According to Textile Institute (Manchester, England) (2009) natural fibers have played a part in human existence for thousands of years. They are highly valuable textile raw materials characterized by specific features that are user-friendly to both people and the natural environment.
As much as synthetic fibers allow remodelling and customisation, to represent texture and patterns, natural fibers always steal the show when it comes to technique and character. Being the product of nature and a category of materials worked and reworked by many artisans and craftsmen, natural fibers bring a sense of depth and texture to a plain space. Natural fiber materials are also needed for the future, which is unquestionably moving ahead.
All Natural for a Better Future: 5 Benefits of using Natural materials
The future from here might not seem bleak to you, right? You might be all settled and sitting comfortably in your home, thinking how well you have it. But, if you use plastics and other man-made materials that are detrimental to the environment, then you are contributing to this bleak future, and you are unaware of the same. We can all save our planet by moving away from hazardous materials and embracing natural fibers.
Natural fiber for interior textiles not only boosts environmental quality, but it also brings about certain benefits.
01. Versatile
Natural fiber materials can be used in various designs, creating an ambient and sleek aesthetics for a minimalist and beautifully composed one. They can be incorporated in everything, from the upholstery of furniture to electrical appliances such as lamps. The options available are endless.
02. Environment friendly
Being made up of natural materials, it becomes an environmentally friendly material that has the means to decompose and go back to the earth. Natural home textiles also have a comparatively smaller carbon footprint and use less energy, becoming all-round and reliable.
03. Vintage Aesthetic
Combinations of natural fibers and materials create a sense of the old world, where these were staples in living spaces. Thus, the current use of them brings back nostalgic vibes with a rustic and vintage vibe to them.
04. Durable
The quality of the products made with natural fibers tends to be good and long-lasting. Moreover, unlike other materials, you can dispose of or recycle these sustainable home materials after use, by reusing or thrifting. This, in turn, has fewer effects on the environment.
05. Keeping up with Traditions
Natural materials become a link to our ancestral tradition and culture. This helps keep alive the identity of a family, a place, and a world whose character is defined by the rich culture it holds.
15 Trending Natural Fibers in Interior Design
Natural fiber furniture and low-cost natural fiber décor bring a sense of belonging to the earth, just as incorporating these sustainable home materials in our interior spaces brings in nature itself. For a sustainable and aesthetic inclusion of natural home textiles, here is a list of natural fibers that can help you achieve the same.
01. Bamboo
We bet you have adored beautiful weaves made using bamboo strips joined to finally build rather strong and elegant furniture.
This intricately detailed weave brings texture to a smooth aesthetic, elevating it. It becomes a highlighting element that showcases the function of the room. Try it; you will not regret it.
02. Jute
Used extensively in clothes, jute natural fiber is a long-lasting sustainable home material that creates an intricately textured appearance for an interior decor piece. The variety of décor, made from the same material ranges from cushions to showpieces and even natural fiber rugs.
Once explored, this material gives you chic elements of a space that organise it. This revamps the aesthetic around the element, as it stands out.
03. Rattan
Rattan stands out as a natural fiber material when it comes to furniture, as it brings simplicity and a unique design compared to the rest. Incorporate low-cost natural fiber décor, such as woven baskets and rattan furniture, to transform your living room into a cosy oasis.
Craftwork that uses rattan-produced beautifully weaved designs that are unlike any other is found in Southeast Asia.
04. Hemp
Hemp seeds are widely known to be a part of a healthy diet. Moreover, hemp stalks are used for natural fiber in interior design. It possesses numerous qualities, such as absorption of UV rays, and mold resistance, and prevents the appearance of damp spots, making it totally ideal for coastal environments.
It can be used for insulation, boards, and bricks (hempcrete), all thanks to its amazing strength, which is noteworthy.
Know more about hempwood here:
05. Wicker
Wicker is a process that combines the use of wood with other natural materials. It uses strips of wood with different natural materials to give a unique finish to various pieces of furniture.
Opt for organic wicker furniture that not only showcases your impeccable taste but also reflects your commitment to sustainable living. Apart from furniture, it is an accessible and common technique adopted by various creators for terraces, patios, and gardens too.
06. Sisal
A unique material that has high tensile strength, sisal has become a staple natural fiber in interior designs today.
Sisal rope, cords, and other artsy traditional elements form the aesthetic palette of the sustainable home. This can fit into any aesthetic. Below is an image of a sisal natural fiber rug.
07. Wool
Known to be a rich and comfortable material, wool fibers obtained from sheep fleece are one of the most luxurious treats among natural fibers.
From being a good insulator, it can go up to being a classy and stylish throw on your sofa. Its texture and quality add life to the space it inhabits.
08. Cashmere
Cashmere is another high-quality and rich fiber among natural materials. Millions of women love cashmere shawls. This very item can also be a part of your interiors with seating spaces.
The richness it brings is incomparable and lifts your space in an instant. It is smooth to touch and durable, making it an important commodity you can pass down to anyone.
09. Abaca
Abaca natural fiber comes from a type of leaf that is often mistaken for a banana leaf. It is a lustrous, eco-friendly home textile. People cultivate abaca plants for fiber rather than consumption. The lustrous fibre is extracted from the dry leaves of this plant.
10. Linen
Linen is an eco-friendly home textile that has become a staple part of interior design fabrics. From sofa cushion covers to curtains and sheets, it is abundantly used to achieve a sleek and classy interior.
With its versatility in shades and designs, it easily fits into a range of themes and styles. This sustainable home material is low-maintenance and budget-friendly.
11. Mohair
Being a strong, resilient, and durable material, Mohair is used as outerwear and in knitted goods.
It is a fabric that has thin scales on the surface that reflect light, giving the material luster.
12. Angora
Angora is one of the natural fibers taken from Angora rabbits that is soft to the touch. Because its density is lighter than wood, it is effectively used in low-cost natural fiber décor for your interiors.
It also proves to be a good insulator as well as high-quality knitwear.
13. Cotton
Cotton is the most preferred natural fiber in interior design. It is safe for the environment, and has also been proven to be best for your skin. It is soft to the touch and possesses good absorption power.
14. Ramie
According to Amy Wilbanks, Nancy Oxford, Dana Miller, Sharon Coleman (2009) (author of the book – Textiles for Residential and Commercial Interiors 3rd Edition) Ramie, a bast fiber from the ramie plant, is also known as grass cloth, rhea, or China grass. With good specific strength and modulus, Ramie is a silk-like material with good durability.
It has high moisture, and dispersion absorbency and is available in a wide variety. Ramie fiber is the best option for natural fiber wall covering.
15. Pineapple
Fibers of pineapple are blended with other materials and fibers for natural fiber home décor items.
It is used in sustainable home materials, automobiles, and Geotech. Being easy to cultivate, it is available in abundance as well.
When you build a space for yourselves, you must design it well, maintaining harmony with your surroundings. You can create an effective and impressive space by incorporating natural fibers in interior design. This way, you can imbibe a desirable theme while remaining cautious to not harm the environment. Investing time in understanding the options is, therefore needed before you go ahead and create a space that is your own.
FAQs
01. Why use Natural Fibers for Furniture?
Materials from a natural source is better for the environment, in general. Beyond that, natural fiber furniture is low-maintenance, highly durable, and lightweight. It is affordable and has been a part of human history, so it can be a way of preserving traditional designs and craftsmanship. Moreover, organic fiber furniture adds a touch of natural elegance to the space over synthetic furniture with its natural appearance.
02. Which is the Eco-friendliest Natural Fiber?
While all-natural fibers are environmentally safe, there are a few that impact them even further, making them the eco-friendliest materials. Some eco-friendly natural materials are bamboo and bamboo fiber, cork, hemp, organic cotton, soybean fabric, bioplastic compostables, etc.
03. Are there any drawbacks of Natural Fibers?
When compared to synthetic fibers that hold excellent properties, natural fibers rank a bit low. They aren’t as durable, and light-weighted, as their synthetic counterparts. Natural fibers aren’t wrinkle-free and are vulnerable to infestations by moths and insects of all kinds.
Having gained knowledge about natural fiber materials used in interior design, you might want to check out more of its application. To do so, click the link below:
15 Sustainable Home Décor Ideas: Harmonizing Ethics and Aesthetics
Image Courtesy: Image 11, Image 17
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.
