Decorating
Trending Now: Wonderful Wood
See the newest projects Houzzers are uploading and gain a snapshot of the UK and Ireland’s most popular trends right now
Houzz is the perfect place to get inside knowledge on the latest interiors trends. You can search industry-fresh images by clicking on the Photos tab on the homepage, then simply filter by Newly Featured, select the country you’re interested in, maybe even the room, too, and see all the latest projects appear before your eyes.
So, which trend is taking centre stage this week? It’s timeless wood – a simple, natural material that has an abundance of uses. You can do so much with it, so why not find a stylish use for it in your home? Here are just a few ideas for making wood work.
So, which trend is taking centre stage this week? It’s timeless wood – a simple, natural material that has an abundance of uses. You can do so much with it, so why not find a stylish use for it in your home? Here are just a few ideas for making wood work.
…or your bed
There are all sorts of ways to use reclaimed wood all over the house. Look how this pared-back bedroom is made instantly cosy through that battered, solid wood bed frame – yet more inspiration to ‘rough up’ a sparse, clean-lined space with some pre-loved timber. The worn, scratched look not only contrasts with the smooth lines of the room, but adds a homely glow.
Again, don’t feel your woods need to match – just like shades of grey, one wood usually complements another in close proximity. Here, the pale, Scandi-style panelling on the balcony and the smooth floor rub along happily with the bed frame.
There are all sorts of ways to use reclaimed wood all over the house. Look how this pared-back bedroom is made instantly cosy through that battered, solid wood bed frame – yet more inspiration to ‘rough up’ a sparse, clean-lined space with some pre-loved timber. The worn, scratched look not only contrasts with the smooth lines of the room, but adds a homely glow.
Again, don’t feel your woods need to match – just like shades of grey, one wood usually complements another in close proximity. Here, the pale, Scandi-style panelling on the balcony and the smooth floor rub along happily with the bed frame.
Channel the traditional
Wood panelling is a timeless classic that works in most rooms. Tapping into this timber trend in the form of simple tongue-and-groove panelling is a shortcut to creating a cosy, country-style bathroom, if that’s the look you’re going for. And whichever shade you choose to paint it, your bathroom will have instant character.
For a modern space, you could choose flat-edged panels and consider running them – in a break with tradition – horizontally.
Wood panelling works for contemporary and period interiors alike. Read a beginner’s guide
Wood panelling is a timeless classic that works in most rooms. Tapping into this timber trend in the form of simple tongue-and-groove panelling is a shortcut to creating a cosy, country-style bathroom, if that’s the look you’re going for. And whichever shade you choose to paint it, your bathroom will have instant character.
For a modern space, you could choose flat-edged panels and consider running them – in a break with tradition – horizontally.
Wood panelling works for contemporary and period interiors alike. Read a beginner’s guide
Mix surfaces
This renovated miner’s cottage kitchen has a mix of solid wood ceiling beams and chipboard, which creates an interesting textural effect and reflects the old-meets-new renovation style.
Two other prominent wood surfaces here – the wonderfully weathered island worktop and its distressed, green-painted legs – add extra layers of texture.
Should you require a colour change on a piece like this, the base could, in theory, be given a fresh lick, using chalky paints rubbed down and waxed, a technique designed to achieve an antique effect. However, you would lose those hard-to-fake scuffs. It’s best to accept the colour and let your antique proudly lead the style for the rest of the room.
Take a look at some of the cosiest kitchens on Houzz
This renovated miner’s cottage kitchen has a mix of solid wood ceiling beams and chipboard, which creates an interesting textural effect and reflects the old-meets-new renovation style.
Two other prominent wood surfaces here – the wonderfully weathered island worktop and its distressed, green-painted legs – add extra layers of texture.
Should you require a colour change on a piece like this, the base could, in theory, be given a fresh lick, using chalky paints rubbed down and waxed, a technique designed to achieve an antique effect. However, you would lose those hard-to-fake scuffs. It’s best to accept the colour and let your antique proudly lead the style for the rest of the room.
Take a look at some of the cosiest kitchens on Houzz
Use wood to impart warmth
Room feeling a bit chilly on the eye? Add some wood!
The dominant feature in this room, which is part of a flat in London’s iconic Trellick Tower, is probably the wraparound concrete wall and ceiling. But setting this industrial surface off against the multiple warm wooden tones in the room – the textured herringbone flooring, midcentury-style sideboard and solid wood dining table – allows the space to be cosy, rather than harsh. Leafy greenery and a soft rug complete the effect, making for a welcoming space.
Inspired? Here are 10 cosy ideas for winter rugs
Room feeling a bit chilly on the eye? Add some wood!
The dominant feature in this room, which is part of a flat in London’s iconic Trellick Tower, is probably the wraparound concrete wall and ceiling. But setting this industrial surface off against the multiple warm wooden tones in the room – the textured herringbone flooring, midcentury-style sideboard and solid wood dining table – allows the space to be cosy, rather than harsh. Leafy greenery and a soft rug complete the effect, making for a welcoming space.
Inspired? Here are 10 cosy ideas for winter rugs
Keep it classy
The thin, vertical strips cladding the underside of this bar give the space a real luxe look, especially when paired with a gold foot bar and metallic worktop.
It’s an idea that could also be adapted for a statement kitchen island.
The thin, vertical strips cladding the underside of this bar give the space a real luxe look, especially when paired with a gold foot bar and metallic worktop.
It’s an idea that could also be adapted for a statement kitchen island.
Focus on simplicity
Perfectly pared-back kitchens are hugely popular, and show no signs of leaving us anytime soon. This kitchen is the height of minimalism, with smooth lines and sparse, well-spaced wall storage.
The bare, pale wood worktop, however, mixed with the slightly darker, thick wooden stools, really warms the space, whisking away any risk of minimal equalling clinical.
Perfectly pared-back kitchens are hugely popular, and show no signs of leaving us anytime soon. This kitchen is the height of minimalism, with smooth lines and sparse, well-spaced wall storage.
The bare, pale wood worktop, however, mixed with the slightly darker, thick wooden stools, really warms the space, whisking away any risk of minimal equalling clinical.
Adorn your exterior
If you’re planning an extension or garden room, why not opt for wood over a brick finish? Timber cladding not only looks beautiful, but provides a striking contrast to any existing brick or render. It also weathers well, which only adds more characterful charm to your home.
Get expert advice on choosing the exterior material for your extension
If you’re planning an extension or garden room, why not opt for wood over a brick finish? Timber cladding not only looks beautiful, but provides a striking contrast to any existing brick or render. It also weathers well, which only adds more characterful charm to your home.
Get expert advice on choosing the exterior material for your extension
Go low
This crisp, clean bathroom is high luxe but no fuss. Large tiles and a statement marble basin keep the space looking minimalist, but the wooden slatted shelf gently breaks up the pale surface, while also adding a calming spa feel (it doesn’t take much slatted, warm-hued wood to conjure up images of a sauna).
Adding a low-level shelf like this not only creates an interesting design detail, but also means your storage feels less obtrusive than it might at a more prominent level.
This crisp, clean bathroom is high luxe but no fuss. Large tiles and a statement marble basin keep the space looking minimalist, but the wooden slatted shelf gently breaks up the pale surface, while also adding a calming spa feel (it doesn’t take much slatted, warm-hued wood to conjure up images of a sauna).
Adding a low-level shelf like this not only creates an interesting design detail, but also means your storage feels less obtrusive than it might at a more prominent level.
Let solid wood shine
This trend isn’t just about second-hand wood – timber can work in even the most modern of spaces. This colourful kitchen incorporates a sliver of wood, which functions as a breakfast bar.
Although the room is filled with bold colours, the wooden bar almost becomes the key feature of this minimalist space. A good cut of well-polished, solid wood will always go a long way.
Have you worked the wood trend in your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
This trend isn’t just about second-hand wood – timber can work in even the most modern of spaces. This colourful kitchen incorporates a sliver of wood, which functions as a breakfast bar.
Although the room is filled with bold colours, the wooden bar almost becomes the key feature of this minimalist space. A good cut of well-polished, solid wood will always go a long way.
Have you worked the wood trend in your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
A well-worn wooden dining table instantly imbues a space with warmth and character: that wood has history, after all. Combine yours with a variety of wooden chairs in different finishes to enhance the effect. Here, the mix of beautifully scuffed old church chairs, complete with Bible holders, a couple of classic bentwoods and the curved rattan numbers makes for an inviting seating area.
The black metal legs and painted bentwoods echo the Crittall-style windows, while the warm orange tones from the tabletop and chairs soften the industrial feel of the exposed brick wall that continues into the garden.
If you can’t find a table that’s the right size or price, consider sourcing reclaimed wood – old scaffolding planks are a good option – and buying a set of legs or a base online. There are heaps of styles available, from painted turned wood to all sorts of metallic designs, like these ones. It’s a basic DIY job, or a small job for a professional.