Lighting and texture are the secret dynamic duo of interior design, quietly shaping how a space looks and feels. When used together, they can transform a room from flat to fabulous. Here’s how lighting can bring out the best in different materials, with a few illuminating tricks along the way…

Why is texture important in interior design?

Texture is one of the seven elements of interior design.  It can have a real impact on our experience of a space. Texture isn’t just about how things feel under your fingertips – it’s also about how they register visually. It’s how something ‘feels to the eye’, adding depth, and drama, and creating focal points and atmosphere. 

A room can be minimalist in colour but still full of depth and character if texture is used well. Layering different materials and finishes – whether it’s a velvety sofa, a rustic wooden floor, or a glossy ceramic lamp – adds richness and personality to a space.  Crucially, lighting is the secret ingredient that makes those textures pop.

How does lighting interact with different textures?

It depends on the mood you’re after. Directional lighting – where light hits a surface at an angle – creates contrast and drama, enhancing the peaks and troughs of textured materials. It’s the design equivalent of sculpting: light carves out depth, bringing everything to life. Diffused lighting, on the other hand, spreads light evenly, softening imperfections and creating a more uniform, subtle texture.

Now, let’s dive into how different materials respond to light and how to make them look their best.

How to use lighting to enhance different materials

1) Wash light over stone and exposed brick

Portreath up and down pillar light in copper

Stone and exposed brick have a raw, architectural beauty, and lighting can elevate their character. Wall lights – particularly ‘up and down’ designs – create a warm glow that highlights the ruggedness of the material while also smoothing out any imperfections. 

The Portreath up-and-down pillar light is a good example, casting a gentle wash of light that brings out the detail in stone and masonry.

2) Use warm lighting to accentuate natural wood

Dontanello pendant light in brass and clear brass

Wood is already rich in natural character, but lighting can take it up a notch. The key here is colour temperature. Warm lighting (think golden, firelight hues) enhances the grain and natural tones of the wood, while cooler lighting can make it look flat or washed out.  (See more about colour temperature in our guide).

A Dontanello pendant light in brass and clear glass is a perfect pairing for a wood-panelled room, throwing a golden glow that makes timber surfaces look even more inviting.

3) Create a translucent glow with a silk lampshade

45cm straight empire shade in white silk

Fabric plays an essential role in interior design, adding warmth and softness, and different fabrics have their own special characteristics, and interact with light in different ways. From block printed cotton and marbled paper, to jute, silk, linen and velvet, fabric lampshades will add texture and create accents and atmosphere. Silk has a natural sheen that interacts beautifully with light, creating a soft, diffused glow. Our gathered silk lampshades are made from delicate, lightweight silk that allows light to pass through gently, while our dupion silk shades, woven with two threads, produce a subtle iridescence (complete with natural ‘slubs’ for extra texture).

4) Add richness and drama with a velvet lampshade

Tall tapered velvet lampshade in posh pink

Velvet is the diva of the fabric world – soft, opulent, and a little bit decadent. Because it’s dense and opaque, it doesn’t let much light pass through, but that’s exactly why it’s so effective in accent lighting. A velvet lampshade directs light up and down rather than outwards, creating pools of soft illumination and dramatic shadows. If you want to add a touch of grandeur, velvet is the way to go.

5) Mix and match materials for maximum impact

Larger Ambrose table lamp in natural terracotta with a silk shade

Pairing a fabric lampshade with a ceramic, glass, or metal table lamp base adds another layer of texture, keeping things visually interesting.

Whether it’s wood, resin, or brass, don’t be afraid to mix finishes and materials to create depth and contrast.

At Pooky, we love the way lighting transforms materials, making them sing in different ways. Browse our full range of lighting and lampshades and find the perfect pieces to add texture, character, and a little bit of magic to your home.

See also:

The seven elements of interior design – a guide to understanding and combining them

The seven elements of interior design: Texture

Understanding warm lighting - plus a guide to colour temperature

Image top: @yasi.fatohally