Creating Interiors with Depth

Do you ever walk into a room and it just feels “right”, or wonder how those homes in magazines achieve that certain je ne sais quoi.  What are they doing? I’d bet the rooms that have sprung to mind for you have all created depth within their interiors. 

Depth is what gives a room complexity and life. It's what keeps your eye moving around the space, always finding something new to linger on. We can achieve depth within a space through careful layering, detailing and balancing different materials…but if all that sounds a bit fluffy, let's break it down into some simple tangible steps that you can take to achieve depth in your home. 

Shelves

Introducing shelving into a space is not only handy for storage but is a great place to start when you are wanting to add more depth into your space. Being able to display books, photographs or other decorative pieces automatically adds interest and personality to a space. 

If you already have shelves, consider painting the back of them a different colour to your wall colour, or perhaps lining them with wallpaper. Again this is adding another layer of interest to the space and this is a lovely addition that I feel can really elevate a space. 

Lighting

I feel like I am forever banging on about lighting no matter the topic, however it really does affect so many aspects of interior design. 

By adding in more lighting layers not only can you better control the mood of a room but you can spot light little areas that may ordinarily go hidden. Think of it like stage lighting, these layers of lighting all help create depth in a room by strategically guiding our eye to certain elements. A table lamp in a cosy corner, recessed lighting within a bookcase or under counter lighting within a kitchen, all these help create little moments within a room, adding depth by playing with light and shadows.

Textures and Patterns 

Playing with textures and patterns can be intimidating, however this is so often the missing piece in many interiors. By layering different materials, patterns and textures your room becomes less monotonous and more like an orchestra - each piece bringing with it its own charm to the space, together creating the visual sound of your home. 

Granted, it can take time to train our eye to see what patterns sit well with others, but give it a go, play around with samples you’ll soon see not only what works but also find what you like. 

Staging

This is the big secret to all of those beautiful glossy images in magazines - there are people dedicated to staging the spaces to be photographed. Of course the likelihood is our homes will never be on the cover of a magazine and is just on show for a selection of our nearest and dearest - but it can be fun to play around with if you are keen to add more depth into your rooms. 

The key here is low pressure - set up little vignettes, a small area on your desk, a few well positioned pieces on a bathroom shelf. See what objects work well together, drop some pieces behind others for that depth. Have a play around with bringing objects from other rooms to give them a fresh start in a new space. 

Ultimately, creating depth isn’t about filling a room with more things or following strict design rules. It’s about layering your space in a way that feels considered, personal and lived-in. When lighting, texture and thoughtful details come together, your home begins to feel richer and more engaging, a space that invites you in and reveals itself slowly, the longer you spend there