When I first fell in love with cork, which was probably back in 2012, I had no idea there were so many ways to use cork at home. It wasn’t until I travelled to the cork oak forest in Portugal in 2019 and learnt all about this fascinating sustainable material and its circular production process that I realised just how versatile it is and all the varied applications it has in interior design.
Learning about all the ways to use cork at home opened my eyes to just how wonderful this natural, biophilic material is. So let’s look at some of the obvious ways to incorporate cork into your interior design project along with some of the more unexpected ways you may not have considered.
1. Cork Flooring
When you think of cork floors, you’ll probably be taken straight back to the cork flooring tiles of the 1970’s. However, technology has come on since then and we are now seeing some extremely sophisticated cork flooring products on the market. Cork flooring colours are also more varied these days and you can choose from shades like white, grey, champagne and sand, so you are no longer limited to the not-so-subtle shades of orange.
Some of the options even combine state-of-the-art digital printing technology with the durability and comfort of the eco-friendly cork surface. So if you are looking for a floor that brings warmth, silence and comfort to your home made from natural and renewable raw materials from sustainable sources, a cork floor might be just what you are looking for.
2. Cork Underlay
If cork flooring isn’t quite to your taste, you can choose any flooring that tickles your fancy and combine it with rubber cork floor underlay. This innovative product can help to reduce sound and increase the comfort, durability and longevity of your floors. Cork flooring underlay is a fantastic option if you are looking for practical benefits as well as eco-friendly properties.
3. Cork Wall Tiles
Cork isn’t merely good for our floors though, it can also be used on our walls as cork wall tiles. Over the past few years, this tactile material has made quite a comeback and Pinterest has been awash with inspiring corkboard wall ideas. Whether it is images of beautiful rooms adorned with cork board walls, cork decorative wall tiles or cork roll, they all look fabulous.
Whatever you opt for you can rest assured that your walls will not only look great and be crying out to be touched, but they will also be extremely practical when it comes to keeping track of all your family admin, work notes or for simply displaying your favourite pinnable mementoes.
4. Cork Acoustic Tiles
If you live in a particularly noisy area or partake in noisy pursuits within your home and you need to create some soundproofing to stop any noise from travelling through your home, cork can be a great solution. As a material cork has some great sound absorption properties.
Cork has a coefficient of 0.7 which means that it absorbs 70% of sound waves and reflects 30% of them. Studies show that just 3mm of cork can block up to 10 decibels of sound. This makes it great for flooring but also particularly well suited for use on walls to dampen and absorb sound.
You can now get some particularly aesthetic cork acoustic tiles. These are often 3D or heavily textured and come in a variety of colours. They are great for use in public and commercial spaces but it is also one of the most attractive ways to use cork at home.
5. Cork Insulation
As well as sound-absorbing qualities, cork is known to be a great insulator. Cork has low thermal conductivity meaning that it can resist heat transfer. As a material, cork is very porous, so air gets trapped inside it. It is the air that blocks most heat from getting through a layer of cork.
For this reason, cork is a great insulator and can be used to insulate walls, roofs and floors. Cork insulation usually comes in the form of boards but you can also get cork granules that can be used as a type of cavity wall insulation.
6. Cork Cladding
Whilst cork can be used inside buildings as insulation, it can also be used on the exterior as cladding. Expanded insulation cork board have a high technical performance and therefore can be used inside but can also be used on the exterior of a building as cladding. These boards are made from 100% cork and are produced using the waste granules from the cork stopper industry. As well as being a thermal regulator and a great sound insulator, cork cladding is also carbon negative, non-toxic, fire-retardant, fungi-resistant have a long lifespan and are fully recyclable making them the perfect eco-friendly material for cladding exterior walls.
7. Cork Desk Pads
The home office is another of my favourite ways to use cork at home. Cork desk pads are a great way to protect your desk from the general wear and tear of everyday work. They provide a non-slip surface to prevent laptops and keyboards from moving around while you work. The thermal properties of cork means that the desk pad is always room temperature which is great if your desk is made from metal or glass as these can be cold to the touch.
8. Cork Mouse Mats
Cork is also used to make mouse mats because it provides a naturally cushioned and comfortable surface to support the wrist. Cork actually has anti-microbial properties so it prevents the growth of bacteria, mould, fungus and other microbes. This is very important when it comes to a mouse mat which can harbour lots of germs and bacteria.
It also provides an anti-slip surface which helps with precision mouse control and it is not reflective meaning that the mouse will function much more smoothly when used on a cork mouse mat as compared to a more reflective surface.
9. Cork Pinboards
Every office needs a cork pinboard, right? Cork pin boards are a super simple way to create a visual display for your office. Whether you need to display a large wall planner, a vision board, memos and reminders, photos or written notes, a cork pinboard is versatile, flexible and prevents damage to your walls.
10. Cork Desk Organiser
Keeping your desk tidy is of huge benefit when it comes to productivity and our ability to focus. Research from Princeton University Neuroscience Institute has suggested that because our brains respond well to order, a untidy desk can lead to a loss of focus. An uncluttered desk therefore can help people to process information better.
A cork desk organiser can help to keep your desk tidy and well organised and due to its antimicrobial properties it also helps to keep those germs at bay. Cork is also very easy to clean with a simple washdown.
11. Cork Placemats
The dining room is another perfect place where cork can be used in the home. Cork placemats, much like cork desk pads, help to protect the surface of your dining table from all the crockery and cutlery that will be placed upon it and moved around. They are heat-resistant, easy to wash and don’t harbour germs.
12. Cork Coasters
Cork coaster are in a similar vein and can be used in any room where drinks may be consumed. They protect your furniture from heat and water rings and help to prevent potentially sticky spillages. Again they are easy to wash and anti-microbial.
13. Cork Trays
Cork trays can be used in multiple ways in the home and in multiple rooms as well as taking things between rooms. Whether you choose to use them to display items in your home or simply as a way to transport items, cork is great material as it is no slip and very tactile.
14. Cork Trivets and Pot Stands
In the kitchen, cork trivets and pot stands come in really handy for protecting your work surfaces from hot pots and pans. Their thermal insulation properties mean that heat won’t be transferred through the cork to the surfaces below. Again the anti-microbial properties come an handy and the fact that cork can be wiped down makes it easy to keep clean.
15. Cork Bowls
One of the more unusual ways to use cork at home is a cork bowl. Being such a tactile material cork can be used to make a really beautiful bowl. What I particularly like about cork bowls is that they are carved from one piece of agglomerated cork meaning there are no joins or seams to potentially harbour germs.
16. Cork Bath and Shower Mats
One place you wouldn’t expect to see cork is in the bathroom. However, cork is naturally water-resistant due to the waxy Suberin substance it contains. This also makes cork resistant to mildew which is an added bonus in the bathroom.
I have had a cork bathmat since 2016 and I absolutely love it. It is always warm underfoot and provides a lovely cushioned area to stand beside the bath and next to the sink. It protects from the cold floor tiles. It doesn’t absorb water when wet, we simply wipe it down if it gets too wet. It has never gotten mouldy or suffered from mildew. And it is super easy to clean. Once a week, we simply give it a scrub in the bath.
17. Cork Yoga Mats & Blocks
For anyone who is into wellness and exercise, York is also a great material for yoga mats and blocks. The many properties I have already mentioned make cork a great material for these types of products.
18. Cork Massage Roller
This last one is one I had certainly never considered. At home, I have a massage roller made from some kind of plastic foam which is obviously not very environmentally friendly. My husband bought it for his back and at the time I had no idea you could buy these in cork. Should we ever buy one again, I will definitely choose cork.
So, there you have it. 18 attractive ways to use cork at home. I’d love to know if there is anything I’ve missed. Do you have cork products at home that aren’t on this list? And what do you love most about cork? Leave me a comment below!
Really liked the article. Great design solutions.
Thanks, Liv. It’s such a versatile material. There are so many ways to use it at home.
Wow never knew cork had that many uses! Loving the abstract all art though. Great blog post.
Thank you. It certainly is a super flexible and versatile material. There are so many uses.