Cork is a material that is often associated with pin boards and classrooms but it is so much more than that. It can be used as both wall and floor coverings that are completely unexpected and unique. It can come in the form of tiles, panels or rolled out as one thin sheet depending on what look you want to achieve and the size of the space you want to cover
But what actually is cork? Cork is an eco friendly renewable material that is made from the bark of the cork oak. The bark is periodically harvested from living trees and then allowed to grow back so it replenishes itself over and over. The bark is then ground up, compressed and bonded with resin. It is light and flexible so it can be simply cut using a basic craft knife instead of messing around with heavy, expensive machinery. An essential part of the process is treating the cork with a protective coating that defends against moisture, damage or shrinking so you can even use it in bathrooms and kitchen where it might get steamy. Along with all these benefits cork is also biodegradable so at the end of its useful life it breaks down easily without causing any negative environmental impact. As an added bonus cork is also a good insulator so it is warm to the touch and conserves heat to keep your room feeling cozy and maybe even saving you money on your heating bill.
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47 Cork Wall Panels: Interiors with a Difference
Due to its lightweight qualities it means that it involves no major fixing elements or tools so it can be installed quickly with relatively little mess.
So if you’re curious as to how this seemingly mundane material could be applied in your home here are:
1. Textured Feature Wall
In this beautiful minimal room one cork wall panels act as the textured backdrop to this stylish living room. The cork texture is large scale and marble like that imbues the space with a sense of rustic minimalism. Its deep shade makes the white low wall stand out with the grey couch in the foreground to create a gorgeous layered effect. The material also makes the space less echoey, which often happens in modern white rooms. This panel manages to pack a punch while being simple to mount as one large panel due to its lightweight qualities.
2. Hexagonal Cork Tiles
Due to this amazing material’s lightweight qualities it is really easy to work and can be cut into whatever shape you please. In this case cork has been cut into these beautiful hexagons to create a pattern across the wall rather than the expected square tiles. The resin and bark combination also means its simple to stain like the black tiles we see above to create a rich pattern. Cork can also come in finer or a larger scale texture as we see above. This versatility allows you to combine different colours and textures to create a stunning mosaic pattern across your walls.
3. Pale Speckled Cork Wall Panels
This beautiful stained cork wall is a step up from your average white wall that also makes your space more insulated and cozy. The white surface is speckled liberally yet eclectically with beige pattern work across the surface. Due to the fact that cork is timber and resin based it is an easy material to colour to take advantage of the naturally beautiful texture. The effect may be graphic but it still fits the muted colour palette of the furniture in the foreground.
4. Whole Pin Board Wall
The design of this refreshing, contemporary office has bold blue walls with white ceiling and skirting boards that coordinates with the desk and wardrobe. But the real star of this room is the feature wall formed by one full length pin board. This is a fun feature that is great for offices because you can pin important schedules and documents as decorative elements to it so it is both useful and attractive. As well as the objects pinned to it the natural colour of the cork shines through and works perfectly with blue and white colour scheme.
5. Pure Natural Beauty
This little corner really serves to show off the natural colour and texture of the cork itself. The eclectically patterned surface acts as a stunning rustic background for any room. For an even more rustic look you can pair it with stained timber in different shades and textures. This style can be used as a feature wall or cover all the walls contrasted against paler floorboards and a white ceiling to stop the space feeling cramped. This neural tone is also ideal for highlighting flowers in bright colours.
6. Cork and Pristine White
The clever design of this innovative lounge subverts the expected white walls and colourful and textured furniture and swaps them around. The statement rustic contemporary interior has walls that are entirely faced in cork that maintains its natural colour. This creates the perfect backdrop to the ivory furnishings from the white couch; throw cushions, dresser and other small decorative items throughout the room. This manages to take a white aesthetic and make it comfortable to to spend time in.
7. Chic Cork Lined Dining Room
Cork is not just reserved not for rustic settings, as this chic dining room setting proves. The square tiles of cork that span the whole wall alternate so that the grain runs perpendicular to one another to create a subtle patterning across the surface. This acts as a textured but neutral backdrop to the stylish dining table and chairs in the foreground. The room is enlivened with bright pops of colour from the art mounted on the cork wall, the centre piece and the hanging glass balls that form the modern chandelier.
8. Rectangular Cork Tiled Feature Wall
This stunning feature wall has used cork once again to highlight the white bed, headboard, lamp and soft furnishings that sit in front of it. The wall is faced in thin rectangular cork tiles that run vertically from the ceiling and down behind the bed. The pale shade of these patterned panels doesn’t overwhelm the space and makes it feel restful and open. This bedroom has also made use of cork floor divided from the room by white skirting boards. Using cork in both locations means that this room will be well insulated and remain physiclly comfortable no matter what the weather is outside.
9. Pale Cross Hatched Feature Wall
The cork of this feature wall has a fine, linear crosshatched pattern that creates a beautiful fine grained base to an eclectically decorated room. This ties in with the wooden sculpted chair beside it, which is additionally paired with a timber table to create a collage of different shades of timber in different applications. This natural scene is contrasted by the quirky orange egg like lamp that stands on the table that heightens the retro feel of the space.
10. Unusual Cork and Timber Bathroom
Since cork is set in resin and can be treated to repel moisture it is a great material to use in moist environments like bathrooms. This wood based material has been paired with wooden cabinetry, paneling and shelving as they work very well hand in hand. Even though these are both materials that we wouldn’t expect to see in a bathroom they manage to create a synchronized, completely neutral and old school glamor interior. The cork wall also has the added benefit of insulating the room, which keeps it feeling cozy and warm especially in winter.
11. Super Modern Cork Faced Bathroom
This modern white bathroom with its black slate floor tiles has used a striking cork feature wall behind the minimal freestanding bathtub that breaks the monochrome design with natural materials. The cork takes the form of thin rectangular tiles that run down the wall creating a subtle patchwork with its uneven patterning. It also adds an essential element of warmth, both physically and aesthetically, into the tall room.
12. Linear Cork Wall Application
To create this vintage aesthetic this small room is faced in a seemingly seamless sheet of cork that wraps around every wall with dark wood paneled floors. Since this material is really easy to cut using a craft knife so you don’t need any heavy machinery to tailor it to fit perfectly around the window. Using a material this textured and dark means that the colour scheme needs to be broken up as a relief to prevent the room from being closed down, which is achieved using white cornicing, a white ceiling and sheer white curtains.
13. A Homely Patchwork of Colours
In this beautiful rustic room cork has been used as a naturally textured seamless feature wall behind the sumptuous bed. Its graphic mottled surface is contrasted against a white bed and headboard once more and combined with dark chevron floors. These tones and textures along with the gingham cushions, curtains and the red comforter create an interesting and comforting patchwork in this cozy room.
14. Highly Patterned Cork Wall Panels
To make a real statement this room has chosen this dark rustic wall covering with dramatic swirling patterns of light and dark. The effective is really graphic and unusual while only using natural textures and tones. This is accompanied by a thick wooden tabletop sitting in front of it with a large wicker basket filled to the brim with juicy purple plums and lavender sprigs. This combination of brown textures in different forms is the perfect canvas to contrast bright colours against like the stunning purple above.
15. Bright, Contemporary Bedroom Feature Wall
As we have seen already white and cork look very aesthetically pleasing together, making this the perfect choice for this contemporary bedroom. The polished screed floors with white soft furnishings and a little metal table and chair sit beside one sheet of cork in a medium grain. The colour of the cork is emulated in the window frames to coordinate the space.
16. Retro Dining Room Cork Wall Panels
The dining room of this family home has a distinct retro 70’s inspired dining room with a highly textured, buttery yellow shade of cork surrounding the dining area. Yet again we see how effective it is when cork and timber are combined with the yellow toned side table, the red toned dining table and an even paler shade of timber for the chair. The whole combination of timber in one space is highlighted with little pops of blue throughout to break up monotony and maintain the vintage style.
17. Dark Pitched Feature Wall
This modern bedroom has a beautiful pitched design with a wedge shaped feature wall behind the bed. The room is very open and airy with tall ceilings and long curtains so the cork wall can be stained a deep brown without closing off the space. The small panels are richly textured in contrast to the beige bed and sumptuous blankets. The muted space is livened up with pops of colour from the vivid green stool and two round yellow side tables on either side.
18. Cozy Insulated Bedroom Design
The bedroom is the place in your house that you really want to feel comforting, your little safe space, and this room has achieved that with the clever use of materials. The room manages to feel warm and cozy because of the insulating cork feature wall and the thick beige carpet. The warm, rippling cork wall is contrasted against the dark blue velvet bed with teal duvet set and cushions in a pleasing juxtaposition. White skirting boards and a trio of patterned tiles hanging over the headboard break up these colours and textures to finish off this inviting room.
19. Rippling Cork Panels
This unusual wall covering wraps around this corner creating a minimal decorative niche. The tiles alternate the grain to create this swirling pattern of compressed timber. A thick timber shelf is mounted on the cork and is almost completely obscured by the patterned surface holding a huge statement vase. This is a really unique look and a novel way to decorate your space from floor to ceiling.
20. Chic Cork Half Wall
If you want the texture and warm tone afforded to you by cork but still want to maintain a sense of lightness in this modern room then limited paneling like this is your answer. Square cork tiles have been fixed just under halfway up the wall in very thin sheets with a subtler pattern that we have seen before with a white wall and ceiling above it, which opens up the room. The look is finished off with white furniture that stands out against the cork wall.
21. Rich Pattern Marked with Crimson
Here we have yet another cork feature wall behind a luxurious bed. The dark, rich marbling almost imitates stone or marble with the natural grey and brown shades interspersed with eclectic red spots. Since cork is simple to dye these colourful chips and incorporate them into mix before its set in the resin. The rest of the room coordinates with the red shade through orange art, orange cushions and quilted comforter.
22. Finely Speckled Cork Wall
With a stroke of seemingly effortless artistry a fine grained cork feature wall has been used as the backdrop to this contemporary living room. The slightly cool toned shade looks beautiful with the limited colour scheme of the room of olive green, pale timber, black and white soft furnishings. Yet again it has also been used alongside ample amounts of houseplants to give a nod to its natural source. This wall is more interesting and tactile than a painted wall and gives the space a truly distinct character.
23. Beautiful Office Cork Wall
This small cork wall panels has been cleverly built in next to this little open office created by a niche in the hallway. The fine grain of the cork creates a break in the contemporary space with its screed floors and seamless white walls and ceiling. This is the perfect place to can pin decorative pieces to it as inspiration while you sit at the desk. This detail is really simple and chic but still a quirky and beautiful place to work.
24. Fun Pin Board Map
Instead of covering the whole wall in cork this house has rather used it as a fun piece of interactive wall décor. The stretched canvas has a thin cork map mounted to it encircled by twists of rope. This is perfect for avid travellers as you can place a pin in every place you have visited or want to visit using fun colour coordinated pins. The map is propped on a shiny thick black shelf complete with a little globe and binoculars to continue the travel theme.
25. Imitation Marble Wall Covering
Marble wall coverings are very expensive, heavy and hard to install but luckily cork is here to save the day. This cork has an intricate beige marbled surface with white and grey running through it. As opposed to the material it is mimicking these cork sheets are quick and easy to install at a fraction of the cost. The floor sitting perpendicular to it is covered in dark blue faux marble tiles on the floor to complete the illusion outlined by a thin black skirting board.
26. Mock Brick Cork Tiles
This incredible feature wall has used rectangular cork tiles that imitate eclectic pale brick very convincingly. This is a great way to achieve this aesthetic using a much lighter material that is cheap and really easy to install, unlike actual bricks, so it is super easy to get this effect without starting a full on renovation. This wall forms a textured backdrop to the shapely gold table in front of it topped with a fluffy green plant on the marble tabletop.
27. A Scene of Contemporary Comfort
Here we have another seamless natural toned cork feature wall sitting in a contemporary setting. This wall combined with slim golden floorboards connects beneath an elegant, unusual couch in off white that flares out on all sides. A quirky orange floor lamp and a tall orange pot plant with baby pink cushions accompany all these natural tones.
28. Sealed Wine Cork Wall Art
As we saw in example 24, this home has used cork in a different way than we have seen so far. This wall hanging is made of a collection of wine corks that have been collected and glued in a rough square that spills out over the edges. This technique creates a mosaic of different shades of corks that have been sealed to look glossy and catch the light. The piece has then been mounted to a powder blue wall that makes it stand out dramatically.
29. Incredible Oak Textured Feature Wall
This carefully designed modern space has tall walls inset with two high deep windows and faced in rectangular tiles of intensely textured cork that imitates their natural wood texture. This intense wall sits in stark contrast to the modern interior with its white floorboards, white box coffee table, large plants and simple wooden chairs to create a uniquely elegant space.
30. Thin Floor to Ceiling Cork Board
This pristine white interior has been broken up by column of brown cork that runs from floor to ceiling. This functions both as a decorative feature and a useful one. It is liberally pinned with mementos, art and personal effects to add some personality to an otherwise blank space. It also acts as the backdrop to trendy white metal bar cart and, yet again, works perfectly when paired with houseplants like the ones hanging from the upper level and squat pot sitting beside it.
31. Finely Speckled Cork Bedroom
Rather than imitating timber the cork facing in this room is closely speckled cork running around the whole room. This is far more interesting than the expected plain white walls, which changes the space from minimalistic to more homely. This is the most beautiful backdrop to the art deco black bed, small black desk, wire chair and multi coloured cushions.
32. Colourful Kid’s Playroom Cork Board
In a tall white play room with polished wooden floors and white walls and ceiling cork has been used to create a fun classroom style corkboard. The large panel sits beside the white door and spans almost floor to ceiling along that wall. This creates a large area to pin the kids artwork, activities list, schedules and party invitations. This adds colour to the room by itself but also allows for additional décor of the children’s own making to adorn the large space.
33. Open Plan Cork Living Space
This stunning eclectic open plan living space incorporates a large kitchen and stainless steel dining area. The walls are entirely faced in sheets of textured cork that wraps around the space from the living room and around the kitchen. It is contrasted with splotchy black and white marble counters and vintage looking white washed cabinetry and shelving. This whole design is offset by a large white ceiling to break up the colour and textures.
34. Layers Neutral Tones with a Cork Headboard
Here we have a rather large bedroom that can easily handle a rich, textured wall without making the space feel cramped and dark. The cork wall is slotted into the recessed panel behind the bed as an oversized headboard. The dappled surface is littered with many shades of brown, lit by down lighters set into the white frame that emphasizes the stunning texture. Married with other neutral tones from the beige bed to the golden toned wooden floorboards.
35. Nature Inspired Dining Room
The entirety of this gorgeous space is chock full of textures that celebrate the beauty of nature. The backdrop to this is the seamless tightly textured cork wall panels, which emphasizes the trailing houseplants hanging at different heights. In front of this display is a dining table covered by a blue and white tablecloth draped over white furniture. This all combines into a bright, textural space signed off with the unusal blue floor.
36. Green And Brown Marbled Cork Wall
In this innovative little space the expected brown tone of this textured cork has been interrupted with splotches of forest green that sets it apart from the rest in a similar manner to example 21. The green patches are dyed prior to the bark and resin being fused together to create this cool marbled effect. The rich textures contrast against the sleek white floors with a very thin skirting board running along the edge. The green from the wall can be repeated throughout the rest of the space to coordinate with the room in a subtle and modern way.
37. Little Textured Corner
This cork wall has a chunky texture that forms the backdrop to this intimate little corner. The warm tone and rich pattern works beautifully with the round wicker armchair, swirling black and white cushion and round timber table sculpted from a slice of tree trunk. All these hard, rough textures are contrasted with the diaphanous, sheer white curtains that soften the overall aesthetic.
38. Contemporary Comfort with White Patches
The contemporary, neutral style of this lounge has been given some flavour with the large, cork tiles that cover the walls on all sides. The intense coarsness of the cork is spotted with chunks of white in the same manner as example 36 that results in an even more beautiful texture. These white spots tie in with the rest of the space through the round white table and elegant standing lamp. These panels insulate the room and make it feel comforting, which a plain white wall wouldn’t manage to do. The cork has been used alongside dark wooden floorboards and a soft grey couch to complete the stylish interior.
39. Beige Mock Marble Wall Covering
This little cozy living room has again used cork to mimic the effect of marble without the weigh or the extravagant expense. Besides the ease and the savings cork is also a more eco friendly version that is recyclable. It creates a neutral background without being dull that can be used along side other shades of brown in the layered tables and the dark leather couch to create a glamorous look.
40. Imitation Stack of Logs
This sumptuous lounge has a super modern interior with a vast brown L shaped couch littered with green cushions. However the real showstopper is the cork feature wall that consists of large squares of cork filled with circles that imitate stacked fire logs. The shape is imitated in the circular glowing light fixture overhead while the material is brought into the room through the coffee table and standing lamp, which are constructed from clusters of thin stripped branches.
41. Thin Rolls of Cork
This is cork in its raw form. As you can see the long sheets of cork are light and flexible that can be affixed to the walls simply with lightweight fixings. It can be used in one large sheet or cut easily using a craft knife into whatever shapes you want. Before application this raw finish can then be sealed and/or coloured to achieve your desired aesthetic.
42. Cork and its Unique Tactile Beauty
The two factors that make cork a really desirable material from a purely aesthetic point of view are the gorgeous texture and the graphic natural patterns. It is a texture that you just can’t help but touch due to its soft, pliable surface. This particular cork panel is scattered with chunks in various shades of brown speckled with black throughout that looks like an Impressionist painting when viewed close up. This amazing material adds a tactile element to your home that is also warm and insulating at the same time, which saves you money on electricty bills.
43. Blue Flecked Cork Wall
In this contemporary lounge we find another feature wall that collaborates warm cork with a splash of colour littered across the surface like we have seen in many other examples. The orange hue of the cork juxtaposes beautifully with the blue speckles because they are complementary colours. This wall adds texture and warmth to the room as well as piece of mind due to its eco friendly benefits. The blue from the walls is brought through into room with blue cushions and the little azure side table. This is a fun way to add some colour into a room in a completely unexpected way.
44. Fun Kid’s Room Divider
In a completely unique application to what we have seen so far, cork has been used here to cover the wall divider in this large child’s room. This is a feature that is lightweight and cute but also incredibly useful to divide the space into useable parts. The cork sheets are vertically striped in a bright golden tone that you can decorate with your child’s art and other personal effects to create a stunning tapestry. The linear quality in the cork is repeated in the wood paneled floors but in a lighter shade that makes the space feel cohesive. The cork wall also works hand in hand with the flooring to designate ceratin areas of the room so the decorated wall and timber flooring creates a corner in the room that is reserved for reading and creativity.
45. Minimal Cork Board Lounge
This very sleek minimal room, rendered in exclusively neutral tones, has a beautiful cork feature wall that stops the room feeling clinical and stark. This wall not only adds a layer of warm colour but actual insulation to keep the room physically warm in winter and comfortable in the winter, no matter whats happening with the weather outside. The cork has been used alongside a multitude of other neutral textures like the suede couch, large glossy white tiles and a square black glass topped coffee table that combine to create a subtle celebration of finishes.
46. Cork Wall Steeped in Elegance
The cork feature wall in this elegant dining room has a subtle pink shade that offsets the green tones throughout the room in a pleasing manner. It has collaborated with a smooth screed floor to, yet again, emphasize the inviting white couch and create a neutral background for the beautiful, delicate furniture in front of them. These natural colours have been continued into the sage green furniture, floral patterned curtains and a live orchid sitting on the coffee table.
47. A Riot of Textures
The little corner of this contemporary room is a riot of textures and colour that purposefully blends materials to create this layered scene. Instead of using the blank canvas created by a white wall cork has been used to form this richly textured background. In the foreground the cork allows the round to white table stand out brightly against it with a hanging houseplant draping onto its surface. The table has been topped with glass jars that distort the pattern through their surface accompanied by beautiful copper candlesticks.
Conclusion
As you can see from this extensive list, cork is not just reserved for classroom pin boards.
This beautiful material can be substituted for a colourful feature wall to add texture to a space and switch the expected on its head. It also had the added benefits of feeling warm and soft to create a tactile layer to any room. You can even combine the traditional corkboard use with its new modern setting and hang art and other décor simply on its permeable surface.
So why not see what this light, cheap and naturally beautiful material can do for your home and update your space with cork.
