No home is complete without some timber somewhere – if nothing else, it’s almost definitely in your walls. Like most decorative building materials, timber based options have come in and out of style many times over the years.
Each time they make a comeback there might be a slight tweak, a small change, but all in all it’s much of the same. This makes any additions of timber to your home a timeless choice. If installed correctly and appropriately maintained, timber can last a lifetime.
When thinking of timber in the home, everyone’s first thought will be a hardwood floor. This bad boy has been around for centuries, literally. It’s what you could call the original flooring option.
Back when there wasn’t much else to choose from (dirt maybe? Some hay or even stone?) it was the go-to option for flooring. Obviously over the years, and thanks to the genius of invention, we now have an abundance of different materials and designs readily available with which to cover our floors.
The 1950’s started seeing the rise in popularity for vinyl and other synthetic materials for flooring but the last decade or so we’ve seen a return to the humble hardwood floor. No doubt you’ve heard stories of someone buying a new home and ripping up the layers of ‘fake’ flooring to reveal the stunning original hardwood underneath.
This flooring can be a pain to restore and cost you an arm and a leg to install or revive, but the finished product really is worth the work. Invest in a quality timber floor cleaner and have it treated every few years and you’ve got a beautiful addition to your home.
Doors – every home has them, and these are another way we often see timber included in a home. Yes, there are many styles of doors that opt out of the wooden category or incorporate a variety of materials, but typically speaking, when you have a browse around IKEA or Wollert display homes most options you see will still be timber.
Doors are an awesome and easy way to really personalise your home when undertaking a knock down rebuild or adding an extension – options aren’t quite as limitless if you’re working with an existing doorway, but it can still be done.
Once you’ve picked out a colour and style of timber, you can take personalisation that one step further by customising the door handles. There are so many styles to choose from whether you’re opting for classic vibes or something a little bit quirky. The only real maintenance of a timber door is ensuring regulation of humidity. Too much moisture and there is a risk of warping, and you’ll find you won’t be able to close them quite as easily.
Let’s not forget the furniture. Wood or timber is an absolute staple in most varieties of furniture. Cabinets, chairs, tables, desks, you name it, it probably comes in timber. When picking out furnishings for a new home (or a renovation) there are many important factors to consider and decisions to be made. It’s no secret that over the years manufacturing has taken a turn for the worst.
Where things were once built to last and be repaired over and over again, these days many are made to be disposed of or replaced in a few years’ time.
Investing in quality pieces will invariably pay off in the future – if not financially then environmentally. When we think of antiques many of us think more expensive than new, and this can be true, but second-hand stores can be the ideal place to pick up affordable, quality furniture.
If you’ve got a bit of DIY in you, then restorations are a great way to save money and really personalise a piece of furniture. Even just a coat of a quality oil for wood furniture can go a long way in bringing a piece back to life.
While frequently overlooked, another place we typically see timber in our homes is windowsills and skirting boards. Often these places are painted over making it easy for us to forget them when trying to increase the amount of timber in our decorative styles.
The interior design style known as ‘Cottage Core’ is increasing in popularity. This style is generally quite romantic in nature and leans towards a simplicity and basic aesthetic reminiscent of an old cottage in the woods. Naturally this means an abundance of wooden aesthetic incorporated into the finer details of the space.
Stripping back any paint from your windowsills and skirting boards is a laborious task but much like the hardwood floor, this can be a beautiful addition to any home. Something to be careful of here is a mismatch in wooden tones.
Too many clashes can make a room look messy and throw off the symmetry. Take your time to assess whether this look will suit your desired aesthetic before you start any modifications.
Lastly, but certainly not least, we have the age-old deck (or balcony). The obvious and undeniable best addition to any house. If you’re fortunate to have a home that is suited to the installation of a deck or balcony it really is a no-brainer. Not only is it the ideal spot to spend summer mornings and evenings, but it’s also the ideal stage for a BBQ or to simply bask in the sun.
Building a deck is a very popular DIY task for us Aussies. It’s a great way to get together with a few mates, host a family gathering, have a few drinks and a place where you can get a bit creative. Just be sure to do your research before you get started, the last thing you want is an uneven or dodgy looking final product.
Maintaining the timber on your deck is also a big must. Oiling deck timber is all good and well, but you should really be resealing it or treating it every 2 to 3 years.
More if there is heavy foot traffic. Before installing your inevitable masterpiece, make sure you know what the best product for deck protection is and the most effective ways to apply.
Remember, when in doubt or if you’re ever unsure about the best steps to take, it’s always best to ask the professionals.