Natural wood tones have gained popularity recently, infusing interiors with warmth, style, and comfort. Following the longtime popularity of cool grays, the design pendulum has swung in the opposite direction in recent years and we've seen a return to warm tones and organic materials.
"Natural wood is grounding and there's something about it that feels comforting in a space," says interior designer Bianca Ecklund, who frequently incorporates the material into the spaces she designs. "This is part of why it's huge in design currently," she says.
EDMUND BARR
In one sense, the natural wood trend is a return to basics: Free of stain or paint, raw, natural wood is clean and unpretentious. It can be used in various different forms from kitchen cabinetry to flooring, and it's one of the best design tools for creating an inviting environment. If you're considering incorporating natural wood into your home, we're sharing the materials and colors to pair it with, what design styles it complements, and how to use it for maximum impact.
EDMUND BARR
How to Incorporate Natural Wood
"We all want a chic space that pulls you in and feels comfortable—a space you never want to leave because you just feel so good in it," Ecklund says. Natural wood has an inherent ability to create a warm and welcoming space, especially when paired with other natural materials. The pandemic has played a large role in transforming our homes and bringing the outdoors inside, and natural wood is a great way to do so.
To achieve this nature-inspired aesthetic, pair the raw material with a neutral color palette featuring organic tones and layers of texture that exude warmth and comfort. Plenty of natural light is key, as it helps open up a room and highlights the wood's warm tone and grain pattern details that add an extra layer of interest.
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Which Design Styles Go with Natural Wood?
Natural wood works well with a number of design styles, from minimalist and Scandinavian style to modern farmhouse—but in recent years it's the California-cool look that's become synonymous with this trend. The material is light and clean, which is particularly fitting for the bright and airy interiors that this design style embodies. "For that effortless California look, it's important to add wood elements to every room, whether it be cabinetry, flooring, furniture, or shelving," Ecklund says. Complete the look with a neutral color palette and crisp white trim, large windows that flood the space with lots of light, layered textures that set a relaxed tone, and other natural materials such as stone.
EDMUND BARR
How to Use Natural Wood in Your Home
"Wood in a home is so important and I like to use some form of natural wood in every room," Ecklund says. Depending on your style and budget, you can incorporate as much or as little natural wood into your space as you like to channel the popular trend. Natural wood floors, ceilings, and cabinetry offer a more permanent way to showcase the material but are also an investment, while furniture is a more flexible and inexpensive way to incorporate the trend.
Wood Flooring
Flooring is one of the best ways to incorporate natural wood into your home, as it covers a large surface area and sets the tone for the whole space. "My go-to is rift white oak," Ecklund says, which has a distinct linear grain pattern that adds to its visual interest and organic appearance. Natural wood floors create an open and airy space that's not weighed down by a heavy stain, but instead is well suited for a light and bright aesthetic. It's also a neutral enough base to use with a variety of colors when it comes to choosing rugs, furniture, and upholstery, which makes it a versatile flooring choice.
Wood Cabinetry
Instead of opting for classic white kitchen cabinets, fill the heart of your home with the warmth that natural wood cabinetry brings. There are several options when it comes to the different types of wood you can use, and they vary in tone, grain pattern, durability, style, and price point. If you want to create a modern kitchen design, choose white oak or beech wood, both of which are light and bright and work well with a contemporary style home. For a more rustic space, try red oak, cherry, or walnut wood that have a warmer tone which lends itself well to a more traditional aesthetic.
If you like the idea of natural wood cabinetry but don't want to use it throughout the entire kitchen, consider using natural wood on your island and using the material as an accent that complements painted cabinets.
Wood Furniture
Furniture is a great non-permanent way to incorporate natural wood into your home. You can do so in a small dose through a pair of nightstands flanking an upholstered bed or a side table next to the sofa for a subtle nod to nature-inspired design. For more dramatic impact, use natural wood through larger, more dominant pieces of furniture such as a dining table that's highlighted with a statement light fixture or a wall of wooden bookcases that extend to the ceiling and bring in ample warmth.
Wood Ceilings
A statement ceiling has the power to transform the entire room. Instead of defaulting to a can of standard ceiling white paint, make a statement with a natural wood ceiling. Use it in the form of wood ceiling beams that add a rustic touch, wood planks for a cozy cabin-inspired space, or an elegant coffered wood ceiling that sets a sophisticated tone for a formal room such as a dining room.
Wood Wall Paneling
Similar to a statement ceiling, wall paneling is a beautiful way to add visual interest, contrast, and dimension to a room. Add natural wood to walls through wainscoting or decorative beadboard for a two-tone look. Or, create a paneled accent wall that ties in other natural wood elements in the space.