How I’m Bringing Natural, Earthy Materials Into Our Home (Without It Feeling Try-Hard)

Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I genuinely love or would use in my own home.

At the start of the year, I shared my New Year Home Refresh (Unsexy Swaps That Actually Matter) — a practical, slightly boring (but important) look at the changes I’m making for a healthier home.

This post is the prettier sister.

Because once you’ve swapped the air filters and ditched the worst offenders, the next step is making your home feel good. Calm. Grounded. Like exhaling when you walk into a room.

Lately, that’s meant intentionally bringing more natural materials and nature-inspired design into our space — wood, linen, beeswax, stone — the kinds of textures that soften a home and make it feel lived-in instead of overly styled. Which, as a mom of four, is exactly the energy I’m after.

Why Natural Materials Just Work

There’s something deeply comforting about natural materials. They don’t scream for attention. They don’t feel trendy in a way you’ll regret in six months. They just exist — warm, tactile, and grounding.

Incorporating wood, linen, beeswax, and stone instantly adds a sense of tranquility to a space. And while I can’t promise silence or uninterrupted coffee, I can say these materials visually lower the chaos level. Which feels like a win.

Wood Accents That Feel Collected, Not Styled

I’ve had this acacia wood dough bowl on my kitchen counter for months now, and it’s one of those pieces that quietly anchors the entire space. It’s technically a fruit bowl — though leaving fruit on the counter with kids almost guarantees it’ll be gone in minutes, which I’m choosing to view as success.

This large wood bowl is exactly what I picture when I think calm, relaxed kitchen. The warm wood tone, the simple shape, the fact that it looks just as good empty as it does full — all very “effortlessly put together,” which is my personal design north star.

And while winter is still hanging on, spring is very clearly coming. Which means gardens, fresh greens, and optimistic pasta salads. This oversized dark wood salad bowl with matching wooden utensils is perfect for the table — and the wooden utensils mean you’re avoiding microplastics and mystery materials altogether. Practical and pretty.

Serving on Salt (A Little Drama, In the Best Way)

Wood and marble boards are lovely, but nothing quite compares to the quiet drama of a pink Himalayan salt block.

This salt slab is perfect for charcuterie, sushi, or small savory bites, and it subtly infuses food with salt and trace minerals while you serve. Functional, beautiful, and undeniably cool — which is exactly what I want my serving pieces to be.

You can also cook on it (yes, really). If you’re curious, The Complete Book of Salt Block Cooking by Ryan Childs is a great deep dive. Pro tip: pair the salt block and the book together and you’ve got an elite hostess gift.

Linen: The Gateway to a Softer Home

These linen napkins are one of those swaps that instantly change the tone of everyday life. We started using them at dinner instead of paper towels, and suddenly even the most chaotic meals feel… intentional?

We were spending an embarrassing amount on paper towels anyway — and let’s be honest, they’re not exactly elevating the table. Linen napkins cost about the same as a bulk pack of paper towels, last forever, and make your home feel like someone thoughtful lives there.

For everything else, these cotton towels are my go-to. They’re washable, durable, and inexpensive enough that when something truly horrific happens (I’m looking at you, midnight dog vomit), you won’t spiral over throwing one away.

Beeswax & Stone — Small Details That Ground a Space

Beeswax candles are one of my favorite ways to bring a natural element into a room. They burn cleaner than traditional candles, last longer, and have the softest, barely-there scent.

Stone and salt elements work the same way — subtle, tactile, and grounding. They don’t dominate a space, but they add weight and presence. The kind of detail you notice without fully realizing why the room feels better.

Nature-Inspired Design Is About Feeling, Not Rules

This isn’t about perfectly curated shelves or turning your home into a Pinterest board. It’s about choosing materials that feel honest, timeless, and calming — and letting them layer naturally over time.

A nature-inspired home doesn’t need to be minimalist or rustic or overly intentional. It just needs to feel warm, human, and a little imperfect. Which, frankly, makes it far more livable.