Texture is one of the most powerful elements in interior design, yet it’s rarely the first thing people notice. More often, it’s something you experience rather than consciously see. The softness of a textile against a plaster wall, the shadow cast by fluted millwork, or the visual depth of natural stone all shape how a space feels within seconds of entering it.
In workplace environments, that subtle layer matters more than ever. As companies rethink the role of the office in an era of hybrid work, the physical environment has to offer something employees can’t replicate at home: atmosphere, connection and sensory richness. Texture plays a quiet but critical role in creating those experiences, helping offices feel less transactional and more human.
At Kuchar, we’re thinking about materiality and texture with fresh intention as we look ahead to 2026. Here are the ideas guiding how we approach workplace design today.
Lessons From Hospitality and Residential Design
Because our studio works across residential, hospitality, retail and workplace environments, each sector continually informs the others. Increasingly, the most compelling workplace interiors borrow cues from hospitality and residential design, where comfort, mood and materiality have always been central to the experience.
In residential spaces, texture often establishes calm and intimacy. In a Chicago residence we recently designed, we installed horizontally stacked ceramic tile in a primary bath finished in a matte oat glaze. When illuminated from above, the tile creates a soft rhythm across the wall that feels almost meditative. The same principle translates beautifully to workplace environments — particularly in wellness rooms, quiet areas or executive spaces where a sense of calm can support focus and restoration.
Hospitality projects, by contrast, tend to layer texture more expressively to shape energy and movement. In the design of Gallery Café in Chicago’s West Loop, we intentionally balanced two distinct atmospheres within the same footprint. The gallery area remains visually quiet so rotating art installations can introduce color and liveliness, while the café uses textured tile and warm paint tones to create an inviting transition from the street. In workplace settings, similar strategies can help differentiate collaborative zones, café spaces and social areas without relying solely on architectural separation.
Establishing Hierarchy
Successful texture isn’t about quantity; it’s about hierarchy. Not every surface should command equal attention. Some textures act as the foundation of a space, while others serve as focal points that anchor the design.
We often begin with a single guiding material — a textile, a slab of stone or a distinctive millwork detail — and build outward from there. This approach creates cohesion while preventing the environment from becoming visually overwhelming.
In a recent financial office in Amsterdam, our inspiration began with the city itself and the layered textures embedded in its architecture. Walking along the canals, we studied tiled doorways, brick bridges and the gabled silhouettes of canal houses, then abstracted those rhythms into wall textures, restroom tilework and the broader architectural language of the workplace. Soft wood tones throughout the office provide warmth and continuity, grounding the design within an otherwise contemporary environment.
Many designers are also leaning into contrast to create depth. Pairings such as wool felt wallcoverings with polished nickel, fluted travertine against high-gloss lacquer or nubby bouclé beside patinated bronze introduce tension and visual interest. The key, however, is editing. When every surface competes for attention, texture loses its power.
The Return of Authentic Materials
Texture is also being shaped by a broader cultural shift toward authenticity. Clients are increasingly drawn to materials that feel honest and expressive of craft rather than overly processed or synthetic.
This renewed interest helps explain the resurgence of plaster, natural stone and unlacquered metals in contemporary interiors. Even the theme of the 2026 Maison & Objet design fair — “Past Reveals Future” — reflects this mindset, emphasizing how heritage materials can be reinterpreted for modern spaces.
In our hospitality and residential projects, for example, we’ve incorporated hand-troweled Venetian plaster not as a trend but as a moment of craft. The subtle variation across the surface reveals the artisan’s hand and introduces a depth that perfectly smooth materials simply cannot replicate.
For workplace design, where durability is a major consideration, unlacquered brass can offer a similar sense of authenticity. When used for cabinet hardware or plumbing fixtures, it gradually develops a patina that evolves alongside the space. That aging process reflects this larger shift in how many clients now define luxury and polish: less about flawless surfaces and more about materials that gain character over time.
Unexpected Opportunities for Texture
Some of the most compelling textural moments are appearing in areas designers once treated as secondary — and many of these ideas translate naturally into workplace environments.
Metals, for instance, are entering a new chapter that moves beyond the sleek, flat finishes that dominated the past decade. In a bar installation for the Scandinavian Spaces showroom at THE MART, we used custom-pressed metal panels with a soft, undulating surface reminiscent of wind moving across water. The material is physically rigid yet visually fluid, creating a subtle tension that draws the eye. In workplace settings, similar dimensional metals can introduce movement and visual interest in reception areas, café spaces or feature walls without overwhelming the overall palette.
Ceilings are also becoming more expressive. In a recent restaurant project, we clad the bar ceiling in narrow walnut-stained wood slats, transforming what could have been a purely functional plane into a defining design element. The same strategy translates effectively to workplace interiors — especially in collaborative zones or hospitality-driven spaces — where a textured ceiling helps establish identity while creating a warmer, more immersive atmosphere.
Texture and Sustainability
Texture also intersects with sustainability in ways that are sometimes overlooked. In many cases, the most sustainable design move is preservation rather than replacement.
Adaptive reuse projects frequently reveal materials with rich texture and history that new construction just can’t recreate. Exposed concrete, original brick and other structural elements bring authenticity and depth to a space without requiring additional finishes.
When lightly honed and sealed, concrete surfaces offer both durability and visual character, while brick with irregular mortar lines tells a story about where a building came from. Retaining these materials reduces waste while strengthening the identity of the workplace. Layered with refined lighting, furnishings and contemporary finishes, these preserved elements can feel intentional and elevated rather than raw.
Designing for the Next Generation of Offices
As the role of the office continues to evolve, texture will likely become even more important in shaping the workplace experience. Organizations are increasingly asking their environments to support collaboration, wellbeing and culture in ways that go far beyond basic functionality.
Materiality sits at the center of that shift. Texture brings warmth to large floor plates, introduces visual interest without relying on excessive color and creates sensory experiences that help employees feel grounded in a physical (sometimes stressful) place.
People may not walk into an office and immediately comment on its textures. But they will notice when a space feels layered, thoughtful and alive. In a world where so much of work now happens digitally, those tactile and visual qualities may ultimately be what make the workplace worth returning to.
Editor’s Note: Sarah Kuchar-Parkinson is owner and creative director of Chicago design firm Kuchar.