The home décor materials you choose for your home décoration can make or break a house’s ambience and overall aesthetics. And as we all know, home decor is the most important element; you must plan it carefully while decorating your spaces. Adding the ‘YOU’ factor expresses your unique sense of style and aesthetics that will differentiate your space from everyone else’s.
Every home décor material and object that goes in might come from very different places, but in the end, it should have a sense of unity that ties them together. Thus, it is important to give it the most care and consideration right from the ideation stage. The unique home décor materials that adorn the space assists in accomplishing the mission of creating a one-of-a-kind space.
Every material can be associated with a certain theme that, when combined with other elements in a space, depicts certain aesthetics. Similar to how wooden textures and materials are associated mostly with country-style, materials of all kinds play an important role in expressing the intent and ambience of the space. Here are some that you can take up to add to your home.
What Embodies the Decor of a Home?
Home décor refers to the elements that make the space resonate with its purpose in a functional yet aesthetic manner. This would include the furnishings that will serve the purpose the space has been designed for, featured material, objects, and surfaces that will add to the feel of the spaces and a complimenting combination that follows all things.
Without the interior décor, the space would be a meaningless blank canvas. Home décor is a way of relating space to a name and giving it purpose. Each surface in an interior space contributes to the same as well.
In case you want some home décor inspirations, click on –
The interior décor should be an amalgamation of textures and colours that bring out the uniqueness of the space. It is best executed with home décor materials from a wide spectrum, and that spectrum is constantly challenged with new decorative materials for home. Having a sense of what is new gives us the upper hand in curating spaces that are different from the regular and the mundane.
Lending a helping hand in the same, we have curated a list of unique home décor materials that are fresh to the eye and can grab the attention of the viewers. From textures that were once a hit and are now slowly being revived, to newer technological advances that bring in light in a unique way, you will be able to select a completely new layout with them.
Embracing 16 Fresh and Best Home Décor Materials to Curate any Space
Followings are the best home décor materials –
- Old-world Ceramic
- Rustic with Mycelium
- Composite Boards
- Redefining Parchment: Unique Home Décor Material
- Timbercrete
- Cork Sheets
- Shagreen: Decoration Material for Home
- Light as Carbon
- Home Décor From Recycled Materials
- Live Wooden Edges
- Oxidized Metals
- Luminous Textile
- Steel Enamel: Best Home Décor Material
- Jesmonite: An Exclusive Home Décor Material
- Vibrant Green Corner
Let’s have a detailed look at fresh and unique home décor materials –
01. Old-World Ceramic
Ceramics is an ancient art form that has adorned the interiors of several households. It ranges in use from being a showpiece, a pot or a holder to being used as a popular tiling option for kitchens and feature walls. The unique colour and glaze of ceramic can accentuate any room that it is included in.
There are three types of ceramics available. They are earthenware, stoneware, and porcelain. While earthenware and stoneware give a more natural appeal to the plates, porcelain comes in a varied number of eclectic designs. Depending on whether you are going for an earthy-toned setting or a colourful one, you can choose the ceramics accordingly.
Ceramic tiles look the best in a rustic interior setting. It gives out an old-world charm as well when used in intricate patterns that remind one of the Moroccan designs. A traditional aesthetic hits homes when it comes to bringing in a certain aesthetic to the space.
Cost: $3.99/Sq.ft. to $9.99/Sq.ft.
If you like Moroccan design, then you must read Gharpedia’s blog on Arabian Interior Design Ideas, which are a rich combination of the Moroccan, Islamic and Mediterranean styles.
02. Rustic with Mycelium
Mycelium is an organic fibrous material that is made of a fungus that is durable, mould-resistant, and offers great strength and fire resistance. It can be used as a composite board substituting MDF, as it does not give out harmful formaldehyde during its production.
It can also be used for furniture, which can be easily reused in the future. It was used initially by designer Sebastian Cox as Suede-like textured lights and stools. This furniture also had an addition of scrap-willow wood to complete the piece. Its sustainability aspect would be the main reason to take it forward and explore its various possibilities.
Due to its rustic and raw texture and colour, this material and the furniture made out of it would fit right in an industrial-inspired theme. A décor that includes metals and rustic browns and beige tones with the raw aspect of the style will elevate this new texture even further.
Cost: $1/lb
03. Composite Boards
The composite board is the sustainable home décor material. Engineered from the trees, the composite boards prove to be a sustainable way of incorporating wooden textures into the interior decor. This way, we get to protect the forests and preserve the exhaustible plant life that we are surrounded by.
Being weather-resistant, rot-resistant, durable, and easy to maintain with low water absorption, this becomes an easy-going and environment-friendly decoration material for home. It is widely used to replace joists and beams, flooring, cladding, window and door frameworks, etc.
It is an easy way of incorporating an eco-friendly material without the heart of the same. The earthy and natural texture goes well with a farmhouse or a country house setting.
Cost: $30/sq.ft. – $60/sq.ft.
Want to know about country style décor, click on the below link –
04. Redefining Parchment: Unique Home Décor Material
Related to the paper industry, parchment is a product of animal skin. With the surge of neutral colour palettes and lighter interior decors, the parchment becomes a key material that accentuates it. With a light and sleek finish, it is used in classic high-end furniture too.
It is applied as a textured finish once it is processed under tension. Being on the lighter side, it becomes an apt material for lampshades and partitions, while being used for other purposes like doors desks, and wall panelling.
We have also written on some amazing materials for wall panels for your room décor.
Giving a sense of nostalgia to any space, parchment can be used as a part of a modern and classy home as well as one that is set in a mid-century aesthetic. A light colour palette will go perfect with the beige popping.
05. Timbercrete
The timbercrete is also a sustainable decorative material for home. It is a combination of sawmill waste, cement, sand, binders, and a non-toxic deflocculation additive. This combination is later cured using heat from the sun and wind transforming into any given shape and size for the variety of purposes it can be applied.
With research that backs up its longevity, this decorative material for home is light and provides the best thermal insulation. It stores carbon within itself, thus becoming an eco-friendly material to work with. Its versatility in use renders it to be used during construction as a cladding material for the interior, exterior as well as for landscaping details such as fences.
Cost: $0.19/sq.ft.
06. Cork Sheets
The cork sheets are one the best sustainable home décor materials. They are made from the outer layer of the bark of the cork oak. This layer is porous and taken out every 9-12 years for processing to form various types of materials.
They are extremely light because of the air trapped in them and thus can be used as flooring and wall panels. Its unique composition also gives it a smooth textured yet coarse finish look, that stands out in the space it is used.
Being versatile and sustainable home décor material, crock sheet can also be used as a furniture material. The textured yet uniform surface of the material forms a perfect addition to a vintage aesthetic that follows many wooden accents. Mid-century can also be a style explored in the same.
It ranges in use from flooring, roofing panels, furniture, bulletin boards etc. The seamless texture of the cork sheets can be used as a feature wall in rooms and will go with a mid-century and modern aesthetic. Thus, it can give a sense of the past as well as the present.
Cost: $0.26/sq.ft.
We have written a detailed article on cork sheets, go through the below link to know more –
07. Shagreen: Decoration Material for Home
A shagreen is made from shark skin, it gained popularity as a decoration material for home during the 1970s. The rubble-like texture of the skin gives the surface a dual-toned finish that can be used near a wet area like the bathroom. This rough, granular texture is taken as an advantage to be used as leather, which can then be used on book bindings, cases, hilts and scabbards for swords and daggers.
Although its slippery nature is a disadvantage, this robust-looking material is said to have the capacity to withstand rough handling too. Thus, it was also known to be used on large furniture.
With an essence of 18th-century aesthetics mixed in with modernity, these were predominantly used as furniture materials, decorative elements for small tables etc. It can be applied to a variety of surfaces, including furniture, tablecloths, and curtains. While the material can also be dyed to other colours, the original shade of the material, if well preserved, can be a lovely retro addition to your home.
Cost: $6/sq.ft.
08. Light as Carbon
A carbon fibre can also used as a decorative material for home. It’s an active component in high-quality, top-notch products, is a material with strength and stiffness. As a result, it is manufactured as a lightweight chair and filigreed shutters. The material has a smooth finish that gives it an all-around sleek look.
Carbon fibre is made of organic polymer. These are long strings of molecules bonded by carbon atoms. Most of the remaining fibres are made of polyacrylonitrile and rayon/petroleum pitch. It is durable and can withstand high pressure.
This kind of versatility is rare to find and thus, can be splurged upon various elements in an interior space ranging from wall panels, furniture, showpieces, fabric for the draperies etc. Its colour and glowing nature can best become a part of a classy modern aesthetic. This way it can stand out in spaces to give a featured pop to it.
Carbon fiber is also an efficient building material. Read on –
Cost: $9.7/lb
09. Home Décor from Recycled Materials
With the rise in awareness about the climate and the environment, an effort is made to reuse materials and objects that are categorized as waste. Using materials such as wood and ceramics to repurpose spaces boosts the environment while giving the space a unique personality.
It is easy to create this, as any available reusable waste material can be repurposed into something creative and decor worthy. Home décor from recycled materials also looks classy and elegant. It can include, home décor recycled materials like repurposing wooden benches for shelving systems, reusing plastic bottles for holding plants, or even making textures that can go on top of counters or as feature walls from shredded glass or plastics.
Home décor recycled materials can also include construction materials that can be used for a feature wall, joined together by a bonding substance. Bricks from the demolished buildings can be put together to form a featured wall of irregular shapes. Wooden planks can be reused for shelving systems and shutters etc. You will be able to create themes ranging from Art Deco to a Bohemian-themed living space using them.
10. Live Wooden Edges
Wood is one of the best home décor natural materials, and that are aesthetic and environmentally safe for use. These aspects of wood are made better by making use of thick wooden slab pieces that have retained their original tree trunk lines.
These wooden pieces can be the counter pieces for your breakfast table, feature as a headboard or shelving space or could be a whole dinner table in itself. This very rustic and outdoorsy vibe that the wood brings in makes the space feel closer to nature.
Wood is always ranked first when it comes to home décor natural material. A traditional household, following a theme of natural and vernacular materials, would be the aesthetic that can be enhanced with a live wooden edge. Do you know about vernacular architecture? If not, then don’t worry; here you go!
On the other hand, a modern space with no such element can have a big piece of beautifully cut live edge to brighten up and pop up the space.
Cost: $95/sq.ft. – $300/sq.ft.
11. Oxidized Metals
The efforts that we have poured in over the years to not make metals rust have paid off because now the oxidized metal surfaces are viewed as pieces of art. This material is related to a theme of industrial nature and gives off a rustic appeal to the space.
Oxidized metals can be used as rustic furniture pieces and can adorn a feature wall to bring a pop of texture to the space. As the procedure of making the surface oxidized takes precision and care, the price of such features can be high. Given that, this material will be a unique piece to have if you are revamping your space. The colour palette might be limited but it is not limited to only one shade of rust.
An example of the same is the cabinet design done by studio Zanellato/Bortotto where the cabinets were oxidised to give an ombre effect that has colours ranging from light to dark. The designs such as thing would sit well in a Zen-inspired theme that reflects calm and peace. The more rugged textures of oxidised metals imbibe a more industrial style of decor.
Cost: $0.25 – $0.4 per lb
12. Luminous Textile
New to the material palette of today, this luminous textile is the creation of colour kinetics. It is a multi-coloured LED light that is merged with fabric panels. It enhances the way the light moves, uplifting the sense of texture and movement in a room.
When hung from the ceiling, the luminous textile helps in controlling the dissipation of sound to the ceiling. This means the family living above your apartment will never complain about your late night parties! This material could naturally be a part of a very event-oriented theme that is lively and energetic. This feature can be used as wall panelling or a ceiling feature in any place to create a specific kind of ambience.
13. Steel Enamel: Best Home Décor Material
Made from a combination of steel and glass, steel enamel is a material that exhibits strength, robustness and the capability to resist high thermal stress. Due to its hygienic and scratch-resistant properties, it can replace ceramic tiles.
As it is made from natural materials that can be repurposed, it is considered a completely sustainable material. It is widely used as a material for bathroom features and products.
With the variety of bath products and experiences the material offers, you will not be disappointed with the sleek and modern touch they add to the space. It matches well with minimal decor and luxurious textures such as marble.
14. Jesmonite: An Exclusive Home Décor Material
Jesmonite is a material that is made by the combination of plaster and cement with a water-based resin. It is a versatile material because it can be easily made to look like other materials. It is one material that can also be made within the comforts of your home.
Along with that, it has valuable properties such as durability, flame resistance, and resistance to force. It is commonly used for sculptures and other 3-D works along with being a surface material for building construction projects.
This material can also be used as a base on top of other textures like metal dust and moulds. One such unique piece is by ‘Designer Gavin Keightley’ who used food moulds to shape jemsonite furniture. This way, its use has been broadened to touch Art Deco, Modernity, Minimalism and Uniqueness for a style quotient.
15. Vibrant Green Corner
Including plants in the interior spaces always adds a unique and aesthetic feel to the room. It also holds the advantages of being an interior environment improver. The green factor can be brought in using artificial plants and surfaces that can be featured as green walls. These plants and green cover can also occupy a certain portion of each room at different corners and spaces to amp it up.
Apart from this, you can also collectively grow them in a balcony space or any other dedicated space in your home. There are many aesthetic planting options available. However, some of the most popular house plants are Nerve Plant, Red Aglaonema, Silver Vase Plant, Prayer Plant, Snake Plant etc.
Cost: $65/sq.ft.
Plants not only give a wow factor but also improve air quality and give you a healthy environment. Want to know which are the best air purifying plants, go through the below link –
5 Additional Themes and Ideas to Take Away
01. A Sustainable Approach
The tradition and roots of our ancestors are unique to all of us. It is also a sustainable and very functional way of living. So tapping into that side can bring new light to your spaces and get you in touch with your past.
02. Bring Back The 80s
Tapping into the general theme of the retro era is also a way to go when creating spaces. The combination of bold colours and textures, in sync with the vibe of the people living there, can elevate the mood of the space.
03. Opulence Through Rich Colors And Textures
Adding a luxurious theme to your decor can also bring out the richness and contrast in colours. Vintage furniture upholstered with rich coloured fabric and materials that resemble a royal touch can be included in such a theme. Extravagant lighting features make a big statement for such a setting as well.
04. Keeping It Clean With Minimalism
Minimalism is on the rise with aesthetics melting down into things that are only necessary! This theme can be achieved by using muted light colours in colours with a few dark ones. Simplifying the decor elements like vases and pictures to plain and simple ones adds to the theme.
05. Eco-Friendly For The Planet
Since environmental concerns are rising, focusing on sustainability is the way forward.
With the variety of best home décor materials listed, the essence they bring into a space differs as well. Some might experience nostalgia while some might be bold with their sharp and bright features. Each of them is capable of presenting a unique experience when used in different ways, by adding depth and character to the space. To put a number on the diverse materials and their uses in home decor would be hardly possible, which is what opens up unexplored terrains for you.
You should use this opportunity and quality to handpick the materials that will elevate your home to a higher level. You can even hire a professional who would be even more insightful in letting you know about the bigger circle of materials and qualities. This way, you can consider all your options and arrive at pick materials that fit your style and comfort.
With these amazing and unique home décor materials, use the DIY interior decoration ideas below to transform your home and amaze your friends and families.
10 DIY Interior Decoration Ideas for Your Home That You Must Try!
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Author Bio
Saili Sawantt – She is an Architect and Interior Designer by profession. Writing is what she treats as her passion. She has worked as an Architectural Writer, Editor, and Journalist for various design as well as digital portals, both national and international. Formerly she has also worked with Godrej Properties Limited (GPL) Design Studio, Mumbai, due to her keen interested in learning about Sustainability and Green buildings. Apart from this, she runs her blog ‘The Reader’s Express’ and is a practicing Architect & Interior Designer.