Sustainable Luxury: The Role of Reclaimed Wood in Modern Interior Spaces
Refinishing interior spaces can be an exciting and refreshing time in our lives. Swapping out the old with something new allows us to express ourselves creatively while improving functionality and comfort. These transformation projects often require a lot of materials, but that doesn’t mean our contribution to landfills must be excessive.
People are increasingly turning to reclaimed products for economic reasons and environmental concerns and in the case of reclaimed wood, an aesthetic appeal that is hard to achieve with freshly-milled materials.
The Allure of Reclaimed Wood
There are a lot of great reasons to choose reclaimed wood for your next project. Not only does it add character, but it also helps to reduce your carbon footprint in meaningful ways. Let’s look at some of the top reasons more and more people are going with sustainable wood products in their home and office remodeling projects.
Sustainable Forestry
First and foremost, reclaimed wood is a great pick for alleviating environmental concerns. The use of reclaimed wood over recently harvested timber takes a load off of our forests. Reducing dependence on burning fossil fuels to cut new trees is essential for the future of our planet, and using reclaimed wood is a great way to get involved on a local level.
Additionally, the wood is often of higher quality, as the use of old growth trees in timber for construction lost significant ground to new growth timber by the mid-twentieth century. Timbers produced before this time are often of higher quality, meaning they are both stronger and more durable.
Character
Another reason reclaimed wood has become so popular in recent years is the character it imparts into our design projects. The species and source of the reclaimed wood will determine the exact nature of that character, so be sure to familiarize yourself with some popular options to know what to expect. Whether you’re after rustic wood or a more modern look, there are options that will tie your sustainable luxury interior design ideas together nicely. Here are a few of the most popular and abundant options in North America.
Reclaimed Barn Wood
One of the most popular types of reclaimed wood for use in interior wall cladding is reclaimed barn wood. This source may deliver any combination of oak, pine, or chestnut, depending on the source, and delivers a weathered, distressed look with plenty of character.
People typically use reclaimed barn wood in residential or commercial spaces to add a rustic or farmhouse style character to the space.
Reclaimed Oak
Oak is a very common type of hardwood that’s found throughout North America. It has been used extensively in old buildings, factories, warehouses, and furniture over the past few centuries. This means there are plenty of sources for this durable reclaimed wood product with beautiful grain patterns.
Reclaimed oak is perfect for both contemporary and traditional interiors and lends itself well to rustic or industrial style settings.
Reclaimed Pine
Pine is a softwood that is incredibly abundant in the northern forests of the United States. Local reclaimed pine is often salvaged from old buildings, train cars, and other structures. The light color and prominent knots associated with pine is perfect for use in wood ceilings, feature walls, and accent panels.
People often use reclaimed pine for decor in cabins, beach structures, and Scandinavian-inspired interiors.
Reclaimed Pallet Wood
On the more affordable end, reclaimed pallet wood has grown in popularity recently. It can be found in hardwood and softwood varieties and offers a weathered mix of unique textures and imperfections. It can be painted or stained for a cleaner look or left natural for more rustic projects.
Reclaimed pallet wood is often used in DIY feature wall and accent panel projects, as well as projects where the budget is tight.
Aesthetic Versatility
Since all these different types of reclaimed wood feature unique colors, grain patterns, and other markings, we have a wide range of options for creating exactly what we’re after. This aesthetic versatility sets reclaimed wood apart as a unique and sustainable luxury material.
Applications in Modern Interiors
There are all kinds of creative ways to weave reclaimed wood into our modern interior design projects. Their high level of character perfectly accents the design when used in ways that highlight the history and patina of the planks. Here are some common ways people are designing with reclaimed wood for modern homes.
Wall Cladding and Paneling
One of the most popular applications of reclaimed wood in interior design is wall cladding and paneling. This puts the reclaimed wood on full display and makes for an eye-catching accent and features walls that can add significant warmth to the space.
Wood wall paneling also adds a certain level of acoustical comfort to the space. The natural variations in the wood grain, texture, and finish can help scatter and diffuse sound wave reflections, helping to control acoustical issues.
To increase their acoustical performance, choosing microperforated paneling with an acoustical backer will deliver in spades. Tiny holes in the panels allow sound to enter and become trapped in the acoustical backer, reducing sound reflections that can lead to acoustical issues like echo and reverberation.
If you’re looking for reclaimed wood accent wall ideas for living rooms, consulting with one of our design professionals can help you make the most of your project.
Flooring
Flooring is another great place to feature reclaimed wood in your interior designs. They are large swaths of uninterrupted space, and the unique markings and patina we see in reclaimed wood break up these large spaces with interesting variations.
The best types of reclaimed wood for flooring are hardwoods. They are stronger and more durable than softwoods, which means they can stand up to much more abuse in high traffic areas like floors.
Furniture
Another common accent is furniture made from reclaimed wood. Incorporating a coffee table or set of end tables made from reclaimed wood can add a touch of rustic decor that works well with almost any interior design scheme.
Ceiling Beams and Accents
Many people use reclaimed wood to accent their spaces via ceiling beams, fireplace mantels, and other decorative elements. It very often works to fantastic effect. Using reclaimed wood panels with an acoustical backing in your ceiling accents can provide the same acoustic benefits you would expect to see in the wall panels we looked at earlier.
Design Considerations
If you would like to use reclaimed wood in your next project, there are some factors to consider before choosing your product. Different types of reclaimed wood exude different aesthetic notes, and the one you choose can make or break the end result of your project.
Read More: Wooden Wall Paneling Designs
Sourcing and Quality
Not all reclaimed wood is suitable for use in interior decorating projects. That’s why figuring out where to buy reclaimed wood for walls, ceilings, and floors is so important. Reputable suppliers provide high quality, ethically sourced materials that will last for decades to come. There are some simple ways to separate reputable suppliers from the rest of the pack.
Certifications and Transparency
Looking for certifications is a great place to begin your search for a reputable dealer. Suppliers with certifications from FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative), or some other reclaimed wood certification are less likely to supply inferior products.
Transparency is also important. Suppliers who are open about where their reclaimed wood comes from, how it was sourced, and any processes it underwent tend to take pride in the products and services they offer.
Expertise and Experience
You should look at their body of work as an indication of quality. Suppliers with years of experience in the industry are more likely to have developed strong relationships with sustainable sources. This may also indicate a wider range of options, as reclaimed wood from different sources often feature different wood species. That means you can get the exact characteristics you’re after for your specific project.
References and Reviews
Customer satisfaction is another great indicator of a reputable dealer. Searching through references and reviews will give you a good idea about how well the supplier follows through for their customers. Reviews are usually readily available online, and many suppliers post customer testimonials on their websites. If someone you know and trust has recently completed a project using reclaimed wood, they serve as invaluable resources as well.
Inspecting the Quality of the Wood
Projects only look as good as the materials that go into them. Inspecting the wood is one more step we can take to make sure we are working with a reputable supplier. Reclaimed wood should be free of nails, screws, and other contaminants. Check for signs of damage, such as excessive warping or cracking, as well as signs that the wood is properly dried. If the wood looks good, make sure there is consistency in quality across all the planks you need.
Balancing Rustic and Modern
When using reclaimed wood, it’s important to choose the right types for your project. Some will look more modern, while others will deliver a beautifully rustic look. Finding the right balance will be key for your project’s success.
Conclusion
As we have seen, there are many great benefits of using reclaimed wood in interiors. Highlighting sustainable choices in luxury home finishings indicates thoughtful decision making and an eye for detail, and going with a reputable supplier will ensure you get the biggest bang for your buck.
Whether you are interested in learning how to incorporate reclaimed wood into a minimalist design or a grand, traditional layout, there are several options that add unmatched character to your projects. Reach out to learn how others have used reclaimed wood in their design projects for more inspiration. If you are ready to pull the trigger, contact us today! We’ve got all the products and expertise to help you make your project a success.
Read More: Using Wooden Walls to Connect Indoor & Outdoor Hotel Spaces