story, hopefully you already have your room colors picked out. If not, that’s fine too. We will be mostly talking concepts that you can apply colors too later.
Why Layers are Important
Attention
Designers use layers to direct your attention toward what they want you to see. Contrast is one example of this. If you walk into a space painted all white and right in the middle of the space is a black fireplace, where will your eye immediately go? Or maybe you have a dark room with a light couch, I’m betting you’ll look there first.
But contrast doesn’t mean only two colors are being used. You can have several lighter shades and several darker ones in one space. But it’s all about how you layer them with each other and what those layers are drawing your attention too.
Communication
Layers are directing, but they’re also communicating. They help us understand or interpret the purpose of a space. I mentioned earlier the layers in a kitchen design. Those layers are often hard, cold, and sterile. They look much different than the textiles layered in a living such as a couch, curtains, pillows, and blankets. One says clean and functional, the other comfy and cozy.
However, one doesn’t exclude the other. Let’s say you have some of those harder elements in a bathroom design, but you want the space to still feel comfortable and welcoming? You can add in some of the softer layers like curtains and linens to balance the space.
Dimension
Another reason I love layers are because of the dimension or depth they add to a space. Just like no one likes a shallow person, no one likes a room without a little depth to it.
Let’s go back to our empty room with only walls and flooring. If we wanted that space to function as a living room, we could add a couch, lamp, and table. Those are the essential sitting room elements. So, you have a room with minimal layers that is functional. But what happens when we add a few more layers? Maybe curtains and a few pillows. Now the space has directed our attention and communicated it’s purpose.
But let’s take it a step further and add a little more dimension. Instead of one set of curtains, let’s add a lighter sheer curtain inside the set that’s there. And put a rug underneath the couch. Then throw a few more pillows on the couch. Next we can hang several pictures in a collage above the couch. And on the table we can layer on a tray with a few candles and a vase of flowers. DOESN’T THAT FEEL MORE LIKE A ROOM YOU WANT TO BE IN?!!! Whew, sorry. I got a little too excited. But seriously guys, I’m all about layers!
Texture
If you’re loving this Interior Design Basics crash course on layers and want a little more, here’s some bonus info. Layers are a great place to explore texture. If you looked in my samples stash right now, you would find probably seven off-white textiles. Don’t believe me? You’ll find several of them in my previous interior design boards and the rest will be making an appearance soon I’m sure.
But why so many? Because they each have their own texture that communicates something different. You can also create texture using patterns. And texture on top of texture by coordinating multiple patterns together.
Layering tools
Okay, so far we’ve talked about the importance of layers. But since this is a series on interior design basics, I wanted to include some basic decor options to get you started.
Here are some of my favorite layering elements and how/why I use them.
Rugs: Ground and add color
Curtains: Soften and add depth/dimension
Pillows: Create comfort and warmth
Plants: Add life and movement
Well what do you think? Do you love layers now as much as I do?! I hope so because their an amazing technique when it comes to Interior Design Basics.
Be sure to keep checking in for the rest of the Interior Design Basics series.
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This was exactly the help I needed for understanding why my rooms always look so bland! I can never put my finger on what’s missing, but it seems so obvious after reading all the benefits of layering that you talked about in this post. Thanks for all these great interior design tips! I cant wait to put them to practice.