Trend material cork: versatile natural material

Welcome back, cork! Whether homemade pinboards, coasters, furniture or even house facades: the trend material is making a big comeback. We have compiled the diversity of the natural material for you.

In recent years, cork has only been used as a floor covering, insulation or as a wine bottle stopper. Today you can find the natural material on bags and shirts, on walls and as a cup, or even now as a house facade - a “cork house” is therefore nothing unusual. But what makes the material so popular all of a sudden? It is the optical warmth and the warm feel, the material is also flexible, insulating and water-repellent at the same time. Combined correctly, cork is a real highlight. In combination with metallic accents, for example, or with pastel shades, it ensures a natural and comfortable style. The cork bark also supports a sustainable and conscious lifestyle.

Cork: an ecological trend material

The largest cork plantations are in southern Portugal and Spain. Here the raw material is carefully harvested by hand. The cork bark consists of dead and airy cells. This is what makes the material so adaptable. It can easily take 10 to 15 years before the first bark can be harvested. The most valuable bark can only be obtained after the third peeling - this can take up to 40 years. So cork is a high-quality material that deserves much more appreciation. Many interior designers also thought so and honored the bark in the form of unique home accessories.

Cork is flexible and very resistant and is therefore also suitable for long-lasting decoration.

Photo: living4media / Algermissen, Astrid

Furnish with cork

Whether as a cup coaster or stool: cork is flexible and resistant. So it is a real all-rounder in everyday life! If you want to bring more warmth into your home, the natural material is perfect. You can combine cork with almost all colors and materials. There are even wallpapers in cork look that support a natural furnishing style.

Wallpaper with a cork look creates a cozy atmosphere.

Photo: wallpaper and clocks

Cork can do everything

Soft, flexible, versatile, durable and easy to care for: the natural material can close more than champagne.

The hexagon is a popular design element in architecture. The hexagons made of cork are intended to promote communication and balance.

Photo: Muratto

Cork bark all around

The gardens of the terraced houses, the British version of the row house, are very long and narrow. The residents of such a London terrace needed an additional work space: Surman Weston designed a tiny house and placed it in the lush garden. The facade made of coarse-pored cork panels insulates well and lets the building blend with the dense green.

A mini house with a cork facade in London.

Photo: Wai Ming NG

Sculptural armchairs made of cork that follow the curves of the body.

Photo: Movecho

Cork elements on furniture ensure a unique design.

Photo: OPOSSUM design

Cork cubes that represent how wine flows into a glass. The cork stools are sturdy and fit almost every furnishing style.

Photo: Supriya Mankad & Alessandro Isola

Flexible cork shelf

Moulares wall shelf made of cork that can be expanded in no time.

Photo: Smarin

When the collection grows, you just add it to the shelf. Modular cork furniture adapts to all changes in everyday life. You can add or remove modules - depending on the living and living situation.

Since the cork bark is so resistant and water-repellent, everyday objects such as umbrellas or coffee mugs are also made from it. This promotes a sustainable and conscious lifestyle.

The fashion industry uses cork as a leather substitute for accessories such as handbags, shoes and purses.