Luxury homes have always been associated with marble floors, ornate decorations, and smart technology. However, luxury home design is changing. Now, the rustic-chic aesthetic is trending in a big way. Luxury homeowners are looking for ways to integrate natural elements and bring some rustic charm to their home.

The most effective way to do that is through the thoughtful incorporation of natural or reclaimed wood. Wood effectively hits the motif while simultaneously indicating to the world that you care about sustainability.

Here are seven ways to use natural wood in your luxury home.

#1. Use Cedar Frieze Board

Frieze board is a type of trim that is commonly used on the siding of homes to cover gaps and create a more finished overall appearance. Frieze board also assists in protecting the home from moisture build-up, mold, and rot. Luxury homeowners are beginning to use decorative frieze board made of cedar or other wood to capitalize on the trend.

#2. Install Reclaimed Wood Flooring

Wood flooring is one of the most popular flooring choices already, but rather than going with standard hardwood, luxury homeowners are opting for reclaimed wood flooring. Reclaimed wood is simply wood that has previously served a purpose of some kind. It’s essentially recycled wood. Reclaimed wood creates one-of-a-kind patterns and promotes sustainability. While it can be more expensive than regular lumbar, the benefits usually outweigh the fiscal downsides for luxury homeowners.

#3. Use Natural Wood Siding

On the outside of the home, siding choice is an important one. While luxury homes traditionally have brick, natural stone, or stucco siding, more luxury home designers are advocating for wood siding. While it can be expensive to maintain, there’s nothing quite as whimsical or cozy as wood siding. For extra storybook charm, take color combination trends into consideration and pair your wood siding with a natural stone chimney.

#4. Build A Wooden Deck or Patio

Decks and patios are luxury home staples. It’s simple and natural to build these out of wood. Luxury homeowners with limited outdoor space or those living in urban areas are still capitalizing on this trend by opting for a rooftop deck design instead. Decks and outdoor patios are surefire ways to increase the rustic charm in a luxury atmosphere.

#5. Embrace Exposed Wooden Beams

While talking about home design, there’s a lot of focus put on the finishes. One trend involves intentionally aiming for an unfinished look. Exposed wooden beams are a fantastic way to add wood to any luxury home. Wooden beams paired with exposed brick is a popular combination. Combining those two materials in luxury design helps achieve an industrial and artistic flair on this natural element trend.

#6. Use Faux Cedar Shingles for Your Roof

In addition to siding, shingle choice is a crucial decision in luxury home design. Wooden cedar shingles are generally used on historic or colonial styled homes, but these require maintenance and upkeep over time. You can achieve the same look with cedar shingle alternatives like vinyl, polymer, or slate. Cedar shakes are beautiful, rustic, and embody a charm unattainable by any other shingle type, which is why durable alternatives like these are increasing in popularity. As a side note, building codes in your area may not allow for natural cedar shake roofing, which makes these alternatives even more appealing.

#7. Buy Natural Wood Furniture and Décor

The most straightforward way to infuse natural wood into a luxury home is through furniture, décor, and design elements. It’s not uncommon to find handcrafted wooden furniture and awe-inspiring wooden art pieces throughout luxury homes. Also, large wooden barn-style doors are becoming increasingly popular both inside and outside the home. So, if the architectural wooden elements are too much effort or commitment, many luxury homeowners opt for this option instead.

Natural Wood: The Latest Trend in Luxury Homes

Whether it’s on the interior or exterior, more and more luxury homes are being designed with natural elements in mind. Wood has become a popular material for capitalizing on the natural element movement. From siding and shingles to wooden beams and flooring, this trend is taking our preconceived notions of luxury homes and flipping them on their heads.

This trend is on the rise and is expected to continue as the call for sustainability increases. If you’re a luxury homeowner looking to capitalize on and incorporate this trend, these are seven tasteful ways to do it.

Jordan Swift is a contributor to the Innovative Materials blog. He is a content writer for the construction and home improvement industries with an interest in landscaping, outdoor remodeling, and interior design. Jordan is focused on educating homeowners, contractors, and architects on innovative materials and methods of construction that increase property value, improve sustainability, and create a warm and welcoming ambiance.