Choosing Natural Materials for Your Home

Natural materials bring warmth and character to any room, but choosing the right ones takes a little thought. Here is a practical look at pine, mixed materials and hardwearing finishes, and how each can work well in compact homes.

The versatility of solid pine

Pine is one of those materials that can be left untreated for a raw, honest look, or painted and stained to suit a different style entirely. The IVAR cabinet shows off pine in its natural state, with visible grain and a simple, sturdy construction that works well in a hallway, bedroom or small home office. Nothing about it feels fussy, which makes it easy to fit into a smaller room without overwhelming the space.

Alongside furniture, pine and other woods show up in smaller accessories too. The BEGÄRLIG vase and CYLINDER vase both bring natural texture to a shelf or windowsill, while a FLÅDIS basket is useful for corralling anything from magazines to spare cushions. Together, these pieces let you bring warmth into a room without committing to a full furniture change.

IVAR cabinet, pine, 80x30x83 cmBEGÄRLIG vase, clear glass, 29 cmCYLINDER vase, set of 3, clear glassFLÅDIS basket, seagrass, 25 cmLILLVIKEN water trap/strainer 1 bowl, 32x90 cmRÄNNILEN water trap w flexible pipe, 1 bowl

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Pairing materials for a layered feel

A room built entirely from one material can start to feel flat, so it is worth mixing things up. Pairing a cooler material like steel with something warmer, such as rattan, creates a bit of visual tension that keeps a space interesting rather than predictable. The ULRIKSBERG armchair does exactly this, combining a steel frame with a woven rattan seat and back, giving it a lighter, more open feel than a fully upholstered chair.

This approach works particularly well in apartments and smaller living rooms, where every piece needs to earn its place. A chair like this can sit comfortably in a reading corner or beside a balcony door without closing the room in. Add a BEGÄRLIG vase nearby and you have a simple way to echo the same mix of textures elsewhere in the room.

ULRIKSBERG armchair, rattan/anthracite, 67x76x74 cmBEGÄRLIG vase, clear glass, 29 cmDYVLINGE swivel easy chair, Kelinge orange, 63x68x75 cmDYVLINGE swivel easy chair, Kelinge black, 63x68x75 cmAGEN chair, rattan/bamboo, 58x79x56 cmDYVLINGE swivel easy chair, Kelinge green, 63x68x75 cm

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Materials built for daily wear and tear

Some pieces need to cope with daily use, so it makes sense to choose materials that can take it. Tougher woods such as acacia hold up well to knocks and spills, which is why the SMÅÄTA chopping board is a sensible choice for a busy kitchen, alongside practical storage like the KORKEN jar with lid for pantry staples. A NEREBY s-hook adds an easy way to hang utensils or towels without taking up worktop space.

Lighting also benefits from the same hardwearing approach. The MISTERHULT pendant lamp and NYMÅNE wall/reading lamp both suit kitchens and living areas where fittings get used every day, while the BJÖRKSNÄS bedside table brings a similarly sturdy feel to the bedroom. In Malta's warm, humid climate, materials that resist wear tend to stay looking good for longer.

SMÅÄTA chopping board, acacia, 72x28 cmKORKEN jar with lid, clear glass, 1 lKORKEN jar with lid, clear glass, 2 lKORKEN jar with lid, clear glass, 1.8 lNEREBY s-hook, white, 5 packNEREBY rail, birch, 60 cm

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Maltashopper brings these pieces to homes across Malta and Gozo, making it simple to furnish compact spaces with materials built to last.

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