Designers have known it for years, but the texture trend is catching fire with homeowners and we have a feeling it’s here to stay. I sat down with principal flooring designer, Sara Babinski, to find out what makes texture just as important as any other decorating element and how it can really define a space.

HA: Talk to me a little about texture as a design element.
I’m seeing it everywhere!

SB: The first thing you have to know about texture is how we create it. We can “do” texture in the print (2D) or on the surface (3D using an embossing technique). We’re seeing a big push towards realism. It’s important to people for things to look as real, and natural as possible. That means a few more knots in a hardwood, or an X-grain (milled look) applied to a laminate, those are the “real” elements that homeowners are wanting.

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