Published on:

02 December 2025

Updated on:

02 December 2025

Read time:

Claire Stant

Creative Director

The surfaces we touch, the materials we encounter and the tactile qualities that surround us throughout the workday influence how we experience our workplace environments. 

From plush upholstery to polished concrete, the textures within your office communicate volumes about your brand whilst simultaneously affecting employee comfort, concentration, and creativity. Thoughtful texture choices create multi-dimensional spaces where employees genuinely want to work. 

How texture in the workplace shapes employee experience 

Texture in workplace often goes unnoticed, yet it shapes how we experience our work environments every day. 

The materials we interact with - from the desk surface we lean on to the chair fabric we sit in - create sensory responses that affect our comfort and focus. Smooth surfaces feel efficient and clean, natural materials bring warmth and calm, whilst soft textiles offer acoustic comfort and psychological ease. 

Understanding how different textures function helps create spaces that genuinely support the work being done within them. 

Why should you consider texture in workplace design?

Whilst colour, lighting, and layout typically dominate workplace design conversations, texture remains an underutilised element that significantly influences how spaces perform. 

Texture operates on a more subtle, sensory level than visual design alone. It's the difference between a space that looks good in photographs and one that feels genuinely comfortable to work in for eight hours daily. The tactile quality of materials affects temperature perception, sound behaviour, and even cleaning requirements - practical considerations that directly impact operational costs and employee satisfaction. 

Unlike paint colours that can be changed relatively easily, texture decisions often involve longer-term commitments through flooring, wall treatments, and office furniture investments. Getting these choices right from the outset saves money and disruption whilst creating environments that support rather than hinder daily work activities. 

Which textures work best for different spaces?

Different textures trigger specific sensory and psychological responses in your employees. When planning an office refurbishment or fit out, understanding these effects helps you make informed decisions about materials that will support your team's daily work whilst reflecting your organisational values.

Soft textures: creating comfort and calm environments

Soft textiles, upholstered furniture, fabric office acoustic panels, and textile wall coverings create immediate feelings of comfort and psychological safety. These materials signal relaxation and approachability whilst providing essential acoustic absorption in otherwise reverberant spaces.

Soft textures work exceptionally well in:

  • Breakout spaces designed for informal collaboration
  • Focus rooms where acoustic comfort supports concentration
  • Office reception spaces where first impressions matter
  • Meeting rooms requiring sound dampening
  • Wellness areas intended for decompression

Soft textures also serve functional purposes. Fabric-wrapped acoustic panels reduce noise pollution, whilst upholstered seating in collaborative zones encourages employees to connect.  

Hard textures: the modern foundations

Polished concrete, glass partitions, metal fixtures, and smooth laminate surfaces communicate efficiency, modernity, and professionalism. These materials reflect light, define boundaries clearly, and create visual sharpness that supports focused work modes.

Hard textures should be strategically implemented in:

  • Reception areas projecting corporate credibility
  • Technology-focused work zones
  • Circulation spaces requiring durability
  • Meeting rooms where presentations demand attention
  • Areas requiring easy maintenance and hygiene

Hard surfaces offer practical advantages: glass partitions maintain visual connectivity, polished floors withstand heavy traffic, and metal fixtures provide longevity. However, environments dominated by hard surfaces alone can feel cold and generate acoustic issues. 

How to balance hard textures with comfort

Natural textures: the biophilic connectors

Wood grain, stone surfaces, natural fibres, living plant walls, and organic materials forge powerful connections between occupants and the natural world. These textures tap into our innate biophilic needs, reducing stress and cognitive fatigue whilst potentially enhancing overall wellbeing and visual interest.

Natural textures are particularly effective in:

Exposed timber beams, stone feature walls, and cork flooring create sensory richness that synthetic materials cannot replicate. 

Natural textures also communicate environmental responsibility and authentic design values, increasingly important factors for employees evaluating potential employers. 

Explore the biophilic design principles

Tactile textures: engaging the senses

Three-dimensional wall panels, textured acoustic tiles, interactive surfaces, and deliberately rough or irregular finishes create sensory engagement that stimulates curiosity and breaks visual monotony. These elements transform passive environments into spaces that invite exploration and interaction.

Tactile elements work effectively in:

  • Innovation labs encouraging experimental thinking
  • Circulation corridors that might otherwise feel transitional
  • Feature walls defining brand identity
  • Sensory-conscious spaces supporting neurodiverse employees
  • Creative departments where inspiration matters

Tactile engagement particularly benefits neurodivergent employees who may process sensory information differently. Offering varied textural experiences throughout the workplace creates inclusive environments that accommodate diverse sensory preferences and needs. 

How to create a neurodiverse workplace

How to mix textures in workplace

Combining different textures effectively requires careful consideration. Design teams follow several key principles when creating balanced textural schemes:

  • The rule of three: incorporate at least three distinct textures within any given space to create sufficient visual interest without overwhelming the senses. For example, combine smooth glass partitions with textured office acoustic panels and natural wood furnishings.
  • Vary scale: mix large-scale textural elements like feature walls with medium elements like upholstered furniture and small-scale details like decorative cushions or table accessories. This layering creates depth and prevents monotony.
  • Balance weight: heavy, substantial textures like stone or thick timber should be balanced with lighter elements like sheer fabrics or delicate metalwork to prevent spaces feeling oppressive.
  • Create textural journeys: consider how employees move through spaces and experience changing textures. Effective workplace design often transitions from harder, more formal reception materials to progressively softer, more comfortable textures as employees move into their primary work environments.

Respect material authenticity: authentic materials deliver better results than imitations. Faux wood laminates lack the depth and sensory richness of genuine timber. Real materials, even when more expensive, provide superior sensory experiences. 

Texture is the unsung hero of workplace design. You might not consciously notice it, but your body responds to every surface you touch, every material you see. The difference between an office that energises people and one that drains them often comes down to how thoughtfully textures have been layered throughout the space.

Claire Stant, Creative Director

Ready to transform your workplace

Get in touch for advice on your project

0118 9131811 Get in touch

How to add texture in your workplace

When integrating texture in workplace design, consider multiple implementation approaches:

  • Architectural elements: exposed brick, concrete, or timber ceilings create dramatic textural impact that defines entire spaces without requiring furniture changes.
  • Wall treatments: three-dimensional panels, acoustic tiles, natural stone cladding, fabric systems, or textured paint applications transform vertical surfaces from blank canvases into engaging features.
  • Flooring choices: combine polished concrete in circulation areas with carpet tiles in work zones and luxury vinyl planks mimicking natural wood in collaborative spaces, creating textural definition between different functional areas.
  • Furniture and fixtures: upholstered seating, wood tables, metal lighting fixtures, and glass accessories each contribute distinct textures whilst serving functional purposes.
  • Soft furnishings: cushions, throws, curtains, and rugs offer easily changed textural elements that can evolve with your design direction without requiring construction work.
  • Biophilic design elements: living plant walls, preserved moss panels, and natural fibre screens introduce organic textures whilst simultaneously improving air quality and acoustic performance.
  • Office lighting integration: backlighting textured surfaces amplifies their three-dimensional qualities, whilst varied lighting fixtures themselves contribute textural interest through materials like woven rattan, hammered metal, or frosted glass. 

Texture and brand perception 

The materials and textures you select communicate powerful messages about your organisation to employees, clients, and visitors: 

  • Quality signals: premium materials like natural stone, solid timber, and quality upholstery communicate investment in excellence and attention to detail that extends beyond surface appearances. 
  • Cultural authenticity: texture choices should align with stated organisational values. Companies emphasising sustainability should feature recycled, reclaimed, or responsibly sourced materials.  
  • Consistency matters: textural language should remain coherent throughout your workplace. Mixing luxury textures in executive areas with cheap materials elsewhere creates uncomfortable hierarchies and undermines cultural cohesion. 
  • Memorable experiences: distinctive textural choices create memorable spaces that differentiate your workplace from competitors, strengthening employer brand and supporting talent attraction. 

Create workplaces that engage all senses with strategic texture design

Texture represents an important yet often overlooked element in workplace design. From the acoustic performance of fabric-wrapped panels to the psychological comfort of natural wood, the materials you select shape daily employee experiences in meaningful ways.

The most successful workplaces layer different textures strategically - combining soft and hard, natural and manufactured, smooth and tactile - to create environments that feel intentionally designed rather than arbitrarily assembled.

The textures in your workplace communicate who you are as an organisation whilst directly influencing employee comfort, concentration, and wellbeing. Getting these decisions right from the outset creates lasting value that photographs alone cannot capture. 

Get in touch for advice on your project

Frequently asked questions

How to add texture in your workplace?

Texture can be added through multiple approaches: architectural elements like exposed brick or timber ceilings, wall treatments such as three-dimensional panels or fabric systems, varied flooring materials including carpet tiles and polished concrete, furniture selections combining different materials, soft furnishings like cushions and rugs, and biophilic elements such as living plant walls or natural fibre screens.

Why does texture matter in your workplace?

Texture significantly influences how employees experience their work environment. It affects acoustic comfort (soft textures absorb sound whilst hard surfaces reflect it), thermal perception (natural materials feel warmer than glass or metal), psychological comfort (varied textures prevent sensory monotony), and brand perception (material choices communicate organisational values). Thoughtful texture selection can improve employee satisfaction, concentration, and overall wellbeing. 

What textures work best in office spaces?

The best textures depend on the specific area and its function. Soft textures like upholstered office furniture and fabric acoustic panels work well in meeting rooms and breakout spaces. Hard textures such as glass, concrete, and metal suit reception areas and circulation spaces. Natural textures including wood and stone are effective throughout, particularly in wellness areas and collaborative spaces. Most successful workplaces combine multiple texture types rather than relying on a single approach. 

How does texture affect acoustics in the workplace?

Texture directly impacts sound behaviour. Hard, smooth surfaces (glass, polished concrete, metal) reflect sound waves, creating echo and reverberation that can increase noise levels and cognitive load. Soft, porous textures (fabric-wrapped panels, upholstered furniture, carpet tiles, textile wall coverings) absorb sound, reducing ambient noise and improving speech intelligibility. Strategic texture placement can dramatically improve office acoustic comfort without expensive sound masking systems. 

Can texture choices help with employee wellbeing?

Yes, texture significantly influences employee wellbeing. Natural materials like wood and stone can reduce stress and cognitive fatigue. Varied textures accommodate neurodiverse employees with different sensory preferences. Soft textures create psychological safety and comfort. Appropriate acoustic textures reduce noise-related stress. Textured environments feel more intentionally designed, signalling to employees that their experience matters.

What are current trends in workplace texture?

Current trends include adaptive materials that change properties based on environmental conditions, bio receptive surfaces supporting living plant integration, advanced acoustic technologies with ultra-thin profiles, modular textural systems allowing personalisation, antimicrobial surfaces supporting hygiene, and digital-physical integration incorporating embedded technology. Natural and authentic materials continue growing in popularity as organisations prioritise wellbeing and sustainability. 

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Meet the Author

Claire Stant Creative Director
Claire Stant Creative Director

Claire has a wealth of experience creating much celebrated workplace destinations + interior stories for market leading brands. With a focus on blurring the line between workplace, hospitality + retail, Claire’s drive is to create happy + healthy work-life experiences that truly improve her clients’ wellbeing, productivity + culture. Claire’s interpretation of the brand, personality + aspirations of her clients is second to none.

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