The use of Exposed Surfaces and Natural Finishes in Interior Design

- Ar. Sumit Dhawan

Founder & Principal Architect at Cityspace' 82 Architects

Interior design has taken the center stage since COVID came to persuade people to stay inside. As a result, natural interior design expanded past the boundaries of creating furniture and painting walls. It evolved into something that calmed the mind and had an impact on a person's general wellness. The pandemic encouraged interior designers to pay closer attention to climatic considerations, human psychology, comfort, and anthropometry when creating indoor spaces to meet peoples' requirements on a mental, physical, and emotional level. Thus, there appears to be a significant need for us to create environments that are less structured and more organic.

Using exposed surfaces and natural materials could breathe new life into a room while also serving as an example of classic design in today's times. Up until recently, internal surfaces were hidden from the user by adding a covering over them. The use of structural components like exposed beams and columns to characterize a space is a signature of a bold interior that is beginning to replace this approach, as the practice of reusing natural construction materials has come to light. Another suggested material to consider when designing a home's interior is exposed brick. Due to its rich colour and texture, it could overpower the area and appear heavy. The inclusion of light- and translucent-coloured elements, such as a large mirror will provide a respite to the eyes, and aid in establishing a visually unified space by reflecting the neighbouring wall surface.

Utilizing exposed surfaces in regions with unusual shapes, around fenestrations, or at the intersection of two materials is another option to experiment. They will appear quite natural especially if they are towards the ceiling where the plaster generally starts to break off. They, therefore, possess the ability to convert the materials' minor flaws into a comprehensive aesthetic code. A wall made of exposed material blends immediately and intimately with its surroundings providing a glimpse of the brutalist architecture throughout the Industrial Revolution. A further benefit of combining exposed materials with other materials is that it never alters or negates the characteristics of the other materials, but rather harmonizes with its style.

Most people are awed by the beauty of natural finishes because these are self-finished, meaning that the materials shape the surface rather than the surface dictating the form and use of the materials. One is continuously searching for ways to develop something timeless that won't need to be rebuilt in a few years. Strong materials suited to your personality style are always the greatest choice for projects with long-lasting attractiveness. If you're looking to create a calming ambiance, think about combining clay and terra cotta. Building interior spaces with a classical aesthetic are ideal for marble. If you prefer a rustic setting, the wood material is what you want. The next step after selecting the material is to consider how it will fit in the space.

The choice of opting for materials that have an earthy vibe and are in their raw state is completely ours. They offer simple and authentic looks together with qualities like strength, environmental benefit, and insulation. Keeping things as close to their original form as is reasonably practicable holds a tremendous promise for encouraging a material language of practicing biophilia in a true environmental sense through interior design.

Hope this article will serve as a solid beginning point for all those who wish to reiterate the advancements in indoor design.

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