Growing awareness of the environment and the need to conserve resources has led to a comeback for cork – and not just as flooring, but also as stylish furniture and home accessories. We'll show you what makes the material so special, how to combine it and how to care for it properly.
What you should know about cork:
- Properties and special features of cork
- Ways to use cork
- Combining cork
- Care tips: how to look after cork
- Cork: frequently asked questions
What makes the material special? Properties and features of cork
Cork comes from the bark of the cork oak and has been processed mainly in south-western Europe and north-western Africa since the 2nd century, valued for its many useful properties. Cork is sustainable and made up of very tightly packed cells, which makes it lightweight yet particularly resilient and elastic. It also insulates against heat and sound, is resistant to moisture, flame-retardant and well suited to allergy sufferers. In interiors, though, the material stands out above all for its warm colour and minimalist, natural look, which creates a sense of comfort.
From cork pinboards to stools – ways to use cork
If you'd like to bring cork furniture or home accessories into your home, there are plenty of options. In everyday life, we most often come across cork as stoppers – and even these can become real eye-catchers in elegant glass carafes such as the Melior water carafe by Bodum. Another classic among cork home accessories is the cork pinboard. Practical, simple and beautiful, it not only keeps things organised but also creates a cosy atmosphere in the kitchen, study and beyond.
If you'd like to live with even more cork, choose larger cork accessories or furniture, which instantly give a room a natural, inviting look. Alongside small notepads, storage tins and cork cups – such as Bodum's Bistro mug, which keeps hot drinks warm for a long time and offers a secure grip – stools, side tables and lights made from this rough natural material also impress.
Combining cork
Cork usually comes in a warm, mid-brown wood tone. Depending on how it's processed, the surface can be coarse or fine-grained. With its minimalist, understated yet cosy look, cork suits country-style interiors and understated Scandinavian interiors in particular, combined with white, black, grey and other soft natural tones. It also looks lovely paired with other light and mid-brown woods. A less successful combination: very modern, glamorous interiors with bright colours – here cork quickly gets lost and loses its effect as a natural eye-catcher.
Care tips: how do I clean cork?
Eco-friendly cork is highly resilient and therefore extremely easy to care for. Still, to keep it looking good for a long time, it should be cared for regularly. The easiest way is to wipe your cork furniture and accessories with a dry duster. Although cork is largely waterproof, it can absorb small amounts of water.
For more stubborn dirt, it's best to use a cloth that's only slightly damp and a little mild, pH-neutral cleaning agent. Our tip: apply ordinary soft soap to cork furniture or accessories and leave it to work for about half an hour. Then rinse with a little clean water, and your coasters, stools and more will be free from dirt.
Cork: frequently asked questions
What is cork?
In everyday life, cork usually means the natural material obtained mainly from the bark of the cork oak. The great thing is that harvesting it doesn't harm the tree, because the bark grows back and can be harvested again and again. In nature, cork acts as a protective layer that is very resilient, light, water-repellent and flame-retardant – properties that are also useful in interiors.
Which wall colour goes with cork?
Your cork furniture and accessories look best against a white wall, where the mid-brown material stands out most. Against dark or very colourful walls, the pieces can quickly get lost or make the room look too busy. If you'd still like to add some colour, paint the wall a light grey for a lovely contrast.
What can I use to paint cork?
If the mid-brown shade of cork designs doesn't suit your interior, you can of course paint the pieces a different colour. But bear in mind that you can only paint untreated cork. Paint won't stick to sanded cork with a very smooth surface or to sealed or otherwise treated cork. On untreated cork surfaces, however, all emulsion paints will adhere.
A classic cork pinboard, a carafe with a cork stopper or an entire piece of cork furniture – choose the cork design that best suits you and your interior, and discover the practical qualities of this beautiful natural material for yourself.
