With a renewed focus on feeling cozy and grounded at home, interior design is taking a back-to-basics approach by putting wood decor front and center, showcasing the rugged beauty of natural grains, colorful painted wood, and impressive, detailed millwork and accents.
The appeal of wood decor extends beyond its inherent warmth. It is a key element of several hot design trends, including Japandi and biophilic design and is a hallmark component of notable housing styles, like the enduring Craftsman and the Farmhouse.
Why is wood decor so warm and cozy? What are the most popular uses for wood in interior decor? What do you need to know about mixing natural wood tones successfully?
Here is what you need to know about incorporating wood, and wood details and decor, into your home.
What is Comforting About Wood Decor?
Wood, natural wood in particular, relies on the emotional connection of biophilic design to deliver cozy comfort. Think of a walk in the woods or forest bathing. It’s about balancing awareness of tranquil, open space, and having firm footing within it.
That’s some of what wood provides in interior decor.
“Encasing an interior in a beautiful swath of wood creates a grounding space that connects us with the serene beauty of woodlands,” says WELL and LEED accredited interior designer Sarah Barnard
Another reason wood decor provides comfort is its implied history, imbued with character. Trees take time to grow, producing unique patina over the years.
It also lends texture in interior
decor, both physically and visually, which softens the aesthetic.
The Role of Wood Decor in Popular Housing Styles
The Craftsman-style home is one of the most popular at the moment. Homeowners love its down-to-earth appeal, and wood plays a big role in that.
The Craftsman style emerged in response to the austere, ornate aesthetic of the Victorian era. The focus in Craftsman interiors is on lots of wood details: paneling, beams, doorways, built-in benches and shelving, and intricately carved millwork.
The Farmhouse is also one of the top housing styles currently, and its aesthetic relies heavily on wood decor and accents as well.
In the Farmhouse style, reclaimed hardwood is used liberally, in exposed ceiling beams, as a fireplace mantel, and with railings and balustrades.
Natural wood cabinetry is prominent in Farmhouse design.
The Farmhouse uses a lot of painted wood accents as well, with beadboard and shiplap often used for details, or as a full accent wall.
Natural Wood Furniture
The appeal of wood furniture lies in its organic shapes and textures. It’s comfortable because it offers an authentically worn in, but not worn out, patina.
There is so much to choose from for every room in the home: sofas with natural wood arms, bed frames and headboards, shelving units, live-edge tables, slab-style coffee tables, and more.
“Furniture that features the organic shapes of natural wood, such as a beautiful tree stump or a tabletop crafted from a unique piece of live-edge lumber, can create a grounding atmosphere in our homes. The shape and material of these objects connect with the natural environment through biophilic design” says Barnard
It’s also appealing that wood furniture is generally more durable, making it an eco-friendly choice both from a material standpoint, and that it has greater longevity.
Add an extra textural layer to your aesthetic with warm, soft textiles along with your wood furniture, such as boucle, velvet or linen. Use accents such as upholstery, rugs, throw pillows and blankets, and window treatments.
Wood in the Kitchen
After years of all-white kitchens, color has made a big comeback, but homeowners may understandably be nervous about committing to big, bold colors.
Infusing warmth in the kitchen with wood tones, particularly with natural wood cabinetry, is a good way of bringing in subtle color.
Cabinetry is easily customizable, adding to the aesthetic impact.
“Custom features like routed cabinet handles minimize built-in intrusions, creating a clean profile highlighting the natural beauty of wood and emitting warmth throughout the room to evoke a sense of calm and comfort,” says Barnard.
If your goal is a hint of color, go for lighter woods, such as birch, maple or oak. If you want a more dramatic impact, select darker woods, such as cherry or mahogany.
When you are choosing natural wood for your kitchen cabinetry, don’t forget to arrange the grain to meet your aesthetic.
In contemporary kitchen style, grains are aligned, while a more rustic feel comes with mismatched grains.
Wood countertops are also a popular way to include warmth in the kitchen. Butcher block counters are trending and work well as an accent on a kitchen island. Be careful with water around the butcher block, a challenge in the kitchen, as it can cause discoloration and damage. Make sure countertops are well sealed, and dry moisture from the counter immediately.
How to Match Wood Tones
Remember, wood tones add color to a space, so you need to apply a strategy to blend and balance wood tones, in much the same way you approach color.
Choose wood tones that complement each other, by matching undertones.
For example, woods with warm undertones have a reddish hue, such as cherry or mahogany. Cooler undertones can be seen in maple and pine.
If you are going for contrast, pair warm and cool undertone woods, or for more dramatic contrast, go for dark woods against light woods.
Limit yourself to no more than two or three different wood tones in a room, as too many will diminish the impact.
Incorporating Wood Detail and Accents
“Wood paneling or wainscoting is a very effective way to create a warm and inviting environment,” says Barnard.
Shiplap, simple wood trim and beadboard are all popular paneling options. Some homeowners choose to leave the wood in its natural state, but this is a good spot to incorporate painted wood for decor drama, either on a half-wall design, or as a full accent wall.
Fluted wood details are appearing everywhere around the home, and add sleek style, along with warmth and visual texture. The slim profile of the reeded accents is simple and effective.
Look for fluting on cabinetry, furniture, kitchen islands, and accents, such as lamps. Also popular are full fluted wood-slat walls, which in addition to adding to the aesthetic, also offer soundproofing qualities, so are a good choice in a bedroom or a home office.
Consider creating a natural wood headboard that creates a striking focal point in the bedroom.
In the foyer, a wood-framed mirror and a solid wood console table offer a warm welcome.
Incorporate wood decor by displaying live-edge cutting or charcuterie boards, candle holders, bowls and plates in the kitchen or dining room.
