Here’s How to Incorporate the Material

Natural wood tones have surged in popularity, bringing warmth, style, and comfort back to interiors. This shift marks a departure from the longtime favor of cool grays, as home design embraces warm tones and organic materials. Interior designer Bianca Ecklund notes that natural wood feels grounding and comforting, and it’s currently a major trend in design.

With its clean, unpretentious aesthetic, natural wood can be featured in anything from kitchen cabinetry to flooring. Explore how you can incorporate this enduring material into your home to create inviting spaces, highlighting the best complementary materials, colors, and design styles for a cohesive look.

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 inherently creates warmth, especially when combined with other natural materials. The trend of bringing the outdoors inside, amplified by the pandemic, makes natural wood an excellent choice.

To embrace a nature-inspired aesthetic, combine raw wood with a neutral color palette and layers of texture for warmth and comfort. Ensure abundant natural light to brighten the room and accentuate the wood’s grain and warm tones, adding visual interest.

Which Design Styles Go with Natural Wood?

Natural wood complements various design styles, from minimalist and Scandinavian style to modern farmhouse. Recently, the California-cool look has become closely associated with this trend. The material’s light, clean quality suits the bright, airy feel of this style “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. Enhance the space with a neutral color palette, crisp white trim, large windows for ample light, layered textures for a laid-back vibe, and additional natural materials like stone.

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 embrace the trend with varying degrees. Opt for natural wood floors, ceilings, and cabinetry for a long-term investment, or use furniture to flexibly and affordably introduce natural wood into your space.

Wood Flooring

Wood flooring is a fantastic way to bring natural elements into your home, as it covers significant space and establishes the tone of the room. “My go-to is rift white oak,” Ecklund says, noting its distinct linear grain pattern that adds visual interest and an organic look. Natural wood floors create an open, airy ambience without the weight of a heavy stain, supporting a light and bright aesthetic. They also offer a neutral base, making them versatile for pairing with various colors in rugs, furniture, and upholstery.

Wood Cabinetry

Instead of classic white kitchen cabinets, consider warming up your kitchen with natural wood cabinetry. Choose from a range of woods that vary in tone, grain, durability, style, and cost. For a modern kitchen, opt for light and bright woods like white oak or beech, ideal for contemporary settings. To achieve a rustic feel, select red oak, cherry, or walnut, which offer warm tones suitable for traditional designs.

If you love natural wood cabinetry but prefer not to use it throughout your kitchen, consider making it an accent by incorporating it into your island, complementing painted cabinets.

Wood Furniture

Incorporating natural wood through furniture is a fantastic, non-permanent way to embrace this trend. Start small with nightstands beside your bed or a side table next to the sofa for a hint of nature-inspired design. For a bolder statement, select larger pieces like a natural wood dining table enhanced by a striking light fixture or a floor-to-ceiling wall of wooden bookcases to introduce warmth.

Wood Ceilings

A statement ceiling can dramatically transform a room. Instead of sticking with standard ceiling white paint, consider using natural wood. Wood ceiling beams add a rustic charm, while wood planks create a cozy, cabin-inspired feel. An elegant coffered wood ceiling can establish a sophisticated ambience in a formal space like a dining room.

Wood Wall Paneling

Like a statement ceiling, wall paneling beautifully enhances a room’s visual interest, contrast, and dimension. Incorporate natural wood through wainscoting or decorative beaded board for a two-tone effect. Alternatively, create a paneled accent wall that harmonizes with other natural wood features in your space.