1 Simple Way To Bring Life To Themed Rooms Like Disney
Disney is unrivaled in theming sections of their parks and I’m on a mission to build like they do (just with a budget).
Whether you’re a galactic traveler visiting Galaxy’s Edge or paying respects to princesses in Fantasy Land, Disney immerses you in the world. Some tricks are well know like forced perspective with higher parts of the castle shrinking to make it appear taller. They also use color, lighting, scents, and music to add magic.
But there is 1 simple way that they immerse visitors immediately that everyone sees, but few might notice.
The 1 Simple Way: Texture
Almost every building surface has texture to it, which separates it from the flat painted walls we have at home.
Some areas like Galaxy’s Edge are more overt with rocks, greeblies, panels, and piping everywhere. Others are subtle like inside Cinderella’a Castle with seemingly layered wallpaper and exaggerated stone work. Even rides like Winnie The Pooh play into the texture with the fencing having emphasized wood grain and shadows.
The texture is overt enough that it adds to the feeling, but subtle enough that it doesn’t distract.
How To Add Texture To Flat Surfaces
So how can we, as DIYers building projects at home, replicate these feats?
Thin insulation foam board and balled up aluminum foil work for rock textures. Laying many thin panels instead of 1 large adds some depth. Even intentionally spreading spackling on a wall and selectively not fully smoothing it can work to add shadows.
However you choose, the key will be to fully commit to the theme and not go half way.
