Wood is like wine; it just gets better with age and never seems to lose its beauty. Even with the increasing number of modern materials, we prefer wood for our contemporary interiors. But why are interior designers faithful to using wood in their projects? What makes them so passionate about it?
Why use wood for interior design? Wood has been used for centuries to create homes and objects that reside inside them – from traditional wooden floors to building-quality furniture. Alongside the variety of use cases, wood has other fascinating properties: – It is strong and durable, making it a long-lasting choice. – It is easy to use both for professional builders and DIY fans. – It has great properties. Ash, pine, teak, oak, beech, mahogany, and every other type of wood (especially thermowood) have their distinct style, unique appearance and qualities. – Wood is a natural material and if it is obtained certified, e.g. by FSC or PEFC, it shows that it comes from responsibly managed forests, thus contributing to sustainable forest management.
Incorporating biophilic design principles Interior designers and architects have long been passionate about working with wooden materials. As sustainability becomes more important, architects try to incorporate biophilic design principles into architecture and interior design. Adding plants and wooden accents is one of the easiest ways to bring nature into your living space.
1. Durability As mentioned above, wood is incredibly durable, making it a favourite of many interior designers. As a natural material, small differences in texture and neutral colors are part of the beauty of wood. It is also one of the natural materials that age very well and is low maintenance. This makes wood suitable both for domestic and commercial spaces. With the right treatment, wood can be used also in wet rooms like bathrooms or spas and also in a contemporary kitchen.
2. Eco-friendly Wood is a natural material and less damaging to the environment than some other indoor decorative materials. Processing wood releases less carbon that can be otherwise harmful to the environment and our health. Furthermore, wood has outstanding insulating properties, thus incorporating it into your home will ensure space is cooled or heated nicely. Plus, it can absorb excessive noise, making it a better place for your mental wellbeing.
3. Affordability When you compare the benefits of adopting wood in your home instead of its price, you will be amazed. Wood has a very good price and quality ratio to be used in interior design. For example, creating a statement wall in your dining room or enhancing neutral shades in a contemporary-style bathroom doesn’t require much material and the installation is also quick and easy.
4. Aesthetic adaptability Not only is wood aesthetically pleasing, but you can also design and use it in different ways to give charm, warmth, and earthiness to a space. From decking to cladding to flooring, wood is a superb material for many contemporary designers. When used the right way, wood can transform a space into a sanctuary.
Wood surfaces can easily be treated with bold colors to brighten up the interior or sanded to get the original neutral tones back afterwards. Thermally modified wood has rich tones, making it an alternative to exotic wood.
5. A source of design inspiration Besides the soothing properties wood brings to an area, it is one of the natural materials that can be adapted to provide a different look and aesthetic. Combining different profiles allow you to add visual interest and tactile qualities to a room. Timber gives an opportunity to enhance living space with clean geometric shapes or streamlined silhouettes, earthy palettes or bold colors.