Floor Focus: How to use Wood in Your Decor

How to level-up your interior aesthetic, using wood as a décor centerpiece.

Your challenge: establishing a “timeless style” that can work in any room of your home. The solution? Just create a focal point statement piece using the most timeless material of all: wood.
Wood is versatile. There are tens of thousands of species on earth, each with unique shapes, colors, and textures. This allows it to conform to a variety of aesthetics, and clearly communicate stylistic intentions ranging from clean and modern to rustic and historic. Additionally, wood can accomplish all of this with subtlety. Instead of distracting your eye or pulling your attention away from other features within your space, wood focal pieces naturally complement the rest of your décor, seamlessly building a design that’s equal parts calming and eye-catching.

Here are some ideas for subtle (and functional) wood accents to get you inspired.

BUTCHER BLOCK

In your kitchen, installing butcher block countertops—whether just on the island or throughout—is a quick way to visually warm the space while simultaneously grounding it with a central, functional focal point. As an organic material, wood also plays well with other natural materials like stone or clay, and looks great mixed in with metals and glass (if you want a modern look). And, butcher block isn’t just limited to countertops—it can make for a great statement piece as a kitchen backsplash as well.

With the addition of butcher block countertops or backsplash like LL Flooring’s Williamsburg Unfinished White Oak, or a lighter option such as the Williamsburg Maple Island Top, your kitchen can instantly feel more inviting and comfortable, and the timeless effect of butcher block assures that the style choice will outlast more fair-weather trends for years to come.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BEAMS

Choosing to install faux wood beams or slats across your ceiling is a great way to bring some rustic charm and added architectural detail to your home, no matter its age. Whether you veer more “rustic farmhouse,” with darker beams, or prefer a “Nordic neutral” look, with beams in a lighter tint, this project can inject a ton of character into your home without a huge investment of time or money. What’s more, it’s a simple enough endeavor for you to DIY (check out this handy how-to from Family Handyman to learn more). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FURNITURE

An obvious and functional way to introduce wood to your design is through furniture. Kitchen chairs, living room accent chairs, tables, book shelves, entertainment centers—the list goes one, and you’ve an ample assortment to choose from if you want to incorporate eye-catching wood features that also serve a practical function within your space. 
As you’re selecting your furniture, think about shape, color, scale, and how all those elements will affect appearance of your living space. For a more comfortable, contemporary look, for instance, search for furniture with rounded edges, as seen in this Better Homes & Gardens roundup.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCULPTURE

All of the ideas we’ve named thus far are great ways to bring lasting style to your space, but if you’re in search of a quicker solution, focus on smaller decorative items featuring wood—like light fixtures and sculpted statement pieces. This is a chance to explore your local design boutiques and vintage stores, or to search places like Etsy for wood sculptors. Carefully consider your space, and you’ll soon spot opportunities where a little accent décor can go a long way in setting an appropriate mood.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How do you use wood as a statement piece in your home? Post your photo on Facebook or Instagram and tag @LLFlooringOfficial for a chance to be featured on our page!