7 Top Reasons to Embrace Natural Materials in Your Project

16 September, 2021

Natural materials are always a smart option. It will add a breath of fresh air to your interiors and give it a unique look compared to others. You can also make some nice savings by going green. Using natural materials has undergone a renaissance in recent years and most people are giving it a try and for a lot of good reasons.

Materiality in Design

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Interior Design Fundamentals

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Natural materials are quickly gaining in popularity, as construction materials used in architecture, or finishes used in interior design, or pieces of decor. People are more interested than ever in how furniture and decor are manufactured, as well as how design affects the environment. It's no surprise, then, that Biophilic Design is one of the top interior design ideas for 2024.

Designers and their clients are increasingly looking for natural materials in interior design, from woven natural materials like jute, sisal, and rattan to organic textures like driftwood, leather, and polished stone. And we're totally on board and ready to help!

Here are some of the top reasons you should use natural materials in your next interior project:

Before we start, let’s look at what natural materials are available to you.

The term natural materials are slowly becoming a bit of a buzzword, especially in today’s sustainability-focused environment, so let’s define it first. Natural materials, as far as interior design is concerned, are the ones that can be found in nature and either can be used directly or require little human intervention to be made usable.

Moving from this broad definition, we can get more specific and start listing a few, such as wood, stone, wool, coir, or rattan. The amount of processing required will vary depending on the material; certain materials require more processing than others. For example, wood (or 'timber') can be turned into a usable finished product with minimal human intervention - a tree can be cut very simply into smaller components which then can be easily processed. 

It’s also important to differentiate between natural materials and materials that are found in nature. For example, aluminum is found in nature, but it requires a large amount of processing to be usable. This is why this distinction is so important.

Now that we have defined this, let’s look at the advantages they offer.

1. Natural Materials Have Aesthetic Appeal For Most People

Natural materials are excellent options for crafting unique spaces or structures. Architecture projects which are made using natural materials have unique characteristics, which are not easy to imitate using synthetic materials. They also suit a wide range of interior design concepts, from elegant and refined to rustic and bohemian. This extensive flexibility, along with their potential impact on wellbeing, make them uniquely suited to create amazing interiors. 

There’s no denying the beauty and charm of objects and materials that have been around for hundreds or thousands of years, such as stone walls, weathered wood beams, and ceramic tiles. This rich history has led to some unique qualities, which are very difficult to replicate with synthetic materials. A key characteristic that is not imitable is the various imperfections, such as varying shades within the same piece. Every piece is essentially unique, but when put together, they create a harmonious whole.

Natural materials are great for achieving a unique interior design look that is also inviting and appealing. The look will be fresh, different, and attractive to most people. It works well with classic designs as well as modern styles, so you won’t have any problems integrating it into your home or office design project. Above all, they contribute a certain feel to a room or house. They can give comfort and help you relax with their warmth and coziness.

We can also get inspired by Bali interior design style with its balanced and harmonious use of wood and stone in home decor. Whether it’s an all-wooden ceiling, a natural stone fireplace, or just hints of wood elements throughout a room – think wall panels, chairs, tables and lighting fixtures – you can create unique, tranquil environments by bringing together natural materials. Relax amid the softness of wood while being grounded in the substance of stone surfaces.

Wooden floors are something we unmistakably associate with a feeling of comfort and more importantly, home. They have become synonymous with coziness and this relationship is so ingrained in our collective consciousness that it’s almost impossible to break. This appeal has lasted for a long time and will continue to be a factor for interior design well into the future. 

At the other end of the spectrum, we can discuss how we associate marble and large stone tiles with an idea of luxury or high-end design. Just like the example with wooden floors, this association is the result of a long process of the material being engrained in the way we think.

It is very difficult to achieve this sensation and feeling without using a natural material.

2. Use Natural Material as Sustainable Alternative to Highly Processed Materials.

Natural materials are a much more green and sustainable solution that can be used in both interior design and architecture, which has a direct impact on the environment and also on the general wellbeing of people that use the space. It also reduces pollution, improving the carbon footprint. The construction industry is one of the biggest global polluters, so every step must be taken in a sustainable way.

The topic of sustainability is taking more and more center stage in the fight against climate change, with the construction industry being one of the most energy-intensive industries in the world. Because of this, there is a strong push towards using either sustainable or recycled materials. This is where natural materials fit in very well, as it is a greener solution as it will reduce pollution and use fewer resources like water, electricity, and fuel. If you’re looking to improve your carbon footprint, this is a great way to contribute and start.

The ecological benefits are the main reasons for using natural materials in interior design. They will not only ensure that you get a greener solution, but also a natural one. For example, wood is a popular choice when it comes to going green because it is readily available and easy to convert into wood flooring and other products. The best thing about wood is that it can be made from recycled products so you will not contribute to deforestation and environmental degradation.

Wood is a popular choice when it comes to going green because it is readily available and easy to convert into wood flooring and other interior designs. Wood has undergone a sustainability transformation, with the option of having it made from recycled products, so the impact on deforestation can be controlled. Natural materials such as wood, stone, wool, and cotton are all excellent insulators and they make great thermal barriers for your home. This can be especially advantageous in cold climates where you need to retain heat.

The ecological benefits are the main reasons for using natural materials in interior design. They will not only ensure that you get a greener solution, but also a natural one.

3. Price Advantage

Natural materials can be more expensive to purchase compared to more affordable synthetic materials, but they compensate for this in durability and versatility. They will last you much longer in time and can also be occasionally repurposed for new uses.

When looking at the price of materials, we need to factor in several considerations. Purchasing price is first on the list, followed by potential lifespan, maintenance cost, and other advantages. When looking at it from a bird’s eye perspective, natural materials come as more advantageous, even if the purchase price can be higher. A longer lifespan and the potential for repurposing at the end counterbalance the initial cost.

A great characteristic of natural materials is their flexibility and durability, which counterbalance their higher selling price. Because they last longer and can be applied in many different ways, it makes them a solid investment that will make up in time for the price difference. It’s also easy to find a wide variety of materials at hardware stores, lumber yards, and local suppliers if you are willing to look in more places and diversify the search.

Stone can be used in a variety of ways, creating versatile interior designs. They come at a large variety of price points, giving you the option to tailor them to your budget. They can be installed on floors, walls, used for furnishings, allowing you to purchase a single finish and use it extensively. Once they have reached the end of their lifespan they can be reclaimed and converted into decorative pieces or even furnishings. This is the most basic advantage that using natural materials grants, the ability to use reclaimed materials and reinstall them in a new space.

The same holds true for wood, offering the possibility of having it used and reused in a similar manner. Rattan can be reused for furnishing to creating decorative pieces. So it becomes feasible to purchase a single material and use it in multiple ways throughout its lifespan, making them highly economical in the long run.

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4. The Use of Natural Material Will Improve Your Property Resale Value

Because of all the other advantages listed so far, natural materials can bring a direct positive impact on the overall monetary value of the space. A home that uses natural materials throughout the interior design will always be more sought after.

Resale value is a point that is on the mind of a lot of people, and it makes sense why. It’s important that after going through the process of the interior design and construction phases, it’s important that all the work that goes into making a space amazing show up afterward in the overall value. Using natural materials through the design and construction process is a great way to contribute to enhancing the value as well and attracting potential customers.

Wooden floors are highly sought after, so they will have a direct impact on the overall value of the space. The same also applies to stone flooring, such as marble, as they are highly durable, lasting decades. Here, the size of the tile also impacts the value, with larger tiles being considered higher value than smaller ones.

Stone countertops are also considered high value and play a significant role in the way a space is valued. Adding to this, having furnishings made of natural materials is also considered high value.

5. Natural Material Have Stress-Reducing Qualities

Exposure to nature has been shown in numerous studies to help reduce stress and improve cognitive performance. Some studies have even shown that simply looking out the window at nature might have beneficial effects. Natural materials can help replicate this effect.

While moving your entire life outside is not feasible, using natural materials in the interior design of your space will bring those benefits inside. While adding plants to the space can help with these benefits help, using natural materials for bedding, décor, and furniture can assist to create a more relaxing and clean atmosphere. Especially if the components, such as fabrics or wood furnishings, have a more natural aspect.

Using wood indoors has similar benefits when it comes to stress reduction as using plants. Because the material is one we closely associate with nature, and because of its overall aesthetic and feeling it generates when touching it, it can make us feel closer to the natural environment and thus help with stress reduction.

Stone functions in the same way, as it has a lot of the same qualities and features. It is a natural material, has its own set of unique properties, and creates a certain feeling when it’s touched. Because of this, it is also ideal in creating a stress-free environment.

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6. Natural Materials Are Highly Versatile

Natural materials are available in many forms, so you can use them in almost any interior space. Whether you want to use wood, stone, or ceramic tiles, you have a wide selection of options that when creatively combined together, can make any design stand out.

A good advantage of natural materials is that they are not restricted to a single-use. They can be used as flooring, wall covering, and roof tiles to give a fresh look to the space. It’s even possible to use natural materials as furniture or other accessories that will create the right environment. Including natural materials in interior design can bring a unique freshness to your home and also help you save money and the environment. This is a trend that will continue well into the future as more people become aware of it and want to use it in their own spaces or interiors.

Almost all natural materials can be used in multiple ways, making them highly adaptable to a variety of interior design applications, as well architectural uses. Stone slabs such as marble are very versatile. They can be installed on floors, walls, used for furnishings, allowing you to purchase a single finish and use it extensively. Beyond this, they can be used both on the exterior or interior walls as pieces of decor or used to create furniture pieces such as kitchen countertops. 

Ceramic tiles are even more versatile, being able to be used both outside and inside, for both walls and floors. Wood can be used in a variety of situations, from flooring to wall finishes, ceiling finish, decor, and furniture.

7. Natural Materials are Easy to Maintain

Maintenance of natural materials can be very cost-effective: Natural materials such as wood, stone, or leather require very little maintenance and can be an economical choice if you compare them with other types of synthetic materials. 

They’re long-lasting, eco-friendly, and improve the microclimate of indoor environments while also looking attractive and creating layers of insulation. Adding to this they can also be maintained with standard products which can be found pretty much anywhere, further adding to this quality. Finally, they tend to be more scratch-resistant, showing very little signs of wear and tear in time.

Certain types of materials also have antibacterial properties, such as bamboo or eucalyptus, which can help prevent bacteria and odours.

Stone is a very easy-to-maintain material. Some categories are non-porous, so dirt and fluids cannot penetrate the surface, making it easy to clean with a simple mop. These benefits go from finishes to furnishings, so using stone is an excellent choice for a low-maintenance interior. 

Wool is also very easy to maintain, making wool rugs a very durable choice. The same also holds true for cotton, leather, or rattan. Bamboo is another easy-to-maintain material, making bamboo floors a very durable and easy-caring option.

Closing thoughts about the use of natural materials

Natural materials are a very valuable asset that can be used in almost any interior design, with a great range of benefits, both for personal and investment reasons. It is for this reason that they are so highly sought after and can be a great benefit. Using them for both interior and architectural design grants a great range of benefits for both personal and investment reasons, making them highly sought after. Natural materials are quickly becoming a popular choice, as more and more people start caring about how furniture and décor are manufactured, as well as how design affects the environment.

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Yaiza Martinez

Founder and Lead Designer

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