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It’s easy to take wood interiors for granted. Whether it’s kitchen cabinets, paneled walls, or ceiling beams, the general consensus—unless you live in a rustic cabin—has been to shroud wood with paint. But it looks like the pros are ready to put their brushes down. A new survey from Thumbtack that polled 48 professionals ranging from contractors to designers reported that 80% of them say natural wood will be one of the most-used materials in 2025.
Time to think about the full possibilities that natural, unpainted wood can play in a home—even if you aren’t staring down a home project, it’s fun to daydream.
Layer Wood Walls, Furniture, and Frames
The bedroom in this South African home is a centerpiece, but look closer and you’ll find that the many wood details set the scene. We love the layering that happens naturally, such as the partly painted bench that buddies up against the plain bedroom wall underneath a work of art also framed in—what else?—blond wood.
Disguise Your Staircase
Being inside designer Eliza Gran’s New York home is like living in a never-ending golden hour. Take note of how the stairs seem to melt into the room, thanks to a wood construction that matches the walls. It makes the space feel even bigger.
Add Texture With Slats
The oak kitchen in this Brooklyn brownstone shows just how much this type of wood can soften a room. Wood slats on the underside of the counter dining space add some personality, which is subtly repeated with deep-set cabinetry.
Create a Checkerboard Effect
You can totally skip artwork if you’ve got a massive set of panels anchoring your space. The living room in this Montauk reno is a good example—the plywood checkerboard commands just the right amount of attention.
Go All in on Plywood
Artist Bethany Brill is the queen of plywood, and the ceiling over the common space in her Costa Mesa, California, family home is a true masterpiece. The material is repeated in some way across most of the rooms, but the TV wall is a vision.