“Nature never did betray the heart that loved her."
- William Wordsworth
Urban and metropolitan cities are often referred to as ‘urban jungles’. Agree or not, with air and noise pollutants rising around us, who wouldn’t want a piece of serene nature in their city home?
Using natural materials for interiors is always an excellent choice. They are not only eco-friendly but are also trendy irrespective of the changing interior design styles in 2021.
5 Natural Materials to Turn Your Home Into an Eco-Friendly Zen
Here we present our favourite picks of popular natural materials for premium Mumbai home interiors and how they can be incorporated into your adobe.
#1. Wood
"Wood, if you stop to think of it, has been man's best friend in the world. It held him in his cradle, went to war as the gunstock in his hand, was the frame of the bed he came to rejoicing, the log upon his hearth when he was cold and will make him his last long home. It was the murmuring bough above his childhood play and the roof over the first house he called his own."
― Donald Culross Peattie, American Heartwood
When it comes to architectural structures, wood is, no doubt, an essential material, especially due to its enduring nature. Very few materials are at par when it comes to the adaptability and flexibility of wood. Due to this factor, wood can be seen across both ends of the spectrum, from modern spaces to rural homes.
Another noteworthy factor is that wood is capable of lending a warm and cozy feel, a unique characteristic that cannot be seen with any other natural material. Wood can be natural or human-made.
Wood can be broadly categorised into Solid Wood and Engineered Wood.
Solid wood materials do not have any hollow spaces inside them and they are derived from the lumber of various trees. Some of the popular solid wood categories are hardwood (like Mahogany, Oak, Walnut, Maple, Birch, Cherry, etc.) and softwood (like Pine, Redwood, Sal, Red Cedar, etc.).Each category is unique in texture, grain, look, and properties.
Engineered wood, on the other hand, is a derived product that is made by binding various strands or particles of wood joined together by adhesives or other forms, to form a composite material. Examples include plywood, fibreboard, particleboard, blockboard, etc. HDHMR (High-Density High Moisture Resistant Board) is another new type of engineered board that has entered the market.
Advantages of Wood:
Wood is timeless and always in fashion.
Wood can be reshaped and redesigned easily.
It can take various textures and colours.
Wood is a good insulator.
Areas where Wood can be Used:
As a surface material for walls, flooring, ceiling
Furniture
Cabinets for kitchen
Doors and Window frames
Recycled wood can be used for decorative wall panelling, rustic tabletop, etc. A simple reclaimed lumber art framework would enhance the room greatly.
#2. Bamboo:
"The first year it sleeps, the second year it creeps, the third year it leaps."
-Joshua Siskin
Man's relationship with bamboo dates centuries back, where bamboo has been used as food material, tools, and building material. Bamboo has also been used in making musical instruments as well as weapons.
Bamboo, like wood, is a tropical growing plant but has more sustainability. Bamboo can be used within three to four years of planting compared to other hardwoods that require sixty to seventy years.
Advantages of Bamboo:
Bamboo requires very minimal pesticides or fertilizers and hence this makes it more appealing from an ecological standpoint.
Bamboo has the capacity to absorb more carbon dioxide and release more oxygen into the surroundings compared to other hardwoods.
Bamboo is not a tree but a grass; hence this makes it easy to renew it, and also, its cutting does not impact the environment badly.
Areas where Bamboo can be Used:
Flooring - Bamboo like wood does not expand or contract on variable environmental conditions.
Bathroom – Wood made from bamboo shoots has higher density and offers a low conductivity of heat when combined with thermal insulation. This aspect makes it a popular material for the construction of bathtubs, especially in tropical countries. Bamboo also makes an excellent material for bathroom flooring, as its fibres prevent the water from soaking in.
Indoor Bamboo garden – Bamboo is a plant that requires very little maintenance, and hence tiny bamboo plants are quite popular in indoor gardens. Bamboo plants also emanate more oxygen, which is another reason why they are popular as indoor plants.
Bedroom - Bamboo headboards and footboards.
Living Room - Bamboo pole wall inserts, potted small bamboo plants. (Chinese bamboo plants are supposed to be harbingers of good luck according to Chinese tradition), bamboo sofas and chairs etc.
#3. Leather
“Leather – the name is enough”
Leather is a classic symbol of elegance and luxury. Leather comes in various shapes, colours, forms, and textures and can suit any type of space requirement and style. It is sleek and brings in a timeless aesthetic décor.
We have all seen leather in the form of jackets, handbags, and upholstery. What is not known is that leather can also take the form of floor coverings and wall coverings. An expert installation of leather flooring lasts for a lifetime.
Take the historic Frelinghuysen Morris House and Studio in Massachusetts, for instance: the studio was able to preserve the natural leather flooring for more than three-quarters of a century, after which it had installed new tiles.
For homeowners who plan to move soon, there are temporary options like a portable magnetic leather tiling system, which can be installed as flooring or as a wall cover. They can be removed easily and taken wherever one relocates and re-installed.
Advantages of Leather:
Leather is long-lasting and durable - It can withstand sun, heat, and other wear and tear for years.
Leather requires minimal maintenance. While fabrics may require strong solvents for cleaning, leather can be maintained with a simple cloth to clean the dust and spills.
Leather can be both masculine and feminine and thus, can be changed relatively based on the client's choice.
Leather has good acoustic absorption capacity and hence is most suitable for home theatre areas and boardrooms in office spaces.
Areas where Leather can be Used:
Leather can be used as a finish material in various seaters and countertops, bed headboards, wall coverings, and floor tiles.
Aforesaid magnetic floor tiling is a new opportunity for using leather in homes and commercial office spaces. Homeowners can change the floor-plan with a better colour scheme, while office spaces will find repairs easier in leather flooring as it is labour and cost-effective.
Leather door panels are an exciting option, and they bring in sophistication even when the leather is installed sparingly. Leather accent doors are another good choice.
Other possibilities include installing an entire wall leather cabinetry that will add elegance and much-needed appeal to any room.
Leather Curtains is one uncommon choice but is garnering more interest in recent years. They give a luxurious look, and one can opt for various colours and textures. One can even use laser technology for making leather curtains. However, these curtains must be maintained well and kept safe from sun damage.
Other areas include Rugs, carpets, dining, and lounge chairs.
#4. Brick and Stones
“With a huff and a puff, I will blow your house down.”
Most of us would have childhood memories of this sentence from the story of the three little pigs. The pig whose house was built with brick managed to escape from nature’s (and wolf’s) fury.
True, there is nothing stronger than brick and stone.
Advantages of Brick & Stone:
Brick is baked from the natural material clay. It is a timeless material and a good thermal insulator.
Areas where Brick and Stone can be Used:
Brick and stone though related to austerity can be used well in interior design. For instance, a brick accent wall adds a rustic charm to any room. The same brick wall, when painted white, will cleverly accompany the Scandinavian style.
Similarly, stone surfaces can be used in a minimalist interior style, and they can replace traditional tiles on the floor.
A stone countertop for the kitchen or a stone farmer sink will add to the rustic charm.
If you still cannot find a place to add a stone, try opting for using it on a window sill by incorporating a light marble or quartz window frame.
#5. Other Natural Materials
Other natural materials include:
Iron (for industrial style interiors, legs for sofas, etc.),
Rattan and Wicker (a huge hit in the '70s, this good old material can be used for storage solutions like baskets, furniture, etc.),
Seagrass (its accents lend a coastal chic to any interior),
Shells (can be used for shell sinks, curtains, feature walls, table centerpiece trims, planters, mirrors, chandeliers, etc.)
Feathers (wallpapers, upholstery, embellishments on fans and mirrors),
Cork (can be used in flooring and mimic hardwood floors) and
Jute ( a good heat insulator).
Let us know which natural material for home interiors inspires you the most and what you would like to incorporate in your home.
Whether it is your home office or the perfect bedroom, we at Hipcouch provide a premium and passionate service. To get in touch with our Team, call/WhatsApp at +91 97698 91528 or contact us here.