Decorating with wood – 10 of the best ideas
From original beams and plywood walls to antique and junk-shop finds, we show you how to bring wood into your home. Find more decorating ideas at housetohome.co.uk
Versatile and beautiful, wood is one of the most widely used materials in the home. No matter what the style of your interiors – staunchly traditional or ultra contemporary – chances are a good proportion of your furniture is wood, be it solid, veneered or painted. Wood can also be the material of choice for walls. So of the moment, the downfall is the high maintenance, especially if used in a busy kitchen. Be sure to maintain this glorious facade with oil or wax. Here, a palette of wood, leather and marble accented with artisan pieces and pops of colour offers a modern approach to blending the natural and hand-made.
Similar pitcher
Ferm Living
1/10 Artwork
Kai Samuels-Davis at The Cold Press
2/10 Living room with salvaged wood furniture
The cabinet, side table and sofa stand in this living room were created from wood found in a salvage yard. Furniture, as shown here, can be made from pieces of solid wood joined together. Don't be discouraged when sourcing salvaged wood - even when damaged, wood can often be restored to its former glory, so you can make the most of auction room acquisitions or junk-shop finds. Any dents and scratches become part of the patina of age or, if preferred, can be sanded down and refinished. The backdrop of soft white walls gives the room a restful and tranquil feel.
Similar furniture
The Real Wood Furniture Co
3/10 Living room with museum frames feature
Mid-century flair meets contemporary craft in this characterful living room. With their pinched waists, these elegant stools echo the silhouette of Dior's New Look. And a low-slung oak sofa always adds a louche line. Oak is one of the most popular choices for furniture (solid and veneer). It is durable with an attractive grain and less susceptible to damage from sunlight than other woods, making it a great choice. And what's not to love about this unique feature wall? Made from wooden crates and oak frames that have been glued together for a contemporary take on art.
Sofa
Another Country
Stools
Heal's
4/10 Hallway with zebrano wood
This hallway is part of a kitchen extension built to let in light via the large window. Zebrano wood panelling covering the walls and ceiling creates a cocoon-like feel. A window seat provides the perfect view of both the inside and outside, and the striped look of zebrano adds warmth. Teaming it with white creates a very modern look.
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
Zebrano wood
Vincent Timber
5/10 Kitchen with log-pile wall
Wooden logs contrast beautifully against the crisp, white walls and contemporary artwork. Despite being a simple idea, the space between the beams filled with chopped logs, is an eye-catching focal point and ensures the log fire will always be easy to top up.
Similar basket
Laura Ashley
6/10 Home office with wood panelled wall
There are myriad reasons why wood has been the material of choice for the home for millennia. It has strength, resilience, natural beauty and adaptability. In the right circumstance, it adds equal measures of warmth and drama. Traditional wall panelling - once a 17th-century dining room staple - is repurposed here in this rustic home office to add to the cosy garden-room feeling.
Similar table
The Old Cinema
Rug
Labour and Wait
7/10 Kids’ room with wood accessories
Embrace the more mature look for your kids' room, especially when thinking about longevity. While slick, this room is still playful and will take them well into their teens. The sleigh-style bed and giant puzzles mean they might even fancy an early night. Made from birch plywood and veneer, the bed brings a Scandinavian feel that is then enhanced by the use of glass and polished woods and softened with cow hide rugs. Every touch is thoughtful and the main elements (bed, flooring) are extremely durable, making them ideal for a child's room.
Bunk bed
iokidsdesign.co.uk
Bed set
Nordic Elements
8/10 Bedroom with plywood wall
Wood makes such an unexpected statement when it is used across a whole wall - think panelling or tongue-and-groove. But apply the look in a bedroom via smooth panels of ply and you'll get a whole new neutral in an original take on the wooden wall. Softer than the softest white; warmer than the warmest grey, wood has a covetable look all its own.
Similar marine plywood
Robbins Timber
9/10 Kitchen with original wood beams
Original beams frame this kitchen area beautifully, adding warmth and texture to the white and modern scheme. The flagstone flooring helps tie the look together, while a double-bowl farmhouse sink is ideal for a busy kitchen. The iroko worktops are naturally resilient to water and stains. Remember to regularly treat your wooden fixtures to keep them in tip-top condition. With a water-resistant finish, such as oil or wax, you can have worktops that will last a lifetime. Now what's for dinner?
Worktop
Harvey Jones
Flagstones
Stone Tile Co
10/10 Bathroom with teak bath
Teak has long been favoured for furniture. As an oily wood, it is naturally water resistant so it works well in wet areas. In this bathroom, the teak veneer has been coated with a polyurethane lacquer for extra protection. Its uniform colour gives consistent results, but don't forget to regularly oil your teak furniture. Easy to apply and maintain, oil offers durable qualities and will nourish the wood.
Similar bath
Wooden Baths
Similar blinds
Apollo Blinds
Tamara was Ideal Home's Digital Editor before joining the Woman & Home team in 2022. She has spent the last 15 years working with the style teams at Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home, both now at Future PLC. It’s with these award wining interiors teams that she's honed her skills and passion for shopping, styling and writing. Tamara is always ahead of the curve when it comes to interiors trends – and is great at seeking out designer dupes on the high street.
-
What is a proving drawer? Kitchen experts explain whether you really need one - even if you're not a star baker
This nice-to-have piece of kitchen tech will have you winning Bread Week from the comfort of your own home
By Holly Cockburn
-
Can I use a patio heater under a pergola or gazebo? Yes, but these are the things experts want you to know first
It's possible, but you need to take some precautions
By Lauren Bradbury
-
Experts reveal running your washing machine at this time can save on your energy bills - but it all depends on your tariff
Did you know certain times of the day are cheaper than others?
By Kezia Reynolds