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9 Ways to Use Wood Accents to Create the Most Inviting Homes

It really is the most versatile material, and we have real-life proof!

In our books, one of the best ways to add warmth and depth into your home is through the use of wood accents. They are not only durable, they make a house feel more like a home – cosy and liveable.

Canberra Street by Urban Home Design 二本設計家
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That said, there’s a trick to acing it. You’ll have to balance out the look with neutral-coloured focal points to prevent your interiors from looking too heavy. Here are 9 perfect examples that nailed down the look!


1. You can’t overdo it when it comes to using wood. The key is to vary the types of wood grain, colour gradient and textures used. The result is a home full of character warmth. Switch between warm and cool lighting for different effects

Fernvale Road by The Interior Lab
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Fernvale Road by The Interior Lab
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Explore: This Designer’s Tidy 4-Room Flat Hides Everything with Wood

2. Balance out the dark wood flooring by keeping the surroundings light. Take cues from this home. The absence of a feature wall, coupled with a white ceiling makes the interiors look more spacious. Use throw pillows or lay out tiles in a herringbone pattern to break up the monotony.

Bedok North Street 4 by ELPIS Interior Design
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Bedok North Street 4 by ELPIS Interior Design
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Bedok North Street 4 by ELPIS Interior Design
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3. Avid book readers would appreciate this expertly designed, floor-to-ceiling book shelf. What’s really cool about it is that the shaker cabinet handles are all crafted from wood. Because of this, it looks almost seamless but still remains functional!

iNZ Residence by Authors • Interior & Styling
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iNZ Residence by Authors • Interior & Styling
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iNZ Residence by Authors • Interior & Styling
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iNZ Residence by Authors • Interior & Styling
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4. The beauty about using wood is its versatility. For one, you can use it to highlight areas within your home, much like how warm wood is employed for both the open shelves as well as the settee area here.

Or switch your application! The wood-grain bathroom tiles have been laid out vertically, creating the illusion of a taller ceiling height.

Bukit Batok West Avenue 8 by ChengYi Interior Design
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Bukit Batok West Avenue 8 by ChengYi Interior Design
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Bukit Batok West Avenue 8 by ChengYi Interior Design
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Bukit Batok West Avenue 8 by ChengYi Interior Design
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5. Sometimes, what you need is a hero piece that can make all the difference. In this case, there are two: the woody feature wall, and the raised platform that doubles as a neat little retreat. Pops of colour are introduced in the form of green plants.

Circuit Road by Arche Interior
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Circuit Road by Arche Interior
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Circuit Road by Arche Interior
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Circuit Road by Arche Interior
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6. Stains and tones may vary too. In fact, you can swap them out depending on the your room’s function. Wood with a darker stain, for instance, looks warmer. Therefore, it works better when used in a bedroom, especially when you want to make it feel cosy and lived-in.

In fact, wood complements a variety of other materials including tiles. You can combine them for a unique look – this Japanese home bears testament to that!

Tampines Street 61 by Lemonfridge Studio
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Tampines Street 61 by Lemonfridge Studio
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Tampines Street 61 by Lemonfridge Studio
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Tampines Street 61 by Lemonfridge Studio
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Explore: 8 Japanese-style Homes to Give MUJI a Run for Their Money

7. Not every home can pull off incorporating so much wood! But you can do so if your space has plenty access to natural light. The combination of glass windows and walls keeps this home looking spacious and airy, making it feel less heavy despite all the built-ins.

The Trilinq by Metier Planner
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The Trilinq by Metier Planner
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The Trilinq by Metier Planner
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The Trilinq by Metier Planner
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8. Spend a lot of time in the kitchen? Induce some cosiness with wooden cabinets and display shelves! Apart from white, you can even pair wood with concrete screed for a more pared-down look, as pictured.

Punggol Central by Butler Interior
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Punggol Central by Butler Interior
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9. Then there’s the added benefit of storage as well. Your wood accents can easily double as storage solutions. Here, both the raised platform and bedframe have been tricked out with compartments! It makes for a really nifty way to get more space to work with, even if you’re living in a small home.

Canberra Street by Urban Home Design 二本設計家
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Canberra Street by Urban Home Design 二本設計家
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Canberra Street by Urban Home Design 二本設計家
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Canberra Street by Urban Home Design 二本設計家
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