When it comes to interior design, there are few materials that are as beloved as wood. Natural wood has a character, grain, and patina that is unmatched by any synthetic or engineered material. It’s versatile enough to be used nearly anywhere in your home.
Reclaimed wood is a natural alternative to new wood materials and products that is also much more environmentally friendly. Reclaimed wood is natural wood that has been salvaged from old barns, urban warehouses and industrial buildings. These aged hardwoods are removed from these settings, refinished, and given a new life that cannot be replicated by modern wood production. The wood shows the history, patina, and marks of its previous use, which gives it a uniquely beautiful, interesting finish and one-of-a-kind appearance.
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Reclaimed wood can be used anywhere that new wood products can be installed, and it brings instant character and charm to any room design. Check out these 31 reclaimed wood interior design ideas to see what’s possible to create in your home design with this unique and versatile material.
1. CONTRASTING BEAMS
Ceiling beams add dimension and depth to a room, as well as interest to the “fifth wall”. Reclaimed wood ceiling beams have all the strength and support of new beams, but with a softer, aged finish from previous use. And unlike new beams, which are often hollow boxes, reclaimed hand-hewn beams are solid, giving you many more years of use.
2. WOOD CEILING
Wood is often used on floors and sometimes on walls, but it also makes a beautiful finish for the ceiling as well. Installed with reclaimed wood beams for depth, this wood ceiling makes a stunning statement, particularly in rooms with tall walls. The rich patina of the reclaimed wood adds instant warmth to the room as well.
3. STAIRS AND TREADS
Wood stairs have long been used in traditional home designs. These reclaimed wood stair treads get new use where they can be a functional staircase and as a decorative design element that connects all communal areas in your home.
4. FACE FRAME
Sometimes the best way to accent an area is to give it a frame to call attention to it. This stone fireplace is set forth slightly in the room with a rustic, reclaimed wood beam frame. The wood matches up beautifully with the rustic ceiling beams and doors which complements the stone base at the same time.
5. RUSTIC SUPPORT
One of the nicest things about reclaimed wood is the way that it shows its past use. You can bring more history and character into your home just by installing some rustic wood beams. Rustic finish reclaimed wood often shows things like saw marks, patina, and nail holes that will give your home instant charm.
6. CABINET CONTRAST
Reclaimed wood has a personality and color that differs from what you can find in newly made wood products. This can add some dramatic contrast to a room that features different wood materials. In this kitchen, the dark wood beams create long lines that visually stretch the room, while adding contrast to the color of the cabinetry.
7. COTTAGE COMPLEMENT
Older homes, cottages, and bungalows often have a lot of older features and charm already. When you’re renovating, you need to be able to match those features in order to keep the cohesive look of the architecture in place. Reclaimed wood paneling, with its history and patina can be the perfect complement to cottages and older homes that need a little more ambiance.
8. ACCENT BEAM
Uniquely shaped ceilings sometimes get overlooked in a larger interior design scheme. Using a reclaimed hand-hewn wood beam to show off the shape can help get it the attention that it deserves. In this case, the large main beam calls the eye upward, and makes use of the high ceiling height in the rest of the design.
9. RICH WOOD FLOORING
Many reclaimed wood products come from older floors. The wear and patina of an old wood floor is unmatched by anything that can be produced today. Utilizing reclaimed wood flooring in your home brings that richness and depth into the room, elevating the entire design all at once.
10. WIDE PLANK FLOORS
Older wood floors were much more solid than new wood floors installed today. Get the look, character and history of old world floors in your home with reclaimed wide plank flooring. These wide planks have a smooth finish and rich patina that you won’t find in newer, engineered flooring.
11. EXTERIOR SOFFIT AND SIDING
Soffits are used both inside and outside of your home. While modern soffits are usually a carefully finished box, they often lack interest and character. Consider replacing your ordinary soffits and siding with reclaimed wood to get more dimension and charm from your home’s exterior.
12. MODERN BEAM
Reclaimed wood panels made of fitted pieces of wood come in a range of different finishes and styles, including more contemporary looks. Now, you can get the eco-friendly material of reclaimed wood, and still fit in with your modern décor at the same time, like this large, single ceiling beam.
13. RUSTIC DOOR FRAME
Door moldings help define spaces and give them a finished appearance. When a traditional, decorative molding isn’t right for your home, consider using rustic, reclaimed wood framing instead. The uneven edges, patina, and finish add character, while still framing the space and adding definition to the room.
14. ROOM DEFINITION
Homes that have open floor plans often need a little definition to help them make the most of the space visually. This home uses reclaimed wood beams to do just that by lining the ceiling of one area, then using the same beam to outline the doorway between the two spaces, adding just enough definition to separate them, but without putting up a barrier.
15. RUSTIC MODERN COLUMNS
Transitional designs like rustic modern make use of different styles, textures, and materials in one space to create a more fluid design. This home creates a unique look with wood columns made out of concrete and wood with an iron accent. The effect is modern, but with a more interesting and approachable feel.
16. TRADITIONAL CEILING BEAMS
Show off the ceilings in your rustic-style home with reclaimed wood beams. The history, finish, and wear marks on the wood are an instant complement to this style of home; they’ll look as though they’ve always been there, no matter how new the design.
17. COHESIVE WOOD DESIGN
One of the benefits of using wood in your interior designs, is its ability to be used in so many different ways. This home utilizes reclaimed wood in numerous areas, including the wood flooring, beams and ceiling panels. Because all the wood has similar use history and patina, it gives a comfortable, lived-in appearance to the home.
18. OVERSIZED SUPPORT BEAM
Wooden support beams make an interesting alternative to columns. While columns are formal and don’t always match every interior design, rustic wood beams can be used in a wider number of settings, including rustic modern, cottage, farmhouse, and transitional designs.
19. KITCHEN SHELVES
Utilizing wood in your kitchen design makes a beautiful, versatile area. Wood as a design material has been gaining in popularity over the last few years. Because reclaimed wood shelves already have many wear marks, any new usage marks will simply blend in and add to its beauty.
20. BUILT IN FURNITURE
When using a reclaimed wood, consider the possibilities outside of the kitchen. Here, this wood is used as cabinets, shelves and ceiling panels, creating a built-in corner nook. The effect is cozy and pleasing to the eye, as well as functional in the space.
21. UTILITY SINK TOP
Utility sinks are useful in wet bars, laundry rooms, and other areas of the home. Because they don’t get as much use as a kitchen or bathroom sink, they can be more decorative in style. This bar sink uses a beautiful reclaimed wood sink top, and a brick backsplash and a mirror to tie it all together.
22. ISLAND COUNTERTOP
It’s common in many homes to use an island top that either coordinates with or contrasts the counter you use on the perimeter of the room. In this case, the top not only compliments the cabinets, it also blends in beautifully with the wood used on the island base itself.
23. INVITING SEATING AREA
Seating areas at peninsulas like this one are a great way to gain more function in the room. This reclaimed wood top shows a lot of character that makes it an ideal choice for this informal setting near the cooking space. The smooth wood top makes for a perfect place to pull up a stool to while dinner is being prepared.
24. RICH FURNITURE TOP
No matter where it’s used, this table top is sure to gain a lot of use and function, while adding to the style of the kitchen area. This long wood top dining table utilizes a reclaimed wood top. The patina of the top gives it a rich finish that makes it ideal for the area it’s installed in by complementing the design of the space.
25. CONTRAST WOOD DESIGN
One way to make a more dramatic impact on your kitchen design is to contrast your cabinets and your countertop. In this case, a rich wood countertop is used alongside painted cabinetry. The two complement each one well, lending a slightly rustic look to the room, but the contrast between the colors amp up the power of the design.
26. ISLAND FOCUS
Nearly all the colors and finishes in this room are the same – a light, bland painted off white. This makes the choice of the island countertop a really dramatic focal point in the room. The dark patina of the reclaimed wood stands out against the lighter surfaces that surround it, drawing the eye.
27. BUILT IN CABINETRY
Built in shelves and cabinets are a beautiful addition to any room, and in many types of architecture, they’re integral to the design. These cabinets use reclaimed wood, which gives them a character and finish that helps them blend in better with the rest of the room’s design.
28. DINING ROOM
Reclaimed wood doesn’t need to be rustic or have an old appearance; it can also fit in very well with some contemporary dining settings. These ceiling panels have all the richness of antique wood, but their finish enhances the ambiance in this dining room space. Here, they also contrast the stone fireplace, giving a lot of dimension to the room.
29. BEDROOM CEILING
The bed is usually the focal point of any bedroom design. So, consider drawing greater attention to the ceiling design with reclaimed wood panels. The wood draws your eyes up, making the room feel a little cozier, and more comfortable than before.
30. BATHROOM CABINETRY
Another way that reclaimed wood wall panels can be used in contemporary design is to utilize them on the face of your cabinetry. These slab-style doors and drawer fronts are made out of reclaimed wood wall panels. This gives them more texture and interest than new wood, while boasting a rustic look that a modern bathroom needs to pull off its own design style.
31. FIREPLACE MANTEL
Fireplace design is one of the easiest ways to incorporate reclaimed wood in your home design. Made from reclaimed beams, they have a texture and character that is one of a kind and uniquely beautiful. They can really bring the design of the entire room into better focus.
UTILIZE RECLAIMED WOOD FOR A SUSTAINABLE HOME LIFESTYLE
Reclaimed wood brings with it a history, character, and dimension that you won’t find in any other material available on the market today. Take your interior design to the next level by utilizing reclaimed wood products wherever you can use newer wood products and gain that additional comfort in your home.
For more interior wood design inspiration, visit our project gallery to see other creative ways to incorporate reclaimed wood in your home design style.
