When it comes to creating the perfect home interior design scheme, the latest trend is to use a range of different materials like timber, glass and concrete to give a calming and natural vibe to your home.

Using furniture and other decorative elements you can use this style in your space without it becoming too overwhelming. Here are some tips on how to add a variety of materials to your interior design scheme to create a soothing home experience.

1. Wonderful Wood

Wood is a warm, natural and durable materials which can be used in a huge number of different styles from a more rustic look, to a sleek minimal space. You can also use different types and colours of timber to create a soothing dark space, or go for pale wood for a more Scandinavian style. Timber can be used to create a cozy, warm vibe, and if you are concerned about sustainability and the environment, wood is a great material to choose. When it is harvested in a sustainable way, timber has great eco-credentials. And as a renewable resource its carbon footprint is relatively small as well.

Timber Furniture

An easy way to add wood to your interior design scheme is via the use of timber furniture. You can choose to use solid, all-wood pieces, or for a lighter look, go for furniture pieces that feature wooden accents.

The timber table and chairs in this Upper Boon Keng apartment act as a highlight in an otherwise monotone interior design scheme. Using pale timber as an accent can create a calm and relaxed home interior design scheme.

Image credit: Briey Interior

If you want to add more texture and a slightly more rustic feel to your interior design scheme, opt for darker toned timber features like the ones in this Eng Kong Terrace bathroom.

Image credit: Free Space Intent

Ornamental, but practical, pieces

When you are adding the final touches to your home decor, look for wooden accessories like kitchenware, decorative objects and even storage options like open shelving. A touch of timber will warm up any space making it more aesthetically pleasing but remaining practical to use.

Image credit: Fifth Avenue Interior

Wooden details like the chopping board and salt ‘n’ pepper shakers in this Upper Boon Keng apartment kitchen bring a touch of warmth to the otherwise all-white space.

Image credit: Briey Interior

Bold installations

Timber is also a fantastic material to use to create features in your home. From stunning stairs, doors and room dividers, to true statement pieces like a feature wall, wood can become the centrepiece of a home interior design scheme.

This stunning pale timber room divider not only creates different zones for eating and living, but also acts as a statement piece, adding interest to an otherwise minimalist interior design scheme.

Image credit: StyleMySpace Pte Ltd

Timber has been used to create a stylish feature wall in this Chua Chu Kang space; the graphic lines add depth to the space while the colour of the wood adds warmth.

Image credit: Neu Konceptz

2. Clever Concrete

Although concrete is often seen as being a more industrial material, it has now developed into a popular material for home interiors. Concrete looks great, is super practical, robust and long-lasting, adds texture, is versatile, and comes in a wide range of subtle and muted colours.

Fabulous features

An entirely concrete walled home might be a little overwhelming for some of us, so consider only using it on selected feature walls as an interior design statement like this Bedok South living space.

Image credit: Dyel Design

The living and dining space of this Clementi apartment uses a concrete texture to separate the various zones of the open plan room.

Image credit: KDOT Associates

Concrete Furniture

Concrete doesn’t just have to go on your walls. With lots of new finishes that have a concrete effect like various laminates and textured boards, you can now create home features like storage that have a concrete look to them. The study storage section of this Bukit Timah Road apartment is a great example of a concrete feature.

Image credit: Black N White Haus Interior

Another fantastic way to add the concrete theme to your interior design scheme is to use it as a countertop in your kitchen or bathrooms. The waterfall countertop in this Bukit Batok apartment is a great example of how concrete can be used in your home design.

Image credit: Posh Living Interior Design

3. Glorious Glass

Glass as a decorative detail or feature of an interior design scheme is a classic favourite. Glass can create the illusion of more light and more space; used correctly it can even help you cut your electricity bill. While mirrored glass is commonly used to create feature walls and glass walls are also popular, you can also use glass for decorative items and furniture to add a sense of elegance and modernity to your home interior design style.

Doors and Dividers

Internal glass walls, like the ones in this Pasir Ris apartment allow spaces to be closed off to reduce noise, while not restricting sight-lines or the ability for sunlight to enter the space.

Image credit: The Design Practice

The addition of tinted glass between the entry and living space of this Woodlands apartment creates a separation of zones without disrupting the overall sight-lines and open plan of the space.

Image credit: 19 Eighty Three

The same concept of tinted glass was also used in the master bedroom to separate the sleeping area from the walk-in-wardrobe.

Image credit: 19 Eighty Three

The practical qualities of glass come into play when used to separate a sleeping space from an ensuite bathroom, like in this Hougang apartment. Keeping the moisture of the bathroom from your clothes and bedding is a good idea.

Image credit: Fifth Avenue Interior

As is common in many Singapore apartments, the internal glass walls and doors in this Sumang Lane apartment are used to separate activities from each other, but to not restrict the amount of natural sunlight that enters into the home.

Image credit: KDOT Associates

Marvellous mirrors

It has long been known that using mirrors in your home interior design scheme will help to create the illusions of larger spaces, more natural light and a link to the outdoors. This apartment perfectly proves the point.