Renovating
Ask an Architect: How Can I Use Timber in Exciting Ways?
The warmth and texture of timber can add a striking focal point to your interior – on walls as well as floors
Over the past 10 to 15 years, there’s been a sea change in how we cover our floors in the UK. Carpet has all but disappeared from the bathroom, and timber has deservedly become a go-to material for living room, kitchen and even bedroom floors. We’ve embraced wood as we’ve come to understand and appreciate the visual warmth and practicality this natural material can bring to our homes.
So how can we use it in interesting and innovative ways? Think beyond the conventional notion of timber as planks on a floor, and open up a new world of possibilities for using wood beautifully on both floors and walls.
So how can we use it in interesting and innovative ways? Think beyond the conventional notion of timber as planks on a floor, and open up a new world of possibilities for using wood beautifully on both floors and walls.
Bring an external finish inside as an accent
Vertical cladding on the wall of this side infill extension acts as a focal point, and links the interior with the exterior by extending into the courtyard space outside.
Cladding is available in several profiles, which will affect how the joints between the boards appear. In this example, there is a small shadow gap between tongue and groove boards, which looks clean and crisp.
Vertical cladding on the wall of this side infill extension acts as a focal point, and links the interior with the exterior by extending into the courtyard space outside.
Cladding is available in several profiles, which will affect how the joints between the boards appear. In this example, there is a small shadow gap between tongue and groove boards, which looks clean and crisp.
Unify patterns and textures by using the same finish
The herringbone pattern on this timber floor contrasts with the straight boards used on the walls, but a white oil finish on both results in a harmonious overall impression.
The herringbone pattern on this timber floor contrasts with the straight boards used on the walls, but a white oil finish on both results in a harmonious overall impression.
Strip back and update
This traditional timber wall panelling has been stripped of its shiny finish. This updates its appearance and ties in well with the clean lines of the timber flooring and dining table. The rich blue used on the walls above the panelling completes this dramatic scheme.
Tip Use a matt-finish clear sealer to help preserve and protect the wood without adding sheen.
This traditional timber wall panelling has been stripped of its shiny finish. This updates its appearance and ties in well with the clean lines of the timber flooring and dining table. The rich blue used on the walls above the panelling completes this dramatic scheme.
Tip Use a matt-finish clear sealer to help preserve and protect the wood without adding sheen.
Use flooring as a wall finish
Timber planks used on the floor of an adjacent room reappears as an accent finish on a wall in this dining area. A band of mirror set flush with the wall surface brings brasserie-style animation to supper time.
Explore more ideas for adding wood panelling to your home
Timber planks used on the floor of an adjacent room reappears as an accent finish on a wall in this dining area. A band of mirror set flush with the wall surface brings brasserie-style animation to supper time.
Explore more ideas for adding wood panelling to your home
Consider a clever interpretation of the original
Concrete cast with the impression of timber boarding creates a floor-to-ceiling headboard in this bedroom, and provides visual interest and textural contrast with the white painted walls and ceiling. New floorboards and a wooden bench add a further subtle contrast with the reclaimed effect on the wall.
Concrete cast with the impression of timber boarding creates a floor-to-ceiling headboard in this bedroom, and provides visual interest and textural contrast with the white painted walls and ceiling. New floorboards and a wooden bench add a further subtle contrast with the reclaimed effect on the wall.
Take inspiration from industrial spaces
End-grain woodblock flooring, traditionally used on factory floors because of its extremely hard-wearing characteristics, can be equally at home in a domestic setting.
End-grain woodblock flooring, traditionally used on factory floors because of its extremely hard-wearing characteristics, can be equally at home in a domestic setting.
Think visual and tactile contrast
Oak flooring laid in a chevron pattern acts as a visual and tactile counterpoint to the cool hard stone and stainless steel finishes on these kitchen units, adding a welcome naturalistic touch. The scale of the chevrons can be adjusted to suit the scale of the room – in this case, they’re deliberately oversized.
Oak flooring laid in a chevron pattern acts as a visual and tactile counterpoint to the cool hard stone and stainless steel finishes on these kitchen units, adding a welcome naturalistic touch. The scale of the chevrons can be adjusted to suit the scale of the room – in this case, they’re deliberately oversized.
Soften right angles with pattern
This chevron-pattern parquet is smoked oak with a hard wax oil finish, laid in pre-assembled planks rather than in individual pieces. The pattern draws the eye to the garden beyond, and breaks up the right-angled wall and ceiling planes. Note the different effect achieved here with smaller-scale chevrons to the ones in the previous image.
Discover more ideas for parquet flooring
This chevron-pattern parquet is smoked oak with a hard wax oil finish, laid in pre-assembled planks rather than in individual pieces. The pattern draws the eye to the garden beyond, and breaks up the right-angled wall and ceiling planes. Note the different effect achieved here with smaller-scale chevrons to the ones in the previous image.
Discover more ideas for parquet flooring
Pay attention to the detail
Walnut panelling with clean, contemporary detailing clads the walls of this basement space. Note how the frameless doors ‘disappear’ thanks to concealed hinges and a minimum of ironmongery. The warmth of the wood cocoons the space and draws the eye to the illuminated ceiling above.
TELL US…
Have you gone beyond floorboards with timber details in your home? We’d love to hear about it or see your photos in the Comments below.
Walnut panelling with clean, contemporary detailing clads the walls of this basement space. Note how the frameless doors ‘disappear’ thanks to concealed hinges and a minimum of ironmongery. The warmth of the wood cocoons the space and draws the eye to the illuminated ceiling above.
TELL US…
Have you gone beyond floorboards with timber details in your home? We’d love to hear about it or see your photos in the Comments below.
Slatted exterior timber cladding gives this extension to a brick house a distinct identity and frames the large glass sliding doors that open on to the garden. For a maintenance-free finish, choose hardwood, western red cedar or thermally-treated softwood, always from a sustainable source.