People are increasingly returning to natural materials in home design, driven by a growing awareness of their sustainability, profound health benefits, and timeless aesthetic appeal.

This shift represents a conscious move towards creating healthier, more environmentally responsible, and visually harmonious living spaces.

The Drive for Sustainability and Reduced Environmental Impact

The renewed focus on natural materials stems significantly from their inherent eco-friendliness and lower environmental footprint.

Historically, construction often utilized indigenous materials like wood and cork, which greatly reduced energy costs and environmental damage.

In stark contrast, the widespread adoption of global, highly processed materials such as cement, aluminum, concrete, and PVC has led to a considerable increase in energy consumption and environmental impact throughout the building sector.

The construction sector is responsible for 50% of natural resources used, 40% of energy consumed, and 50% of total waste generated. Building materials affect the environment across their entire life cycle, from raw material extraction and transformation to their eventual disposal as waste.

For example, the production of materials for one square meter of a standard building can involve energy equivalent to burning over 150 liters of gasoline, resulting in an average emission of 0.5 tons of carbon dioxide and 1,600 kWh of energy consumption. Materials like steel, cement, and ceramics show particularly high CO2 emissions during manufacturing.

Choosing natural options like wood, stone, bamboo, and cork is considered eco-friendly because they are renewable, biodegradable, and generally possess a lower carbon footprint compared to their synthetic counterparts.

The reduction of environmental impact in buildings involves using renewable or recycled materials from the biosphere, such as wood, animal or vegetable fibers, and natural paints, with a low level of industrial processing. This approach reduces the consumption of non-renewable energies and associated emissions because most of the energy associated with their production comes from the sun.

• Wood-based construction materials, especially those with minimal industrial processing, have a notably reduced environmental impact, with their carbon dioxide equivalent emissions being almost neutral. If sustainably harvested (meaning a new tree is planted for each one felled), structural wood in buildings can even act as a “CO2 storage” during the building’s lifespan, which can extend to 50 years or more, particularly if the wood is reused at the end of its life. This could be promoted by administrations by modifying building regulatory frameworks to favor wooden structures over conventional reinforced concrete, as wood also offers better fire resistance. Recycled wood also reduces the need for new tree harvesting.
• Natural insulation materials such as cork, wood fiber, and sheep wool also demonstrate a clearly superior environmental profile compared to conventional, highly processed insulations like polystyrene or polyurethane. Cork production itself is highly ecological, as it is extracted from trees every 10 years without causing damage, maintaining valuable ecosystems. Sheep’s wool, often considered a waste product, can be converted into a cheap and abundant raw material for thermal insulation, contributing to sustainable rural development.
• Natural stone’s renowned durability reduces the need for frequent replacements, conserving resources, and its thermal mass can improve a building’s energy efficiency. Stone is also highly recyclable, allowing it to be repurposed in new projects and minimizing waste, though recycling feasibility depends on local facilities and economic factors. Future innovations in its use are focusing on sustainable quarrying techniques that aim to reduce environmental impact through precision cutting and water recycling. While quarrying is energy-intensive and can disrupt ecosystems, its durability offsets the need for frequent replacements.
• Bamboo, a fast-growing and renewable resource, is gaining popularity for its strength and flexibility, as seen in projects like the Green School in Bali.
• Rammed earth construction, which involves compacting natural materials like chalk, clay, or lime, is eco-friendly and provides excellent insulation, keeping homes warm in winter and cool in summer.
• Straw bales are another renewable resource offering great insulation, significantly reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling.

There is a need to reconsider the current environmental crisis in construction, finding ways to rationally use materials without harming the environment, as current practices show a lack of priorities for recycling, reuse, and recovery of materials.

Enhancing Health and Well-being

Another compelling reason for this return is the significant positive impact natural materials have on human health and well-being. Given that people in the developed world spend approximately 90% of their time indoors, optimizing the indoor climate—including air quality, humidity, temperature, and material tactile qualities—is crucial.

An increasing body of evidence indicates that wood has beneficial effects across nearly all aspects of the indoor climate.

• Reduces Stress, Blood Pressure, and Heart Rate: Studies show that natural environments and wood help reduce stress and improve well-being. For example, adding plants or posters of plants in hospital waiting rooms reduced patient stress. A 2010 study found that students in wooden rooms had lower stress levels compared to rooms without wood. A 2019 study in a wooden waiting room at the National Oncology Institute in Bratislava showed visitors’ cortisol levels decreased by 7.5%, implying a stress-reducing effect, and they reported feeling satisfied or very satisfied. A one-year Austrian study of high-school students found those in wooden classrooms had significantly lower heart rates and a lower perception of stress compared to those in conventional classrooms. Other studies have also shown lower blood pressure and higher concentration levels in wooden schools.
• Fosters Creativity and Productivity: Wood grain as a texture positively influences creativity. A 2019 Slovakian study showed that simulated living room environments using warm and cold colors, and natural materials like wood and textiles, had the most positive effect on creativity, problem-solving capability, understanding, and thinking ability. Conversely, environments with strong colors, artificial wood imitations, and synthetic textiles triggered stress. An online survey of 1,000 Australian employees showed that those surrounded by wood were better able to focus, and their mood and productivity improved. With more visible wood surfaces, subjects reported clearer thinking and better problem-solving.
• Improves Attention and Reaction Times: Just a few minutes of looking at a natural environment can have significant benefits. A 2014 study found participants had faster reaction times and lower heart rate variability after looking at a natural environment compared to an urban one. A 2015 study tested people in spaces made from CLT (cross-laminated timber), clay, steel, and steel retrofitted with clay elements, finding that those in CLT and clay spaces had better attention and reaction times, and evaluated their well-being higher than in the steel container.
• Promotes a Better Mood and Positive Associations: Most people feel that wood creates a sense of warmth. Its smell, touch, and feel are regarded as pleasant, and many have generally positive associations with wood, as per a 2017 study. Natural and smooth wooden surfaces were found more pleasant than coated ones in a Finnish study. Even short exposure to a natural environment has a positive effect on mood.
• Exhibits Antiviral Properties: Coronaviruses (SARS-CoV-2) applied to wooden surfaces replicate for only 12 hours, significantly less than on plastic, stainless steel, glass, or masonry (up to 96 hours). However, fresh contamination still poses a risk, and applicable hygiene regulations should be followed.
• Potentially Strengthens the Immune System: Exposure to the forest environment and essential oils from trees can enhance human natural killer (NK) cell activity, which is an indicator of a strengthened immune system. A Japanese study exposed test persons to essential oils from the Hinoki cypress tree via a humidifier for three nights, resulting in a significant increase in NK activity.
• Improves Indoor Air Quality: Wood-based materials can reduce the amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from interior spaces by adsorbing at least 50% of these compounds from materials like MDF, OSB, and particle board. VOCs can be bad for health and are often ten times higher indoors than outdoors.
• Maintains Stable Air Humidity: Wood paneling can help maintain ideal air humidity levels (40%-70% relative humidity) through moisture buffering, which minimizes allergies, respiratory infections, and the spread of bacteria and viruses. A study showed that air humidity fluctuation was reduced by up to 70% in a room with untreated flat cladding boards compared to gypsum plaster.

Other natural materials also contribute to a healthier indoor environment. Clay plasters, for instance, can regulate indoor humidity, which is beneficial for individuals with allergies or respiratory problems. Cork floors offer comfort underfoot due to their softness and reduce noise pollution.

Incorporating plants and greenery into indoor spaces not only enhances aesthetic appeal but also improves air quality and creates a calming atmosphere, acting as natural humidifiers and air purifiers. This deep connection to nature aligns with biophilic design, which emphasizes our innate desire to connect with the natural environment, leading to improved cognitive function and overall well-being.

Timeless Aesthetic Appeal and Versatility

Lastly, the enduring beauty and versatility of natural materials make them highly desirable in modern home design. Unlike many man-made patterns or materials that can quickly fall out of fashion, the enduring charm of wood, stone, and other natural elements ensures they remain stylish over time.

These materials bring warmth and an inviting atmosphere to any space. They engage multiple senses through their natural shapes, untreated surfaces, and unaltered odors, creating a grounding effect, especially with warm color palettes of browns and greens.

Natural materials adapt seamlessly to diverse design preferences, from rustic charm to urban chic, and are central to popular styles like Japandi and Lagom.

• Japandi is a fusion of Scandinavian “hygge” and Japanese minimalism, focusing on natural materials like light and dark wood, glass, or filigree black metal combined with natural stone.
• The Swedish Lagom lifestyle trend aims for “just the right amount,” emphasizing harmony with oneself and the environment, where natural materials play an important role due to sustainability considerations.
• Stone, with its unique colors, textures, and patterns, lends elegance and sophistication, fitting seamlessly into both classic and contemporary architectural styles. Its ability to be tailored in terms of size, shape, finish, and detailing offers architectural flexibility.
• Beyond fixed structures, incorporating natural light is a key biophilic principle, as it maximizes our connection to nature, supports vitamin D production, and boosts mood and energy levels.
• Using natural color schemes, such as leafy greens, sky blues, or earth tones, can soothe the eyes and create peaceful environments.
• The integration of plants and greenery not only enhances aesthetic appeal but also improves indoor air quality. This can range from potted plants and vertical gardens to more innovative moss walls and living walls. Modern technology, like LED grow lights and automated watering systems, supports indoor gardens and living walls, bringing literal life into spaces and acting as natural humidifiers and air purifiers.
• Even art and photography depicting natural scenes can strengthen a home’s connection to the outdoors, fostering positive vibes.

Incorporating natural elements can be done gradually, even with just a couple of accessories, to bring warmth into a space, such as baskets, glass containers with natural branches, or fruit bowls made of untreated wood or rattan. Items found in nature like bark, stones, branches, twigs, mosses, and grasses can also be used as decor.