The Many Uses For Reclaimed Barnwood

There’s no denying that real, natural hardwood has a warmth, depth, and attractiveness that’s hard to duplicate in other materials. Wood can be used on nearly any surface inside and outside of the home, and can be molded and shaped in almost countless ways.

But, new, freshly harvested wood comes at a big environmental price. And new wood often lacks the same dimension, character, and interest that older, aged wood has. For this reason, materials such as barnwood – wood that has been reclaimed from old barns and given new use in other areas – are becoming increasingly popular among homeowners and business owners alike. 

Barnwood is taken from buildings that predate the 1930s, so it’s already been in use for more than 100 years. Cleaned, refinished, and repurposed, this reclaimed wood can last another 100 years as well.

Old barn wood has a rich patina and aged finish from years of weathering that can’t be duplicated with new wood. It also has many of the original wear marks on its surface that tell its story and history to the viewer. Installing it anywhere in your interior design or as unique home decor pieces can add instant personality, character, and charm to the area. Take a look at the many uses of barnwood to see how it may be possible to use it in your home.

Variation

One of the things that needs to be kept in mind when using barnwood in your interior design is the level of variation it may include. Reclaimed wood can be taken from many different sites and be made of many species of wood, as well as having different ages, natural weathering and levels of use.

So, the old barn wood you install in or on your home will include some degree of variation. This may mean color variation, with some pieces displaying more patina than others. It may also include weathering variation, with some pieces showing nail holes or saw marks, and others being worn smooth.

It’s these variations that help make old barn wood so beautiful and so versatile. It won’t look like the newer woods you’ll find at your local hardwood store, and that’s part of its appeal. While you may be able to select lighter or darker wood, keep in mind that any barnwood you receive will have some variation included in its color and surface texture.

Uses For Reclaimed Barnwood

The important thing to keep in mind is that barnwood is wood. It can be used nearly anywhere that other types of wood can be installed, including both inside and outside of your home. The only difference is the rich history and appearance that barnwood brings with it. From coffee tables to dining tables and even a homemade headboard, barnwood can be used for a variety of diy projects. Discover some of the common uses for barnwood to find inspiration for using this rustic looking wood in your interior. 

Hardwood Flooring

The rich patina of barnwood makes it an ideal flooring material for rustic, cottage, and farmhouse style homes. The variation in color and texture on the wood floor brings a lot of interest to the room. It also pairs well with other woods and wood tones; there is so much variation in the color of the wood flooring that it allows for greater use of different colors and shades within the same room, while still maintaining a cohesive look.

Barnwood Floors Are Both Tough and Attractive

Rich Warm Tones Speak To Years Of Use

Milled Paneling

Reclaimed wood wall and ceiling panels have been growing in popularity over the last several years. This is a great way to add some character and interest to a room, while creating an accent area at the same time. Barnwood can be turned into milled paneling that can be installed anywhere you want to add the warmth and interest of aged wood.

Deep Patina Warms The Space

Barnwood Is An Inviting Choice

Reclaimed Siding

Many sources of barnwood are from the exterior barn siding that once covered the barn. That same barn siding can be used again to cover the exterior of your home. Reclaimed barnwood siding may still have some of the red color of the barn, as well as the weathered patina that old wood is so well known for, bringing instant character and curb appeal to your home.

A True Piece Of American History

Finding A New Home Is The Perfect Fit

Hand Hewn Beams

Another part of the barn that can be reclaimed and reused in its entirety is the beams. Hand hewn beams that have been used inside the barn have many years of use left in them. They’re perfect for adding support to soffits and rafters, or for adding as accent or support to your interior ceilings.These hand hewn beams have the original chisel and saw marks, giving them a lot of interest and personality.

Solid Hand Hewn Beams Add The Perfect Look

Organizing The Beams Into A Grid Completes The Look

Rough Sawn Wood Shelves

Smaller pieces of reclaimed barnwood can also get a lot of use. These rough sawn wood shelves offer a small accent, as well as a lot of useful storage. Install them inside niches like these, or directly out in the open in the room itself. Either way, the wood shelves are designed to be both beautiful and functional.

Shelves Can Be Built In Or Floating

There Are Many Sizes And Shapes Available

Reclaimed Wood Projects

More and more, crafty homeowners are finding unique home decor projects to create out of barnwood and old pallets. These crafts have increased in popularity over the years and are likely the subject of many Pinterest boards! There are a variety of ways to repurpose this old wood and give it new life in your home. Some ideas to consider are coffee tables, coasters, picture frames and wall art. 

Where to Buy The Highest Quality Reclaimed Barnwood

Quality is the key to successfully using reclaimed lumber in your home. Ordering from Elmwood Reclaimed Timber ensures you get only the best quality barnwood available. They hand select, clean, manufacture, and finish all orders to ensure that you receive the best quality reclaimed wood products. Visit Elmwood Reclaimed Timber today to find out more about the types of wood they offer, and to add a little history to your next home improvement project.