Bamboo is proving a popular trend for interiors again in 2021 as it is inexpensive, simple to use, very stylish and eco-friendly. Bamboo evokes a natural feeling of summer on a tropical island and is instantly relaxing! No wonder it is popular! If you would like some inspiration on how to add bamboo style to your home, read on!
1. Clever ways with bamboo fencing.
Bamboo fencing is great for the garden, but can also be used very effectively in the home, office areas and In your home, you can use a bamboo partition to divide your lounge and dining area, to introduce a luxurious ambiance and make an eye-catching focus. In the bathroom a bamboo partition can be used to separate the shower area or toilet. A bamboo partition can also be successfully used to divide a children’s bedroom to give them both their private space.
To achieve ‘the look’, the bamboo can be set in concrete in long plant troughs and when the concrete is dry, a layer of natural pebbles can be poured on top to conceal the concrete. Choose lighter coloured bamboo poles to lighten a darkly coloured area.
2. Invest in some bamboo blinds
To continue the island feeling evoked by bamboo, add some bamboo blinds to the windows or choose some curtains with bamboo-print fabric. If you are not overlooked you can make an innovative plant display out of three or four pieces of bamboo of the same length, with a piece cut out to fit a small plant pot. The bamboo is then hung vertically at equal distances and suspended from just above your window. The holes can be filled with small trailing plants or fresh herbs.
3. Decorate a bare wall
A clever way to add character to a bare wall is to line it with bamboo as this will totally transform the room and there is something about bamboo that makes it very soothing. It is best to use split bamboo canes as these have one flat side which makes it easier to fix them to the wall. For a large area, bamboo panelling is very effective and can be used on the ceiling too. Bamboo comes in a variety of colours from light natural bamboo to shades of dark mahogany – your choice!
4. Add a bamboo framed mirror
!Adding a large mirror to a plain wall always transforms the room as it reflects light, making the room brighter. You can buy such a mirror, but it is not difficult to use some split bamboo to make a frame and of course this works for wall pictures and photographs too.
5. Choose the perfect colour theme
Bamboo creates a natural feeling in any room and this is easy to mirror with your soft furnishings. Armchairs and sofas in cream, terracotta and green are perfect and cushions with palm tree designs or leafy patterns develop the theme. Watch out in charity shops, eBay and similar, for a large bamboo chair. This is the ideal choice and you will find it surprisingly light, sturdy and comfortable. Alternatively if you have a colour scheme you love in your home, get out the paintbrush and paint your bamboo to match!
6. Choose a bamboo coffee table
There are a variety of bamboo styles of tables that are perfect for your home or a waiting area at work. Some coffee tables have glass panels and others are made from slatted bamboo which is smooth enough for a tray of drinks.
7. Bamboo shelves are practical
Bamboo shelving is not only fashionable, but also very practical. You can find three and four tier shelf units and to keep things tidy, you can add natural woven or hessian baskets. The shelves will prove useful in any room in your home and your bamboo theme can be developed by dedicating one of the shelves to a display of seashells and driftwood.
8. Bamboo is perfect for towel rails
Bamboo is the perfect material for creating a versatile towel rail for use at home in your kitchen or bathroom or at work. The idea is simple and very practical. As well as traditional styled towel rails, the new ladder style works really well when space is tight. These are straight forward to make too –
9. Add some other bamboo accessories
There are plenty of bamboo products on the market because bamboo is environmentally friendly and is a sustainable crop. Amongst the accessories you will see are over-sized lampshades, stools and magazine racks. If you are adding a bamboo screen to your bedroom, a bamboo headboard will complement it perfectly. If you enjoy DIY projects, you will find some inspirational ideas online:
10. A pot of bamboo for the finishing touch!
This year, indoor plants are big news and what better idea than adding a pot of bamboo to your home or office? You can buy small single bamboo shoots and several in a container can look good on a mantelpiece. You can get larger displays of several pieces of bamboo that are eye-catching for a desk or coffee table, but why not celebrate bamboo big time with a huge leafy tree? You can place your tree to add interest to a dull corner or as a dramatic feature and focus to your room.
To ensure that your bamboo always looks in perfect condition and maintains its size and shape, why not choose a pot of artificial bamboo? A large pot of leafy bamboo will bring instant colour and life to any setting and looks perfect in one of this season’s natural textured or metallic pots. Why not give your home a new look, with the garden vibe of bamboo?
- Next month we look at ways to use bamboo creatively outside in your garden – and its not just as a plant trellis!