Natural materials are any products or physical matter that come directly from nature rather than being made by humans. They add texture and create a sense of connection with the outdoors.
Woods are one of the most versatile and popular natural materials that can be incorporated into your home decor. From dining tables to flooring and beams, wooden elements make a natural statement while remaining sophisticated and timeless.
1. Plants
One of the most common ways to incorporate natural materials into your home decor is with plants. Whether you’re creating a soothing green oasis or a cozy place to read, a few well-placed plants will add the perfect touch. Plants are also great for bringing the outdoors in, since they connect you with nature and create a feeling of relaxation and wellness.
When decorating with plants, look for ones that are native to your area and will thrive in your climate. Then, choose a design that will complement the colors of your surroundings. For example, you can decorate with cactus and succulents for a desert-inspired space or use hellebores for an elegant houseplant display.
Another way to decorate with natural elements is by using branches and leaves. For a dramatic accent, try hanging a twisting manzanita branch on the wall. Or, fill a glass vase with water and add leaves with beautiful color striations or textures for a simple yet stunning tabletop display.
You can also style natural items by season, such as seashells for summer or pine cones and acorns for fall or winter. And don’t forget to include seasonal flowers as decorative accents or centerpieces.
2. Wood
Wood is an important design material that provides texture, warmth and organic style to a home. It is a popular choice for homeowners who want to add a rustic, farmhouse or coastal look. Wood is a versatile material that can be painted or stained in a variety of colors, from modern to traditional.
Wooden accents like picture frames, furniture and wooden shelves help create a natural look in the home. For a more sophisticated touch, repurposed wooden doors can be added as doorways to closets or bedrooms for a unique design element. Wooden walls and kitchen cabinets can also be incorporated into the home to bring a rustic, farmhouse feel.
Branches, driftwood and seashells make great natural decor for the home. These items often come with memories of past vacations and provide a casual, collected feel to the room. These items can be mixed with other elements of nature such as dried flowers and coral to create a layered, earthy look.
Floating shelves are another way to incorporate natural materials into the home. This particular shelf is made from pressed wood and features a beautiful striped pattern. It hangs on black cord and can be used to display books, pottery or potted plants.
3. Stone
Whether it’s a granite countertop in the kitchen or an ancient tiled floor in the bathroom, natural stone adds luxury and a sense of history to any home. But, there’s so much more that this versatile material can do for a home’s interior design.
Incorporate statement stones into your decor by displaying them on tables or counters, or create a unique pathway in the garden with rough stone slabs. The great thing about natural materials is that they are available at a variety of price points, making them more accessible to homeowners than ever before.
Incorporating natural materials into your interior design creates an atmosphere that feels relaxing, cozy, and grounded. Whether you have quality wooden floors in the bedroom or a stone fireplace in the living room, these materials bring a sense of tranquility and help to connect you to nature. If you’re not quite ready to invest in a full redesign, try incorporating natural elements into smaller projects like painting your living room accent wall or laying a marble countertop over an old sink base. You’ll be surprised at how big of an impact these little changes can make.
4. Bricks and Stones
Depending on how they’re used, brick and stone can create many different looks. They’re versatile enough to complement almost any decor style and work beautifully with wood, metals and natural elements.
A brick wall can be a great focal point and a beautiful accent to any room in your home. A textured, rustic or patterned brick wall adds an extra dimension to your space and can complement other elements such as wood furniture and rattan accents.
Exposed brick walls are perfect for a more industrial, loft or farmhouse look and can be combined with rustic or modern decor. There are also ways to incorporate exposed brick in your home without the need for an existing wall. Brick-look veneer is a great option and it’s easy to apply to your existing walls.
Stone can be a great accent in your home, especially if it’s rough and natural. You can incorporate this material into the design of a kitchen sink, floor tiling or even as a fireplace surround. Stones can be incorporated into a garden as well, whether in the form of stepping stones or a simple rock path.
5. Light
When used well, lighting can make a space feel finished and inviting. It can also set the mood, so it’s important to use it wisely in your home decor. A bright, warm glow from a fireplace or wall sconces creates a cozy feeling, while dim ambient lighting can create a romantic space.
Exposure to natural light has been linked to improvements in wellbeing and a boost in mental energy. Incorporate natural lighting into your living spaces by opening the curtains and ensuring that windows aren’t blocked by furniture or large items. If you’re looking for a more dramatic effect, use mirrors or paint your walls in a light, reflective color to let sunlight bounce around your space and open it up.
You can also improve natural light flow by using tall ceilings or adding home decor pieces that have a metal surface. This trick works because metallic surfaces are known to reflect light and help a room appear larger. This is a great way to add a biophilic touch to your living space without having to make any major home renovations.
6. Seashells
When you live a stone’s throw from the beach or have fond memories of beach vacations, it is nice to incorporate some of your favorite coastal elements into your decor. Seashells are the perfect way to make your home feel like a summer cottage, and you can use them in all sorts of ways. Make a unique shell wall art or display your favorite mementos in a shell and driftwood frame. You can even use them as a centerpiece for your dining table.
Another great option is to encrusted your favorite shells in an old planter. This is a fun craft project that you can do with kids and will add a rustic, natural touch to your space. You can also decorate vases, mirrors, photo frames and lanterns with these delicate materials.
If plants and shells aren’t your thing, you can still fill your home with nature by using a leaf-patterned wallpaper or stylistic nature paintings. These natural home décor ideas can work with any style of decorating and will give your rooms a professional design look. If you want to go even further with your natural home décor, consider adding some botanical or animal patterned fabrics to your room.
7. Artwork
Natural materials have a distinctive freshness to them that makes them ideal for bringing a home to life. It’s also easy to find unique pieces that speak to your style and create a personalized vibe for the room. By incorporating these elements into your decor, you can add personality to the space without breaking the bank. Perhaps something like honeycomb patterns on the wall would brighten up your room considerably.
Branches, fur (or faux fur), leaves, pine cones and even dried flowers are trendy natural design elements that can be used as decor. These can be arranged in unique ways to bring interest to a table or book shelf and pair well with other materials like glass, stone and wood.
Using artwork that features representations of flora and fauna is another classic way to incorporate natural materials into your decor. Whether it’s a silk watercolor pillow or a woven basket, these elements work with any decorating style and can serve as a beautiful accent in a room. Mounted antlers can be a fun addition to cottage style, while botanical prints and Audubon-inspired paintings are the perfect complement for a modern aesthetic.
