It’s easy to see why high-quality natural materials are increasingly in demand: from metal accents to marble countertops and hardwood floors, natural materials can enhance any area.

Finding and selecting just the right materials for a given space helps to ensure that your design and home renovation projects are met with greater success.

Not sure what to look for? Here are some ideas.

Granite countertops in a kitchen with a window overlooking the sink
These granite countertops complement the wood cabinets and bring a nice mix of natural materials into this kitchen.

Stone and Metal

Decorative accents that incorporate natural stonework or metals that have been unprocessed and unpolished — such as wrought-iron fixtures and granite inlays — could be the perfect addition to your decor.

Materials that have a bit more heft and substance to them can provide an eye-catching decorative accent that is sure to make an impression. The key is walking around your home and determining which rooms would benefit the most from these accents.


Chelsea Lipford Wolf sitting on hardwood floor
Wood plank flooring adds instant warmth to any room.

Natural Wood

While metal and stonework can highlight their surroundings, relying too heavily on them can leave interiors feeling cold or barren.

Natural woods help soften the feel of a room, which can create a warm, cozy atmosphere. While hardwood floors are an obvious way to incorporate quality wood into a design scheme, they are by no means the only option.

From crown molding and wainscoting in the dining room to a wood-fired cedar hot tub in the bathroom, there’s no shortage of ways to incorporate natural hardwoods into your decor.


Living room with seashells and candles on the coffee table
No coffee table’s top should be bare. Add a bowl of seashells, assorted candles or other things that bring you joy.

Leather, Shell and Glass

While leather furnishings and decorative accents made from stained glass or seashells may not be the dominant feature of a room, they are still versatile enough to complement a range of design schemes.

Leather is the perfect material choice for those seeking a minimal aesthetic while shell and glass offer a playful way to inject a splash of color or much-needed texture into an area.

Rushing into an interior design project can have disastrous results. Patience and careful planning are essential for ensuring that your next home upgrade or interior redesign can produce superior results.

Kara Masterson is a freelance writer.

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Danny Lipford

Founder

Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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