Natural Elements for a Calmer Living Room

October 6, 2026

Natural textures bring a quiet, grounded feel to any living room, which matters in Maltese homes where space is often compact and light is strong. A few considered pieces in rattan, paper cord and woven fibre can soften a room without cluttering it.

Letting natural textures do the talking

A living room filled with hard surfaces, tiled floors, glass, plastered walls, can feel cold even in the warmer months. Introducing woven and natural materials softens this without adding visual clutter, which suits smaller apartments and maisonettes where every piece needs to earn its place.

IKEA's FLÅDIS basket works well for throws, magazines or children's toys, keeping them tidy without looking clinical. KUNGSFORS net bag adds a practical, rustic touch for storing fruit or odds and ends in a kitchen corner that opens onto the living space. For bedside storage with the same natural warmth, VIKHAMMER bedside table pairs timber tones with simple lines, while SMARRA box with lid keeps smaller items out of sight on a shelf.

VIKHAMMER bedside table, white, 40x39 cm

SMARRA box with lid, natural, 30x30x23 cm

KUNGSFORS net bag, set of 2, natural

FLÅDIS basket, seagrass, 25 cm

BRANÄS basket, rattan, 32x34x32 cm

LABBSAL basket, handmade water hyacinth, 32x34x32 cm

Shop Storage boxes & baskets

Plants and pots that bring the outdoors in

Greenery makes a real difference to how a room feels, especially during the long, humid summer stretch when windows stay shut for air conditioning. A well-chosen plant pot does more than hold soil, it sets the tone for the whole corner of the room.

FRIDFULL plant pot and KLYNNON plant pot both bring an earthy, handmade look that suits rattan furniture or a plain painted wall. DRUVFLÄDER hanging planter is a good option where floor space is tight, letting trailing plants add height and interest from above. For lighting with a similarly organic feel, TORARED pendant lamp shade softens the light in the evening, while IKEA 365+ carafe with stopper keeps water on hand for topping up pots without a trip back to the kitchen.