Why natural materials are making an interior design come back

The Japanese art of finding beauty in imperfection, wabi-sabi, encourages us to appreciate that nothing is truly perfect. Kitchen designers in Australia have started to adopt a similar approach, by embracing natural materials.

Instead of aiming for perfection, interiors are incorporating the warmth of timber, the texture of stone, and the character of fireclay. And we believe this is just the beginning. 

Why go natural?

New homes in Australia often lack character – they’re sterile, bland, and mass produced. The trend towards natural materials is a response to that. If used correctly timber, stone, ceramic and other natural materials can add character, texture and warmth to your home. 

These materials are great everywhere but we’d argue they have the biggest impact in your kitchen and bathrooms. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at the benefits of a few select natural materials, and how to use them. 

Fireclay 

Fireclay is a type of ceramic that’s fired at much higher temperatures than usual. This means that straighter lines and more defined silhouettes can be created, and that the end material is more durable and heat resistant. 

Chambord from France are one of the most prolific manufacturers using fireclay. Kitchen sinks such as the CHARLES Bowl & Three Quarter ooze heritage character and elegance – and are incredibly practical. 

Timber

Timber’s one of the oldest building materials in the world, and we can see why it’s still popular. Including timber in kitchen cabinetry, benchtops, bathroom vanities and interior cladding is a great way to add warmth and texture to your spaces. 

It’s sustainable, cost-efficient and quick to build with – making custom cabinetry possible. Being a natural material, it also doesn’t contain any toxins or pollutants, so it doesn’t worsen indoor air quality like many other materials. 

Stone

Stone is best used on kitchen benchtops and bathroom basins. Why? It’s incredibly durable and difficult to scratch, so it’ll last and look great for ages. It’s also incredibly easy to maintain – a quick wipe every now and then is all that’s required. 

Last but not least, stone is an incredibly durable material. There are several different types of stone, from quartz, and granite, to marble and natural stone. These all have different looks, and unique properties, making it easy to find a type of stone that suits your preferences. 

Ready to get inspired? 

Before making any decisions around your choice of natural materials, it’s a good idea to browse fittings and fixtures in person and chat to a kitchen design expert. You can do all that at your nearest Abey Showroom.