Natural materials can quickly add warmth and personality to a space. Usually, they’re more durable and longer-lasting than their plastic counterparts, and hey, they’re way better for the environment. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to change the look and feel of your kitchen but making some of these changes, they can have a huge impact on the vibe of your space, which contributes to your overall well-being.
Here are some natural materials you can incorporate into your kitchen to add a little sparkle:
Table linens
Never underestimate small touches… Protect your surfaces and get the Instagram-look with round rattan placemats and accompany them with washed linen napkins. Napkins are not only more environmentally friendly, but they also look better, too. If you regularly host dinners at your house (when we’re not in a lockdown!), you can invest in a natural table runner too, to protect your table jugs of water, and whatever else, you’d place in the middle of your table.
White quartz worktop
Choosing a natural work surface can be tricky but white quartz worktop is quickly becoming a popular kitchen choice. Quartz is a non-porous material, its texture does not allow bacteria to grow and resists stains, protecting your family and making kitchen clean-up easy. It’s one of the earth’s hardest minerals at only three levels below the hardness of diamond, so it won’t chip or crack either, making it a great investment. This means you can get the white gloss kitchen without the hassle.
Marble chopping board
Marble cutting boards are known for being one of the most hygienic forms of cutting boards. Thanks to their non-porous material, they’re able to keep the bacteria and germs from penetrating through the surface. Another of their advantages is the ease of cleaning, in part due to this non-porous quality. Invest in large slab of marble to instantly elevate your kitchen, it’s a worthy investment and will stand the test of time.
Handcrafted tiles
Nothing compares to the beauty of a true handmade clay tile. The slight imperfections and textures on the surface of the tile will add an element of class and sophistication, elevating your kitchen. Handmade tiles can offer the warmth of a traditional style, whilst remaining contemporary in a modern kitchen. Bespoke tiles can also mean you have the option to design your kitchen exactly how you want it, from the size, shape and colour. This is exactly what I’m doing in my ceramics class at the moment and it’s so therapeutic – see this tutorial.
Artisan serving planks
Adding wood to a kitchen is another way to add warmth to a kitchen, quickly and easily without spending much money. Oversized acacia wood serving planks serve as both practical and decorative kitchen additions, without taking up much space for even the smallest spaces. Buying individually crafted serving planks has ended up becoming something of an obsession. There’s so many on Etsy!
Garden kitchen
Growing herbs in your kitchen is a cost-effective and simple way to have a steady supply of herbs for cooking. They don’t require much effort, and they look great, too. Even if you aren’t very green-fingered, or if you’ve got a dark kitchen, you can buy a grow kit online ! You’ll never have to buy herbs again, and it’ll add some extra flavour to your dishes. Not to mention they look really cool, too.
