Amazing Psychological Effects of Textures in Pet-Friendly Interiors
Meet the Author and Your Future Designer: Julio Arco is a passionate architect with years of experience in architecture, interior design, urban design, and housing. He studied at prestigious universities across North America and Europe.
If you’re looking to learn About Textures in Interior Design, hire me or my colleagues to help you. Our collaboration will be a seamless online process, from idea boards to detailed layouts, renderings, and a curated shopping list. Click here to learn more and work with me with 25% off! Learn more About Me, or visit my Portfolio.
Like what you see? Check out my Portfolio & work with me or any Havenly designer, & spruce up your home with Havenly, the platform that has revolutionized online interior design since 2013! Offering online interior design services & home decor from the best online interior designers at an affordable price! Take 25% off your first design TODAY!
Why are Textures Important in Evidence-Based Design for Pet-Friendly Interiors?
When it comes to interior design, textures are often overlooked by designers in favor of colors and patterns. However, textures play an important role in creating a cohesive and inviting space in the built environment. They can add visual interest and depth to a space, as well as provide a tactile experience. Therefore, designers, architects, and design professionals should base their design decisions on these guidelines to achieve the best possible outcome in their design process.
According to Hughes (2008), a perceptual psychologist, differences in textures on walls or floors can create a haptic or visual landmark and define how it is felt by the way it feels, looks, and reflects light. Additionally, the feel of fabric can influence not only how we think about what we’re touching, but also emotions are stirred up because of the associations we have with different fabrics.
For example, a smooth, soft fabric may evoke feelings of comfort and relaxation, while a rougher fabric may evoke feelings of excitement or energy. Similarly, in pets, soft-textured surfaces can have a calming or relaxing effect, encouraging your pet to be well-behaved and obedient.
Pet-friendly homes often incorporate textured elements into their design to create a space that is both comfortable and stylish, while providing pets comfort and a health-promoting environment. Textures can help camouflage pet hair and dirt, as well as provide a surface that is comfortable for your pet to walk on.
Additionally, using textures in interior designs will:
Add visual interest and depth to a space
Textures can add visual interest and depth to a space by adding variation and contrast to different built environments. They can help to break up a monochromatic color scheme or add interest to a room with minimal furnishings.
Provide a tactile experience
Evidence-based design for interiors also tells us that textures can provide a tactile experience that can make a space feel more inviting. Smooth textures can be soothing, while rough textures can add a sense of warmth.
This is especially important in spaces where you want to encourage people to touch or interact with the space. For example, a smooth countertop might be more functional, but a textured one will invite people to linger and enjoy the space.
Create a cohesive space
Textures can help to create a cohesive space by tying together different elements. For example, using a rough texture on the floors and a smooth texture on the walls can help to create a cohesive look, evoking positive outcomes in interior design.
Create a sense of balance
Textures can help to create a sense of balance in interior design. Designers should use different textures in the same space can help to create a sense of visual stability. If a room has too much of one texture, it can feel heavy or overwhelming. By adding a smooth texture, you can create a sense of harmony and visual interest.
Hide imperfections
If you have a wall with a crack in it, you can cover it up with textured wallpaper. This will not only hide the imperfection but also add visual interest to the space.
What are the Effects of Textures on Humans?
In interior design, textures and the haptic quality of surfaces is an important consideration. Haptic qualities are those that can be perceived through touch, and they include texture, temperature, and weight. Rich haptic surfaces are those that have a high degree of these tactile qualities.
For example, a surface might be very smooth or very rough, very cold or very warm, very light or very heavy, creating different psychological responses in humans. When we touch rich haptic surfaces, we connect with them on a deeper level than when we simply look at them. This connection can have a profound effect on our mood and our overall well-being.
Natural Textures
Different textures create different perceptions on people. It is always important to remember that humans, as a species, have spent around 99% of our history surrounded by nature, and we evolved as creatures that were surrounded by it. Therefore, it is important to include natural elements such as wood, stone, tile, and those that are natural or analogous.
According to Browning et. al. (2014), designing with nature provides, “Lowered blood pressure and heart rate, improved mental attentiveness, positive attitude and overall happiness, reduced stress hormones, improvement in mental health and tranquillity, enhanced comfort, well-being and productivity, improved perception of special pleasure.”
Synthetic Textures
Nevertheless, there is some research that has been done on synthetic textures, such as carpets and fabric. For example, according to research by Redfern (1995), thick, hard floors can be perceived as uncomfortable and fatigue-producing; therefore, a soft carpet is perceived as more comfortable and soothing. Textiles follow the same factors mentioned previously.
Warm and soft textiles allow people to physically warm themselves, thus creating a sense of preparation for warm social interactions (Bargh & Shalev, 2012).
What are the Effects of Textures on Dogs?
As any dog owner knows, dogs can be finicky about the surfaces they walk on. Certain types of flooring simply don’t appeal to them, causing them discomfort and mental distress, and they’ll do their best to avoid it.
This is basically because like humans, dogs also evolved in a natural environment. So from an evolutionary standpoint, dogs are more comfortable with natural, rough surfaces rather than polished, slippery ones.
Dogs got rough pads that protect against sticks and stones, and they’ve got claws for digging and picking up speed. Some dogs even have pronounced webbing that can help with muddy areas or swimming.
In fact, dog paws are great for nearly every natural surface – from snow to rocky hillsides, and even water. Basically, the more distance there is between your dog and a natural surface, the less likely your dog is to want to go near it.
This can be a challenge for pet owners who are trying to create a stylish and inviting interior space. Polished marble floors, smooth hardwood floors, and slippery sealed concrete are all problem floorings for dogs.
The main reason is that these materials can be very slippery, which can make it difficult for your dog to get a good grip on the floor. This can cause them to feel anxious and distressed, which is the last thing that you want.
Another drawback to these surfaces is that they’re very reflective and shiny. Seeing their own reflection can scare your furry friend, probably because it looks to them as if they’re about to step into a body of water.
And finally, there’s the smell. The cleaning supplies for these surfaces often include lemon, which can be overwhelming for a dog’s sensitive nose.
What are the best Texture options for pet-friendly interiors?
Hardwood floors with a rough, natural finish
Dogs love the natural feel of the wood under their paws, and hardwood floors add a warm and inviting look to any home. Additionally, your dogs will love it because it’s easy to get a good grip on, and they won’t have to worry about slipping.
Stone or tile floors with a rough, natural finish
Another great option for pet-friendly interiors is stone or tile floors. These materials are also easy to grip, and they have a cool temperature that your dogs will appreciate. Plus, they’re easy to clean and don’t require the use of harsh chemicals.
Carpeting with a short, tight pile
If you’re set on having carpet in your pet-friendly home, then you’ll want to choose a short, tight pile. This type of carpet is less likely to mat down and hold pet hair, and it’s also easier to clean. Additionally, it’s more comfortable for your dog to walk on.
Sisal or jute rugs with a short, tight weave
If you’re looking for a pet-friendly rug, then you’ll want to choose one made from sisal or jute. These materials are natural, easy to clean and have a short, tight weave that’s easy on your dog’s paws.
Faux fur rugs
Another great option for pet-friendly interiors is a faux fur rug. These rugs are soft and comfortable, and they’re also easy to clean. Plus, they add a touch of luxury to any space.
As you can see, there are a variety of pet-friendly textures that you can use in your home. By choosing the right textures, you can create a space that’s both stylish and inviting for your furry friend while providing the perfect combination of traction, comfort, and style. They’re also easy to clean and maintain, which is important for pet-friendly homes.
What is the Best way to use Textures in Pet-Friendly Interior Designs?
Incorporate texture into your upholstery
Upholstery is a great way to add texture to a space. You can use different fabrics to create a variety of textures. For example, using a velvet fabric will create a smooth texture, while using a linen fabric will create a more rough texture. Additionally, your pet will love snuggling up on a textured sofa!
Use texture in your window treatments
Window treatments are another great way to add texture to a space. You can use different fabrics to create a variety of textures. For example, using a sheer fabric will create a light and airy feeling, while using a heavier fabric will create a more substantial texture. Additionally, by using different types of curtains, you’ll allow natural illumination to your room and will receive all the benefits of sunlight!
Add texture with accessories
Accessories are a great way to add texture to a space. You can use different materials to create a variety of textures. For example, using a stone sculpture will create a rough texture which creates a feeling of stability, while using a glass vase will create a smooth texture which creates a feeling of calmness.
Incorporate texture into your flooring
Flooring is a great way to add texture to a space. You can use different materials to create a variety of textures. For example, using tile will create a smooth texture creating a feeling of calmness, while using wood will create a more rough texture which creates a feeling of warmth.
Use texture on your walls
Walls are a great way to add texture to a space. You can use different materials to create a variety of textures. For example, using a brick wall will create a rough texture which creates a feeling of stability, while using a grasscloth wallpaper will create a feeling of warmth.
Additionally, by painting your walls with textured paint, you can add dimension and interest to any space.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this research suggests that both humans and dogs experience texture and haptics in similar ways, which means that utilizing pet-friendly textures in your home can have amazing psychological effects that benefit both you and your furry friend.
Additionally, there are a variety of pet-friendly textures that you can use in your home that are easy to clean and maintain, which is important for pet-friendly homes.
Therefore, designers should use this guideline to create the perfect balance between smooth surfaces that humans like and rough ones that dogs prefer. For example, if you have very smooth and slippery flooring, make sure to add runners and area rugs to give your pet traction and a feeling of safety while moving around the house.
Moreover, make sure to add plenty of well-balanced textures in your furniture such as different fabrics in your throw pillows, throw blankets, and upholstery. Don’t forget that walls and window treatments are also a great way to add texture to your pet-friendly home.
This article is a part of a series called Evidence-Based Design Principles for Great Pet-Friendly Interiors, click this link if you want to learn more.
Hire an Online Interior Designer at Havenly
There are several online interior design websites, but Havenly is your best option to hire from a robust list of interior designers that will help you in decorating and creating the perfect dog-friendly home. When you sign up for Havenly, you will take a short quiz about your design style and what you are looking for in a designer. Havenly will then match you with a designer who will help you select paint colors, furniture, and accessories that are both stylish and safe for your furry friend.
In addition, your Havenly designer will be able to provide tips on how to create a space that is both comfortable for your dog and inviting for guests. With Havenly, creating a beautiful and functional home that your dog will love is easy and stress-free.
Click here if you want to learn more about Havenly or book an interior designer and get 25% off your design package if you click here!
