Throughout the time I've spent musing, debating, and writing about interior design, layering has consistently been at the center of the discussion. 'Layer textures throughout your space,' and 'layer complementary colors within your scheme,' are phrases I hear a lot. But despite its significance, layering in interior design can often feel quite vague and abstract. Which made me wonder: What does it actually mean to layer different elements of design? And why do designers rely on layering so much?
First and foremost, layering in interior design is not simply about adding more 'stuff'; it's about what you put together with intention and purpose. Every layer should be there for a reason — whether that's functionality, comfort, warmth, contrast, or storytelling. And, as interior designer Jen Baxter of Baxter Hill Interiors tells me, "Designers rely on it because it creates emotional depth: a layered room feels lived-in and intentional when done well."
