Decorating
Trends: 11 Ways to Work the Woodland Look
From squirrels to stags to wonderfully gnarled branches, sprinkle your home with some fairy-tale forest magic
It began with the odd pair of tastefully positioned antlers on walls, and atmospheric tree-patterned wallpaper. Then it spread to squirrel and stag prints on cushions, foxes on lampshades and owls just about everywhere. The woodland trend has been around for a while, but has now reached critical mass, with cute animal prints, natural wooden furnishings, snug faux-fur throws and modern stag’s heads à gogo in every store.
So what’s the appeal of this look? Well, it’s charming without being twee; it helps us feel just a little bit more in touch with nature and the countryside; and it’s magical, too, bringing to mind traditional fairy tales and cosy cabin getaways. Whether you go for the full-on Little Red Riding Hood look or just sprinkle a few quirky touches here and there, one thing’s for sure: it’s bound to bring a smile to your face.
So what’s the appeal of this look? Well, it’s charming without being twee; it helps us feel just a little bit more in touch with nature and the countryside; and it’s magical, too, bringing to mind traditional fairy tales and cosy cabin getaways. Whether you go for the full-on Little Red Riding Hood look or just sprinkle a few quirky touches here and there, one thing’s for sure: it’s bound to bring a smile to your face.
Find your foxy side
It’s popped up on a fair few winter knits in recent years, but the wily fox also looks great as a print on these matching cushions. Look carefully and you’ll also notice the cool grey wallpaper is covered with tiny motifs of this oh-so British furry friend. Search around for a wealth of similar animal-print papers online. More urban than country these days, perhaps, but the fox still makes for a worthy woodland design.
It’s popped up on a fair few winter knits in recent years, but the wily fox also looks great as a print on these matching cushions. Look carefully and you’ll also notice the cool grey wallpaper is covered with tiny motifs of this oh-so British furry friend. Search around for a wealth of similar animal-print papers online. More urban than country these days, perhaps, but the fox still makes for a worthy woodland design.
Make a creature feature
The humble squirrel is often over-looked in the interior décor woodland creature hierarchy, but this sweet cushion proves it’s a worthy successor to the stag or owl. This all-white Scandi-chic space, meanwhile, is all about the details, with a rustic wood star, a snow-white sheepskin and a fir tree print adding to the woodland mood.
See stylish ways to work Scandi style
The humble squirrel is often over-looked in the interior décor woodland creature hierarchy, but this sweet cushion proves it’s a worthy successor to the stag or owl. This all-white Scandi-chic space, meanwhile, is all about the details, with a rustic wood star, a snow-white sheepskin and a fir tree print adding to the woodland mood.
See stylish ways to work Scandi style
Show off a stag’s head
Give the ‘cabin in the woods’ look a hip update, as seen in this cool blue panelled kitchen. The tongue and groove, wooden worktop and enamel pendant all add up to a feeling that’s modern yet cosy, but it’s the stag’s head that adds the real forest feel.
If taxidermy isn’t your thing, there are plenty of modern stag’s heads on the high street, made of everything from plaster to DIY ply.
Give the ‘cabin in the woods’ look a hip update, as seen in this cool blue panelled kitchen. The tongue and groove, wooden worktop and enamel pendant all add up to a feeling that’s modern yet cosy, but it’s the stag’s head that adds the real forest feel.
If taxidermy isn’t your thing, there are plenty of modern stag’s heads on the high street, made of everything from plaster to DIY ply.
Plan a pop-up forest
Admittedly, this theatrical look isn’t for the faint-hearted, but if you have the space (and strong enough floors), this natural conversation piece is stunning. A cluster of slender tree trunks have turned this dining room/playroom into a magical forest space.
If you want to have a go at creating your own personal mini wood, try talking to local tree surgeons for ethically sourced offcuts (and make sure trunks are secured safely in place). It’s a look the kids will love you for.
Admittedly, this theatrical look isn’t for the faint-hearted, but if you have the space (and strong enough floors), this natural conversation piece is stunning. A cluster of slender tree trunks have turned this dining room/playroom into a magical forest space.
If you want to have a go at creating your own personal mini wood, try talking to local tree surgeons for ethically sourced offcuts (and make sure trunks are secured safely in place). It’s a look the kids will love you for.
Choose woodland wallpaper
Make a huge impact in a bedroom with this iconic woodland wallpaper. In this kid’s room, the theme is continued with wooden furniture and a faux-fur throw. However, you could use this print in just about any room in the house to create an instant woodland atmosphere.
Take a look at other cool ways with wallpaper
Make a huge impact in a bedroom with this iconic woodland wallpaper. In this kid’s room, the theme is continued with wooden furniture and a faux-fur throw. However, you could use this print in just about any room in the house to create an instant woodland atmosphere.
Take a look at other cool ways with wallpaper
Create a Hobbit hole
OK, we’re not suggesting you move to Middle Earth. But this Hobbit house-like, low-impact abode, nestled in a hillside, does have some charming style details for ordinary mortals to steal. The simple stripped wood floor and candle lighting create a fairy-tale feel, while the black stove would be ideal for toasting marshmallows. If you want to copy the twisting banister, forage for interesting branches on the forest floor.
OK, we’re not suggesting you move to Middle Earth. But this Hobbit house-like, low-impact abode, nestled in a hillside, does have some charming style details for ordinary mortals to steal. The simple stripped wood floor and candle lighting create a fairy-tale feel, while the black stove would be ideal for toasting marshmallows. If you want to copy the twisting banister, forage for interesting branches on the forest floor.
Stick ’em up
Wall stickers have become a low-risk – and inexpensive – way to add some woodland charm to a kid’s room or nursery. Many of them are removable, too, so if you get bored you can move them around or take them down. There are tons up for grabs featuring every woodland creature you can think of. This sweet set features birds, a squirrel and some very cool geometrical trees.
Wall stickers have become a low-risk – and inexpensive – way to add some woodland charm to a kid’s room or nursery. Many of them are removable, too, so if you get bored you can move them around or take them down. There are tons up for grabs featuring every woodland creature you can think of. This sweet set features birds, a squirrel and some very cool geometrical trees.
Pimp your antlers
A pair of antlers mounted on a wall has become a much-imitated modern design detail. But for an edgier effect, why not try painting them a bright colour, as seen in this eclectic bathroom? The lipstick red adds a splash of colour to the grey walls, while an oversized pine cone finishes the look off perfectly.
A pair of antlers mounted on a wall has become a much-imitated modern design detail. But for an edgier effect, why not try painting them a bright colour, as seen in this eclectic bathroom? The lipstick red adds a splash of colour to the grey walls, while an oversized pine cone finishes the look off perfectly.
Transform a cloakroom
The smallest room in the house can be a great place to try out new trends and have some fun. In this guest cloakroom, a winter tree silhouette and a modern pigeon light add a touch of woodland charm. The soft grey-blue paint, meanwhile, brings to mind frosty winter days.
The smallest room in the house can be a great place to try out new trends and have some fun. In this guest cloakroom, a winter tree silhouette and a modern pigeon light add a touch of woodland charm. The soft grey-blue paint, meanwhile, brings to mind frosty winter days.
Hang it all
Antlers as hooks give a humdrum piece of hardware a cool, contemporary twist. I love this trio of white antler hooks in a hallway – an easy and practical way to get your woodland dose, and clear clutter off the floor to boot.
TELL US…
Will you try the woodland trend in your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Antlers as hooks give a humdrum piece of hardware a cool, contemporary twist. I love this trio of white antler hooks in a hallway – an easy and practical way to get your woodland dose, and clear clutter off the floor to boot.
TELL US…
Will you try the woodland trend in your home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Owl prints may be ubiquitous these days, but there’s still something irresistible about them. Cute without being twee, mysterious yet lovable, they also have a kitsch, retro appeal.
In this 1970s-style living room, a trio of green leather armchairs each sports the same print, but in different shades to avoid ‘owl overload’. And let’s not forget the fantastic curtains, a veritable forest of stylised trees that adds a huge dose of personality.