Wood is the most natural material you can incorporate into your home. If you're looking to upgrade your interior and bring some freshness to it, then you should do it by bringing nature inside. Wood gives a timeless and relaxing vibe to the space. Your house will feel welcoming, inviting and warmer.
Install Wooden Doors
A house’s internal doors are one of the most underrated features. We don’t tend to notice them as much as we do other things. They're just an everyday part of our lives. However, doors can have a very dramatic effect on the entire interior design. Nowadays you have plenty of choices from the wide variety of internal wooden doors on the market.
Choosing the right one requires a lot of attention and thought. You should think about style, colour, design, soundproofing, material and door swing. The style of the door can make or break the whole space. You can mix and match some styles a bit but don’t overdo it. And keep the room’s size in mind. Because a large, ornate door will overwhelm a small room.
There's a left and a right-door swing. You make this decision based on the positioning of the door and furniture placement. Also, make sure no doors open into a hall or a corridor. The door’s framing can also make a big difference. Doing it incorrectly can damage the door and lower the house’s value. So, if you can’t do it on your own, hire professionals.
STC (sound transmission class) ratings for internal doors indicate how much sound is lost through them. The less sound that passes through the door, the higher the STC rating. This depends on the material the door is made of. In general, 25 on the scale is low and you can hear normal speech through it. 40 is the middle ground, and 60 is almost completely soundproof.
There are many types of doors you can choose from:
- Sliding;
- Pocket;
- Folding;
- Flush;
- Barn;
- Panel;
- French;
- Dutch;
- Blind.
Solid wood is the best material for an inside door because it’s one of the most durable materials. But besides the guarantee that the door will last for many years to come, you’ll get a beautiful, timeless look inside the house that no other material can give you. From the lightest oak to the darkest maple and pine, you have many, many choices.
Make a Whole Wall Panel
This is the year when accent walls have become very popular. Now, you can use wood to create a wall like that and elevate the look of the space. The simplicity and natural look make it very appealing. These walls can be your DIY project if you enjoy doing things on your own. It's not a complicated process. You just need to have the right tools.
You won’t spend thousands of dollars, but you’ll get that soft, natural, inspiring look inside your living or dining room. A wall like this can also make the space more luxurious and give the people who come in a welcoming feel. You can do as many walls as you want, there’s no limit. You can even do the ceiling. It all depends on your personal preference.
Swap the Furniture
Using wooden furniture is one of the simplest methods to give your home an elegant appearance. It adds a timeless, classic look to the space that no other material can do. You can even match it with the internal wooden doors. This includes everything, tables, chairs, cupboards, cabinets, coffee tables etc.
Thanks to all of its good features, homeowners often choose wood to remodel their homes. A big oak dining table and matching chairs can make you feel incredible every time you sit to have a meal. A wooden storage cabinet in the hallway will add a touch of magic to the space. Even adding wooden frames to the mirrors can make a difference.
Change the Kitchen Cabinets
If your kitchen cabinets are ready to be changed, replace them with high-quality wood. Its durability and fine finish will guarantee you a beautiful kitchen. You can go with as light or as dark wood as you want. Some of the most popular choices are oak, pine, cherry, hickory and maple. Some of them are pricier than others, so your budget can make a difference.
Updating the Kitchen Counter
Upgrading the kitchen counter from marble or stone to wood can be a big upgrade. A lot of homeowners turn to butcher block countertops. Of course, take this material into consideration only if the surface is away from the cooking area. If you have an island or a bar, the butcher block counter will be a great choice. It'll add a warm, rustic feel to the space. Plus, it’s cheaper than marble or quartz.
Extra Storage Space
Adding custom storage space around the house is another way to incorporate wood. You can add this storage inside the living room, hallway, bedroom, kitchen, dining room and even in the bathroom. There are so many options you can choose from. Always go for something unique, something that will stand out. You can go elegant, rustic, classical or even a bit eccentric.
Adding custom-made storage space will let you play with size, capacity, colour and design. You can choose an open-shelf design to show off your decorative plates, closed cabinets for the pots and pans, glass doors for the living room and floor-to-ceiling storage for your bedroom. You can match the colours with the window frames or even the interior doors.
Wooden Beams, Posts and Mantels
In an open-concept area, posts are excellent for creating a certain room division, while wood beams can boost the beauty of the ceiling. If you have one structural beam that you can’t get rid of, tunning all across the room you can simply wrap it in reclaimed wood. This will add a new flare to the beam and make it look pretty, instead of just being a beam in the way.
If you don’t want to spend a lot of money on reclaimed wood or lumber, you can always repaint the beams and posts. Choose a colour you like and start painting. Just make sure you sand the area first and use the right type of paint. Mantles are also a good way to incorporate wood into the space. They'll make you feel cosy and have the power to add character to the space.