The latest textile trends: because plain just won't do!

What exactly are the elements of a beautiful living room? Of course, you need great furniture, accessories, the right lighting, and colour to bring it all together, but there's a secret that all quality designers know that can really take your living room to the next level, and that is texture.

Of course, everything has its own texture. Smooth is a texture, but we're talking about incorporating things like wood and textiles — things that have pattern, movement, and are compelling to touch. These are the things that make a room feel cosy, that make it feel complete. Take this area rug, for example. The raised yellow pattern over the beige undertone doesn't seem like much, but placed in a rather plain room, and incorporated with wooden textures as well, this carpet screams pizazz.

Ethnic rugs are great for the addition of texture to your living room, but they are definitely not the only option.

What is colour blocking exactly? It's a method of implementing multiple solid colours in your interior space. The room revolves around a palette of two or more colours, usually in bold and bright shades. The result is a simple, yet very chic look. Prints and patterns are typically not used in colour blocking, as such designs would take away from the so-called “blocked” visual.

It’s no big deal if your walls are cream-coloured, or your floors are pale — you can take colour blocking to the next level through textiles and accessories. A combination of exciting cushions, for example, or a group of cool, multicoloured vases on the shelves are great ways to get a colour blocked look. The more off-radar you go with your colour combos, the cooler these smaller pieces will look!  For more ideas on how to implement some crazy colour in your home, check out this Ideabook.

You thought animal print was out of style? Think again! Animal print is coming back and you'd be wise to jump on that train. Decorating with animal print can be intimating, because the style has a reputation for being bold. The key is choosing the right type and the best spot, then surrounding it with colors that fit your overall design.

Realistic animal prints usually feature neutral or earth tones, but you can find animal prints in daring, vibrant colours that can make quite a statement. But if you want to stick with realistic, don't be afraid to mix it with bold colours. A red sofa looks chic and modern when paired with leopard or cheetah print. 

If you're a fan of the style, but worried about adding a bold zebra print sofa or leopard print rug to your living room, start small and be subtle. Use an animal print as an indistinct accent instead of as the main attraction. Mix in one or two cheetah print pillows with the other throw pillows on your couch, or add a couple of tiger print candles to your mantel. Any of these additions will spice up your living room and leave your guests in awe.

Geometric designs are all the rage, and it’s no wonder why. Whether they’re patterns on walls, rugs, pillows, or chairs, or have been built into a piece furniture itself, geometric styles are a fantastic way to make your living room more distinctive. 

These patterns can be introduced to a room the easiest with the use of textiles. They are incredibly adaptable, but never more appealing when big, bold, and bright. And with so many decorating techniques at your disposal, your design options are virtually endless. Take this living room, for example. The rather plain beige and white colour scheme of the room is amplified by the simple addition of a simple geometrically designed rug and a few pillows. Changing the vibe would also be effortless. Just add bold geometric patterns where the neutral ones are.

And here's where you can mix and match styles! Colour blocking works exceptionally well when used with geometric shapes – both are daring and they compliment each other exquisitely.

While solids all have their place, interiors are much more fun when we add playful patterns and bold colours that add contrast. Mixing and matching patterns can often be a challenge, especially if you don’t know how to choose the right complimentary colours and scale of patterns to use amongst each other. 

You can combine a plain background on the walls and floor with patterned furniture, as exemplified here. You can spread matching patterns around the room, or match with the draperies, decorative pillows, or lamps. This technique often combines several patterns in one space, which usually calls for clever mixing and matching of fabrics so they're unified, but also contrast for interest.

Just a word of advice, though. Limit the number of patterns in your living room to three until you’re more familiar with using and mixing patterns. You don't want your beautiful vision to be anything less than striking.

What better way to end the Ideabook than with something warm and fuzzy? Soft and fluffy textiles like pillows and throw blankets will transform any living room from a lacklustre space into a cosy paradise – you'll literally be on Cloud 9 with this design choice.

Take these pillows and throw, here. They look like clouds, don't they? Not only do they provide the aesthetic look of clouds, but you'll feel like you're on one as well! You don't even have to stick to these plain colours. Try a vivid blue or purple for an equally cosy feel, but with added pinache.