The use of natural materials in interior design is one of the brightest markers of not only good taste, but also a high level of income. These include wood, glass, brick, metal, ceramics, stone, textiles with quality composition.
There is no objective need to use natural materials in the interior now. Finishes, furniture, decor – all this can be made of polymers or even waste of basic industries, while the performance characteristics of things are sometimes not inferior to natural products.
But their appearance will be very different, as well as the service life. For example, even the most high-quality imitation wood is just an imitation, and the real wood it will resemble only from a distance, not to mention the tactile sensations. At the same time, a product made of chipboard, with a high probability, will lose its look in a few years, and wood will look noble and exquisite for decades.
The use of natural materials is more expensive compared to artificial finishing, but the result is worth it – the interior acquires a special gloss and unique atmosphere, whether it is a flat or a country house.
In which styles do natural finishes and décor look organically?
Regardless of the style, the use of natural materials is very decorative – this applies to all directions. Only materials everywhere will be different, in accordance with the design project. For example, in the Scandinavian style looks great wood and textiles, in the loft – brick and metal, in the classic – wood and forging.
In some styles, the use of such finishes is dictated by historical features. For example, in the loft, one of the key elements of the interior are brick walls. It is quite difficult to replace them with an imitation, as the quality of the finish will still be visible up close. Wallpaper, panels and other finishing options do not have enough texture and artistic expression inherent in brick, so their use will not be the most successful idea.
Eco design
In interior design there is a separate direction, the central part of which is ecology. It implies that all the items used to create such an interior are made taking into account the principles of caring for the environment. This applies both to the production of things and their operation. The entire life cycle of an object is thought out in such a way that it is at least safe, and at most – useful for the environment.
Synthetic products and finishes can decompose for centuries, while their lifespan is quite short – that’s why such materials are practically not used in eco-interiors. Usually almost everything in them is of natural origin – it is not only beautiful, but also very responsible towards the planet and ecology.
In eco-design, indoor plants are actively used. They can be arranged not only in pots. Even whole green panels and walls are created – it looks very stylish and interesting. In addition, the abundance of plants in the room creates a healthy microclimate and helps to make a personal contribution to improving the ecological situation.
Furniture used in eco-interiors is usually laconic and simple. The focus here is on the materials themselves rather than on form. In addition, the production of complex furniture requires more resources, which does not quite fit into the concept of sustainability.
One of the trends is the use of branches and parts of trees in the interior. Such details emphasise the connection with nature and act as bright interior accents. Decor compositions and furniture elements made of dry twigs perfectly match with walls of greenery and evoke associations directly related to the philosophy of eco-design – the cyclical nature of life, the need to preserve it, and the opportunity to do something useful right now.
How can natural materials be replaced?
Is it really necessary? The point of using such materials lies precisely in their origin. Imitation will still look different, and this distorts the whole meaning of the concept. If you want to use natural materials in the interior, but it does not fit into the budget – it is better to find an alternative solution, but do not try to create a copy of cheap artificial analogues.
For example, it was planned to install a natural stone worktop in the kitchen, but for financial reasons it could not be done. Here you may be tempted to replace the stone with an ordinary worktop with a similar pattern – you should not do this. It is better to choose a neutral pattern that matches the shade and style, but does not try to pass itself off as real stone.
Furniture
For the manufacture of furniture is used wood, textiles, metal. It is great if all these materials are natural – such furniture looks luxurious and it is very pleasant to use.
Furniture made of natural materials is rare nowadays, it is a piece product. If you want to create such an environment, you should involve professional designers – they will help you find what you need.
