How do you create atmosphere at home through materials?
When decorating a house, people often start with color. What shade for the walls? What tone for the sofa? Yet color only tells part of the story. To bring real atmosphere, you need to look further. Materials play just as big a role. They add depth, character, warmth and comfort. And that last element is essential: a home should not only look beautiful, it should feel right too.
Why are materials so important in an interior?
An interior can look stunning in photos yet feel flat in reality. A smooth floor and clean lines bring calm, but without texture and contrast something is missing. Materials add rhythm and dimension. They shape how a room is experienced. Consider:
- Wood brings warmth.
- Rich fabrics Rich fabrics invite you in.
Natural stone adds solidity.
Linen and wool create lightness and comfort. - Natural stone adds solidity.
Natural stone adds solidity.
Linen and wool create lightness and comfort. - Linen and wool create lightness and comfort.
So what materials create atmosphere in your home?
Each material carries its own emotion. The impact comes from the mix. Velvet or bouclé can give furniture depth and comfort. Marble conveys timeless strength. Brass or black steel add contrast. Linen and cotton keep the space light and approachable. The balance of gloss and matte, smooth and rough, heavy and light brings energy. That mix makes an interior feel alive and harmonious.
How do you combine materials for balance?
A thoughtful mix of materials creates calm and unity. Not too cold, not too flat. Picture a sleek kitchen softened with wooden cabinet fronts. A solid floor paired with a soft rug. Heavy curtains that improve acoustics. Light, sound and comfort all depend on materials. What you touch, what absorbs sound, where light falls, everything shapes how a space feels.
A client story from Bloemendaal
One client in Bloemendaal reached out with a familiar concern: “Our interior doesn’t feel right. It looks bare and uninviting, even though everything is new.”
Their home had a poured concrete floor, a minimalist kitchen, little fabric and white walls. On Pinterest it looked perfect, but in real life it felt cold. Without redesigning the whole space, we brought warmth and atmosphere. We added sisal wallpaper with texture, a large wool rug in the living area, cushions on the sofa, oversized plants, and linen curtains. The change was immediate: the same space, now full of warmth and comfort.
How does Choc Studio choose materials?
At Choc Studio, we look beyond style and focus on daily life. Are there children or pets? Is the home mainly for work or for relaxation? Based on this, we create a material palette that works — in appearance and in use. We always ensure:
- Contrasts that add energy without clutter.
- Repetition that creates calm.
- Layers that bring comfort.
From atmospheric image to tangible choices
Inspiration is easy to find. But what looks good on a screen may feel different in reality. That’s why we work with samples, combinations of materials and 3D visualisations. This gives a clear overall picture before decisions are made. Because an interior is more than color and layout. Materials are what turn a design from simply attractive into truly complete.
About Choc Studio
Since 2007, Choc Studio has guided interior projects from concept to completion. We combine craftsmanship with personal attention, think ahead, and ensure our clients end up with a home that truly suits them.
Since 2007, Choc Studio has guided interior projects from concept to completion. We combine craftsmanship with personal attention, think ahead, and ensure our clients end up with a home that truly suits them.