May 30, 2023, 12:43 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
Decorating with unfinished building materials is becoming increasingly popular. This new design trend is convincing not only for aesthetic and practical reasons but also in terms of sustainability. myHOMEBOOK author and interior designer Odett Schumann explains what’s behind it.
Building materials are an integral part of the construction and decorating process. Typically, they are plastered to create an appealing ambiance. However, the trend of a raw look made from unfinished building materials has been gaining traction for some time. What initially sounds unusual has a wild, romantic charm. myHOMEBOOK presents four ideas for decorating with unfinished building materials.
Building Material: Brick
Admittedly, the brick, also known as a clay brick, has long been a part of interior design. Especially individual unfinished walls often give living spaces a certain industrial charm. What’s new is that currently, several wall surfaces are intentionally left free of any covering. Even entire pieces of furniture–such as a kitchen island or a home bar–are now made from the material of fired clay-rich loam.
The look could hardly be more natural and rustic, yet it exudes plenty of warmth due to its distinctive orange-red color. And because the porous material with its rather rough surface texture has an almost decorative note, the rest of the decor can be kept minimalistic. In this case, the tone truly sets the tone.
More on this: 4 Ways to Achieve a Brick Look on the Wall
Decorating with Hollow Bricks
Even more intriguing currently seems to be the hollow brick for decorating with unfinished building materials. This type of brick, true to its name, features numerous holes inside and a surrounding grooved structure. Building a half-height wall in a room with hollow bricks creates an exciting wave-like appearance. Arranging the bricks in a horizontal position–with a clear view of the many internal holes–also looks highly original.
How to Design a Balcony in Industrial Style
3 Tips for Designing a Unique Ceiling
Decorative Designs with Shaped Bricks
Another type of brick joins the decorating ideas. With so-called shaped bricks, the most decorative designs with unfinished building materials can be created. These come with various internal ornaments. Whether as a diamond, in a braid pattern, in the form of a hexagon, or with floral decor–the building materials market offers a wide range of variations and thus plenty of room for creativity in decorating. The special feature: When sunlight falls through a room element made of this unfinished material, it creates a beautiful play of shadows.
Also interesting: Researchers Create Bricks from Waste
Building and Decorating with Clay
In recent years, clay as a building material has received significantly more attention. Our ancestors already built their homes from this special material. And in recent times, more dwellings are being constructed from clay again. Coincidence? Not at all! This material is also considered climate-friendly, ensuring a healthy, pollutant-free home. Therefore, clay is increasingly used in interior design in its unfinished form.
Inspired by designs with Tadelakt, known primarily from the Moroccan region, matte clay constructions are particularly interesting in bathrooms. But as flooring or shelving solutions with irregularly shaped compartments, the material also impressively demonstrates its capabilities.