Collaborative post
Cork is a wonderfully versatile natural material, and as such it’s becoming a more and more popular choice for home products.
With designers and architects leading the way, we can now choose from a wide range of cork products and building materials. For example, sustainable homeware store Portuguese Treasures has over 100 cork products to inspire your home decor.
What is cork?
Cork is a layer of bark harvested from the cork oak tree. The harvesting process does not cause permanent damage, and the tree will produce new bark which can be harvested again. This process repeats itself around 15 times over the life of the tree.
Cork is biodegradable, recyclable, and 100% natural, making it an excellent choice for eco-conscious interiors.
Benefits of using cork products
As well as these impressive eco credentials, there are other benefits to using cork products in your home:
- Durability: Cork is hard-wearing, heat resistant, and moisture resistant. This makes it a good option for busy home environments.
- Versatility: Cork can be used to make a wide variety of products, from home accessories to wall and floor coverings.
- Looks: Cork products can look really fantastic, providing texture and visual interest in a home setting. Due to the fact that cork is a natural material, every piece is also unique.
- Healthy: Cork is naturally anti-microbial and releases extremely low levels of VOCs (volatile organic compounds), which means it can help to keep your home environment healthy.
- Environmentally friendly: As we’ve already discussed, cork is a sustainable and eco-friendly material.
8 ways to use cork in your home
Let’s take a look at eight great ways you can use cork in your home and take advantage of these benefits.
1. Notice boards
This is probably the most well-known use for cork in the home. A cork pinboard is a low-cost, convenient way to organise your office or family life. You can opt for plain, or add patterns and decorative pins for extra impact.
2. Tableware
Cork is a great material for table mats, coasters and pot stands. It can cope with hot dishes, it doesn’t absorb water easily, and it can be cut to a range of shapes and sizes.
The rustic nature of cork tableware works really well with other products that are made from natural materials, such as this olive wood bowl.
3. Bath mats
As with tableware, cork is an ideal material for bath mats due to its minimal water absorption. It’s also non-slip, which is crucial when stepping out of the bath or shower.
Add in the fact that cork also has anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties, and you might be wondering why you’ve never had a cork bathmat before!
4. Desk accessories
Need to stop your laptop slipping around on your desk? A cork desk pad could be the answer. Pair it with a cork mouse mat for a co-ordinated look.
5. Crafts & DIY
If crafting is your thing, cork can come in handy here, too. You can buy it in rolls and use it to create collages, 3D artwork, fridge magnets, greetings cards, gift tags, and more.
You can also use cork roll to line drawers and shelves, providing a non-slip finish.
6. Walls
This use for cork in the home takes the pinboard idea a step further. Cork wall tiles or sheets can be used to cover walls, providing a modern focal point or a supersized notice board area. Keep it simple, or add colour, texture and patterns for extra wow factor.
Using cork on the walls in your home can also help to absorb sound and make your indoor environment more serene.
7. Flooring
Cork can also be used to create low-maintenance flooring. You can buy interlocking panels that are easy to install and offer a stylish, water resistant and hard-wearing finish, while also helping to soundproof and insulate your home.
8. Insulation
Cork is a natural thermal insulator, which means it can help to retain heat in your home. Using cork underlay beneath flooring and in ceilings can cut down on heat loss and make your home more energy efficient.
As you can see, when it comes to using cork in your home, there are lots of options to suit every budget. By incorporating this sustainable material in accessories and decor, you can create a more eco-friendly and healthy home environment while also adding a natural touch to your interior style.
Pin for later: great ways to use cork in your home
The post 8 brilliant ways to use cork in your home appeared first on Growing Family.
