Seven Decorative Places to Use Exposed Wood In Your Home

Using exposed wood in your home is becoming all the rage in interior design these days. Whether you're looking for a rustic, farmhouse style wooden ceiling beam, or an intricate Victorian style corbel, exposed wood is quickly becoming the way to add style, charm and elegance to any property. We've compiled a list of decorative elements that you can add to your home, if you're looking to include some exposed wood to your design.

1. Ceiling Beams – When it comes to exposed ceiling beams, there are many different styles and features. You could go for the thick, weathered and rustic look. A simple, elegant and contemporary look of thin beams crossing a vaulted ceiling. The darkly stained and crisscrossed Craftsman look. You can even go for the spectacular, extravagance of a vaulted barn ceiling, giving your home the rustic cabin feel that many desire. Ceiling beams come in all kinds of thickness, length, color, even wood types. Be sure to research your choices and find the beams that you love.
2. Window and Door Moldings – Back in the earlier years, when Victorian and Craftsman houses were the norm, thick moldings framed every door and window in the home. They were usually stained, sometimes painted, and always extravagant. Such moldings have gone in and out of style over the decades, but they seem to be back "in" at the moment. As such, you can consider having exposed wood moldings framing your doors and windows, staining them to match your floors or other wood features. The thickness and style can vary from house to house, but should, in theory, remain consistent in throughout your home.
3. Shiplap Walls – Shiplap is all the rage these days and can be found on pretty much any surface of a home. For those not in the now, shiplap is a wooden board that is used for exterior siding on work-buildings, like sheds and barns. Nowadays, many people love siding the interior of their homes with these boards. From bathrooms to living rooms to kitchen back-splashes, shiplap can have a place anywhere. The boards themselves are often weathered, but capable of being whitewashed or stained to match your color scheme. Shiplap is a great way to capture a rustic, farmhouse feel in any home.
4. Stair Rails – Many homes have stairs, and with stairs come stair rails and banisters. While in modern society, these trimmings were often painted, it's now becoming more of a custom to leave the wood exposed. You can stain your railings to match your ceiling beams, your floor or your moldings. Stair rails are often overlooked but can have an amazing impact on a home's overall feel.
5. Columns – Whether inside your home, or decorating the outside, there's something to be said for large, wooden columns. They can add a visual impact while supporting your home's structure, function and fashion all in one. Keeping the wood of the column exposed and beautifully stained and polished allows you to have so many options. You can match your woods or use pleasingly contrasting stains and wood types.
6. Barn Doors – Sliding barn doors are becoming more and more relevant in homes these days. They add a country feel to any home while also being functionally fabulous doors. You can, of course, paint the wood of these doors, but leaving them exposed gives it a homier feel.
7. Plank Floors – Hardwood floors are hardly a new idea. However, one option that is often overlooked is using wide-planked recycled wood from barns or warehouses that have been torn down. The wider planks offer a visual effect that can be astounding. Plus, the weathered, worn look of the used wood allows for a more historical, homey feel in the home.

No matter the type of wood used in your home, from oak to ash to pine, creating exposed wood elements in your home is going to create an atmosphere that is both pleasing and refreshing for whoever lives there. Consider using any of these decorative ideas when building or remodeling your home. You can very rarely go wrong with wood.

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