Cork Home Decor: An Environmentally Responsible Choice

Cork home decor – is it something you’ve considered for your home? If you’re looking for a material that’s natural, recyclable, renewable and has 100% eco-friendly credentials, then step forward cork. Not limited to the necks of wine bottles, cork is naturally insulating and helps add warmth and texture to your home. There are lots of ways you can use cork home decor to create style and interest in your home, whilst also being environmentally responsible.

What is cork?

Cork is actually the bark of a tree! In fact, it’s the bark of the Quercus suber or cork oak (yes, it’s a type of oak!). It’s made of a honeycomb structure filled with microscopic air bubbles, which means it has insulating and sound-reducing qualities. Remove the bark from any other tree, and it would die. Cork trees are unique in that you can remove most of the bark, and the tree doesn’t mind at all – in fact, the bark grows back on a nine-year cycle making the whole process sustainable. Cork can only be cut by hand using a specially-shaped axe, and it’s a very skilled job as the worker needs to remove only the bark without touching the trunk of the tree. Cork oaks have a lifespan of around two to three hundred years and can be harvested every nine years starting from the age of 25. Once harvested, the planks are cured outside, steamed to remove bugs and then cured again before use.

What are the benefits of cork home decor?

We’ve mentioned the insulating properties, but it’s also a breathable and natural material which is free from chemicals and synthetic resins. It’s ideal for anyone with asthma or allergies as it’s non-shedding, easy to clean and naturally resistant to mould and mildew. So it’s really beneficial to use for cork home decor ideas.

What can cork be used for in the home?

This material is endlessly versatile. Forget cork noticeboards and the dreary flooring tiles of the 1970s, cork has a wide range of uses in the modern home. Use it on the walls and floor to reduce noise and add warmth, or in a range of furnishings and accessories.

Hit the North cork ‘wallpaper’, The Monkey Puzzle Tree

Printed on sustainable cork, ‘Hit The North’ is the work of graphic artist Drew Millward. Best known for designing posters for rock bands such as Foo Fighters and Arctic Monkeys, Drew created this Modernist-inspired cork wallpaper celebrating the creativity and industry of the north of England. It costs £192 per metre and is available from The Monkey Puzzle Tree.

People and Planet Design Bisque cork flooring, Carpetright

Add sound and thermal insulation to your home with this cork flooring with the appearance of wooden planks for a look that complements any space. Biodegradable and recyclable, it’s a great environmentally friendly option and is backed by a 10 year manufacturer’s wear warranty. Was £69.99 now £48.99 per metre squared, available from Carpetright.

Trove deep square box, David Irwin

The Trove is a series of minimal cork boxes for organising and storing everyday objects. Made from natural and sustainable cork for a warm and tactile finish, this modular stacking system is constructed from minimal components that seamlessly slot and stack together. Construct a personal storage composition to keep your desktop organised and clutter free. This deep square box is part of a range and costs £14 from Case.

Cork home decor stool, Cuckooland

With nothing for contrast, this photo looks just like a pair of champagne corks – but the corks actually measure 50cm tall and weigh 12kg! Modelling to look like the real thing, this Champagne cork stool is a really fun piece of cork home decor. It’s equivalent to 1,300 real bottle corks in weight and is 110 times bigger. Made from natural Portuguese cork this sturdy stool will bring a smile to your face. £164, available from Cuckooland. 

Discover more cork home decor ideas in our Cork Comeback post.

Main image shows the Carpetright People And Planet Natural Classic White Cork Flooring

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