Who needs marble, brass and high-end timbers? They have their place, for sure (who doesn’t love a marble clad hotel bathroom or a polished brass bar?), but when it comes to making your home look fabulous, you can do better than the obvious. It's much cooler to make your space look amazing using unexpected, budget-friendly materials, and there’s beauty to be found in the grain of a sheet of plywood and the brutalist aesthetic of a concrete brick. Plus, with all that money you’ve saved using humble materials, there’s the bonus of spending the rest on the little luxuries you can’t do without. Here are seven materials worth another look…
Chipboard
The architect Carl Turner unapologetically used chipboard as the main material in his rural Norfolk home. From its rough textured surface and warm, honey coloured tones, the material makes quite the statement. Using it for floors, doors, walls and ceiling beams gives the space a minimalist and industrial look – one that’s rather more forgiving than plain white.
Photo: Courtesy of Dwell.
Rubber flooring
Banish thoughts of tatty lino in student houses and rubber flooring in your old sports hall – rubber and vinyl flooring has stepped up its game and is fast becoming the flooring of choice for kitchen, bathroom and even living spaces. Cheap, highly practical and available in a spectrum of colours, it lends spaces a utilitarian mood. Most importantly for UK dwellers, it’s warm underfoot too.
Photo: Courtesy of Sabo Project.
Plywood
A single sheet of ply behind a bed is an instant way to bring a natural, Scandi influence to a space. It may be a cheap material compared to some more sought-after timbers, but the grain is still visible enough to add texture and a feeling of calm. Dispense of the headboard altogether and use the ply sheet in its place for an even more pared back look.
Photo: Courtesy of IKEA.
Coffee sacks
If the word ‘upcycling’ conjures images of painted shabby chic furniture and things made from tyres, this use of coffee sacking will come as a pleasant surprise. Proof that a little bit of rough can still look sleek and upmarket, these bench cushions add a cool contrast to the space’s contemporary and polished style.
Photo: Courtesy of Homepolish.
Breeze blocks
We’re all familiar with the merits of concrete, but how many of us have ever considered the breeze block as a viable material of choice for our spaces? Perhaps we will after seeing them in action in this glamorous home, which marries the brutalist material with warm wood touches and luxe accessories and artwork.
Photo: Courtesy of Hillary Thomas.
Cork
Yes, cork is beautiful! And a practical choice for walls; not only is it sound and heat insulating, it also provides a canvas for all your notes, paraphernalia and inspirational bits and bobs.
Photo: Courtesy of Still Inspiration.
Corrugated tin
Corrugated tin is a bold look, but it can work in a domestic setting with the right mix of materials. This rustic barn teams tin with wood for warmth, concrete for a contemporary edge, and a touch of copper for a bit of bling.
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