The natural look has taken the interior design world by storm – check out any #homedécor Instagram feed for proof. Rattan furniture, bamboo bedding, stone accents, and wool carpets and rugs are popping up in homes across the globe, be it a humble bungalow in Raglan, a bohemian villa in Byron Bay or a beachfront McMansion in Malibu.
Choosing natural fibres and materials over synthetic has many benefits. Natural fibres tend to last longer and biodegrade naturally, meaning they have less of an adverse effect on the environment. Fibres such as wool are also flame-resistant, thus providing a safer option for flooring and furnishings in your family home. In comparison to synthetic fibres, natural materials are also more breathable, thermoregulating and – in the case of wool – can cleanse and purify the air in your indoor environment.
So, how can you bring the outside into your own home? We've whipped up some suggestions for you below.
1. Choose wool for carpets and rugs
When it comes to natural fibres, wool is a superpower. It's is made up of complex natural properties enabling it to purify the air, absorb moisture, repel sweat, resist flames, thermoregulate your home and block unwanted noise. All this and it’s naturally biodegradable! When you choose wool for carpets and rugs in your home, you’re not only creating a luxurious, cosy aesthetic – you’re helping make your home a healthier one.
2. Use baskets instead of plastic boxes
The world currently has a real plastic problem on its hands. Thankfully, with so many brilliant natural fibres now available for our homes, there’s no excuse to fill your environment with plastic. Rattan, wicker or seagrass baskets make an aesthetically-pleasing, practical alternative to plastic storage boxes in your living room, bathroom, pantry and cupboards. Sturdy baskets also make a great alternative to plastic pots for indoor plants.
3. Create an indoor jungle.
Indoor plants are having a moment. Bring some of the outside world into your home with ferns, philodendrons, fiddle leaf fig trees and spider plants. Mix it up with a variety of hanging and floor-based pots. Lacking a green thumb? Go for hard-to-kill plant species such as succulents and cacti.
4. Think outside the box when it comes to fabrics.
Look for brands and designers that use cotton, linen, wool, hemp, silk or jute to make soft furnishings, bedding, curtains and even clothing. As a society, we've become accustomed to purchasing goods made from synthetic fabrics – many of which contain toxic microbeads of plastic within their fibres.
Choosing wool, hemp or linen will give your home a natural, raw yet luxurious aesthetic and – bonus! – won't pollute the environment.
You can breathe easy knowing you have chosen natural fibres and materials to make your home a healthier one.
