Natural Materials for a Softer Kind of Home

October 6, 2026

Many Maltese homes are built from stone and concrete, which is wonderful for keeping things cool, but it can leave rooms feeling a little hard-edged. Bringing in natural fibres and handcrafted textures is a simple way to warm things up without adding clutter.

Bringing a little nature indoors

Apartment living often means missing the outdoors more than expected, and one of the easiest fixes is choosing furnishings made from natural materials rather than plastic or glossy finishes. IKEA's EKENABBEN open shelving unit has a raw, woody character that suits exposed stone walls and whitewashed rooms alike, while the GRINSBOL mirror adds texture without feeling heavy on a small hallway wall.

For softer touches, the FLÅDIS basket and LUSTIGKURRE basket are practical for storing anything from spare linen to children's toys, and their woven surfaces bring warmth to rooms that can otherwise feel cool and clinical during Malta's hotter months. The KAPPELAND pendant lamp shade and NÄVLINGE LED clamp spotlight are worth considering for layering light in a way that feels natural rather than stark, particularly in open-plan living areas common in newer builds.

LUSTIGKURRE basket, natural water hyacinth/seagrass, 32x33x32 cm

UTÅKER stackable bed, pine, 80x200 cm, 2 pack

KAPPELAND pendant lamp shade, rattan, 45 cm

GRINSBOL mirror, rattan, 55 cm

EKENABBEN open shelving unit, aspen/white, 70x34x86 cm

FLÅDIS basket, seagrass, 25 cm

Shop Storage boxes & baskets

Handmade touches worth adding to any room

Once the larger pieces are in place, it is the smaller handcrafted details that really give a room its character. IKEA's BEKNA basket and BULLIG box are useful for keeping surfaces tidy in compact bedrooms or hallways, while the LURPASSA box with lid offers a bit more structure for storing items you would rather keep out of sight, such as chargers or paperwork.

Small finishing touches matter too. The HULTET decoration dish is a simple spot for keys or jewellery by the front door, and the SINDAL door mat is a practical first step for homes that open straight onto the street or a shared stairwell, as many townhouses and maisonettes do. A TÖRNBÄR plant pot on a balcony or windowsill, paired with the PENNFISK place mat at the table, rounds out a home that feels lived in rather than showroom perfect.