How to bring timber into your home (and keep it modern)

Grainy, knotted, flawlessly flawed natural timber is as timeless as it gets in interior design. The wood furniture aesthetic can work just as well in a modern home as it does a farmhouse, a chic apartment, or a boho condo.

The secret to introducing timeless timber into an interior space is finding your own way to soften this traditionally masculine material. It is naturally tough, heavy, and unyieldingly solid, but it only takes a careful hand and a few discerning touches to take this sturdy element and make it a contemporary and flowing brushstroke in the artwork that is your home.

Try these tips to bring timber into your home in a way that feels as smooth as it does stylish.

Choose a point of consistency

Welcoming timber into the home has something in common with decorating with plant life – you will never stop at just one. In order to bring in many timber pieces seamlessly, from small items of décor to large timber furniture, you need to choose one point of consistency between them.

The obvious answer is to opt for the same timber in the same hue throughout the home, but this is rare and difficult to achieve. One alternative option is to choose items that have either the same warmth or the same coolness in the undertones. If the timber is largely red, orange, or yellow, it is within the warm family, whereas whites, blues, and greys suggest cooler undertones.

You can also use different timbers with the same stain or finish (such as shiny and smooth or matte), or timbers with the same texture.

This way, you can decorate with a variety of beautiful timbers, while still achieving a cohesive and flowing look.

A picture of cohesion: The beautiful natural Capri Dining Table is paired with the Ark Wishbone Chair, Saddle Stool and Lola Sideboard for a polished, flowing look across different timber pieces.

Introduce a natural colour palette

It doesn’t take an interior design degree to know that blazing hot pink might not be the best match for the natural hues and patterns of timber, but finding just the right collection of colours isn’t always easy.

When in doubt, move within a soft but warm colour palette that runs from dusty pinks and muted greys to subtle mustards, neutral browns, and deep olives, like so:

These tones work with natural timbers rather than against them, bringing out the warmth in the wood and allowing the knots and unique imperfections in the grain to shine.

A colour palette made for timber: Proving that timber and iron are a match made in heaven. The industrial aesthetic of the Hunter bed frame perfectly complements the walnut hues in the Hunter chest of drawers and Sierra Bench, while cool blues and greys add a calming, contemporary touch.

Opt for solid wood furniture

Solid hardwoods aren’t just timeless for their eternal style; they also endure as a result of their durability and strength. A timber dining table or a set of timber shelves is tougher than wood veneers, meaning they won’t just last longer, but they will hold onto their beauty longer, too.

Genuine hardwoods contribute an undeniable grace with their natural twists and knots in the wood. It means that every piece is unique, and the eye will subconsciously register the authentic beauty of each timber piece as it explores a room.

We can’t get enough of: The Lola Sideboard. This spectacular piece is designed to showcase the phenomenal natural beauty of Sheesham timber. It has a warm, rich tone, which can be seen clearly with its slatted plantation-style doors.

Soften the wood

With its heavy presence and tough exterior, timber naturally adds a traditionally masculine look to a space.

You can’t physically change the shape or style of the timber itself, but you can add organic touches and fluid shapes throughout the space to make the overall atmosphere feel softer, warmer, and more welcoming.

Look for loose lines in artworks, handmade ceramics, textured rugs, and fluid shapes and sleek silhouettes in your homewares. These items, placed artfully throughout the home and interlacing the timber coffee table or bench, will create a dynamic space that feels both soft and strong, yet also timeless.

A masterpiece of hard and soft: The unique Manhattan Desk is all about straight lines and strong Sheesham hardwood, but there’s nothing hard about the rounded curves of the artwork, smooth handmade ceramics, and elegant grey table lamp that give the space a stylish and feminine touch.

Looking to welcome the flawlessly flawed grains and knots of wood furniture into your home? Discover our Timeless Timber range now.