The Softness Design Personality appeals to warm, empathetic people who enjoy accommodating others. It also suits those who are drawn to such characteristics in their partner, their friends, or their home environment.

In a home based on Softness, we won’t see sharp corners, bold colors, or unusual geometric shapes. Colors have soft tones, cushions are plump, and accessories are round and obliging. Materials that convey a “lived in” feel will add touches of Softness to any room.

Space

A space with no sharp edges evokes an immediate, intangible sense of comfort, which is what the Design Personality of Softness is all about. In Mediterranean, Spanish, and Latin American cultures, homes are made of wood, stone, and even mud, and plastering is done by hand, without using any sophisticated equipment. This soft architectural style goes hand-in-hand with the warm and passionate nature of the people.

To create a space that speaks Softness, round your corners and use arches, domes, and circular shapes in the walls, ceiling, pillars, and openings.

If you are building a new home, try to avoid using industrial equipment in the finish. If you are redesigning an existing space, create Softness through subtle use of covering, molding, or accessories, even if most of your walls are vertical and straight.

Style

Roundness and amorphic shapes are commonly used to create a soft style. Puffy pillows, springy cushioned armchairs with rounded backboards, soft sofas you can relax comfortably on, vases that have a belly, and statues of the female body can all contribute to a warm ambiance.

A bit of intentional disorder is also a great way to create a sense of ease for those who favor it. Plants (especially those with small, delicate leaves), water, and the shadows and reflections they make together create amorphic shapes that will fill your space with the sense of Softness.

Use of antiques or refurbished furniture is a good way to bring in a bit of casual imperfection into a space, creating a soft sense to it.

Color

Pastels top our list of colors used to create the Softness Design Personality. Beige, off-whites, peach, smoky pink, baby blue, lilac, and pale yellow will add a touch of Softness to any room. They can be added in simply by painting a wall or by adding textiles, pictures, or a small accessory. Browns, reds, oranges, and yellows can be mixed with white to create warm softness, while light purples, blues, and greens give a sense of softness that is cooler and more open.

Softness can be achieved using darker hues, provided that they aren’t too clean. Browns and smokey colors are good examples of this.

Materials

As you might expect, carpet, curtains, upholstery, cushions, and any other form of fabric will add layers of Softness to your design. Even more intriguing to explore is the way that hard materials used in walls, windows, doors, and bathroom tiles can contribute to the impression.

As mentioned earlier, natural materials are a better choice than anything industrial or with a smooth and shiny finish: soft edges with slight imperfections, hand-made instead of machine-cut, and materials with a slight feeling of wear and tear. Wood and wooden floors are excellent; stone, concrete, or terra-cotta floors, which radiate warmth, are also a nice option.