This document discusses natural and man-made materials used in interior design. It classifies materials into two categories: natural materials which come from the earth like timber, stone, bamboo, and cork; and man-made materials which are processed like tiles, brick, concrete, metals, glass, plastic, and plasterboard. For each material type, the document provides brief descriptions of common varieties, their properties, and applications. Natural materials are considered more authentic and environmentally friendly but not always renewable, while man-made materials can closely resemble naturals and have extensive design applications due to advances in technology.

1. NATURAL AND MAN MADE
MATERIALS
Mel Fee Adv. Dip IDD

2. Materials are the foundation of design.
In effect, they will determine the overall look
and feel that is created within an interior
space.

3. Materials can be classified into 2
categories:NATURAL
 Natural materials are derived
from the earth and are either
mined or farmed;
 Natural materials are
considered authentic – they
age and mature over time and
exposure to the atmosphere
 They are often considered
more traditional, and
characterised by timeless
beauty
 Natural materials are often
considered less harmful to the
environment, however, this is
not always the case. For
instance, stone is not a
renewable resource, and
deforestation is known to
create ecological damage.

4. NATURAL MATERIALS
• NATURAL MATERIALS INCLUDE:
Timber
Stone
Bamboo
Cane
Cork
Silver
Gold
Leather

5. TIMBER- Hardwood & Softwood
• Hardwoods are the most durable
timbers, with a dense grain which is
resistant to damage and decay.
Suitable for construction, flooring,
shelving, furniture, cabinetry doors and
window frames.
• Softwoods are less dense, have a close
grain and many irregular knots.
Suitable for doors, shelving, ceiling,
internal linings, treated for fencing and
decking, treated and painted for other
outdoor applications, furniture.

6. STONE
Includes :
• Granite – very durable,
impervious stone
• Limestone – heatproof, softer,
more porous
• Marble – heatproof,
impervious to water, porous,
needs sealing
• Sandstone – harder than
limestone, slip resistance,
porous, will stain
• Slate – waterproof, resists
damp, stains, scratches, flakes
• Terrazzo – stone aggregate,
waterproof, hardwearing, can
crack, slippery

7. BAMBOO
•Woody grass laminated
in strips under high pressure
to make boards/sheets.
•Denser grain than timber, so more
water resistant than some timbers
•Range of colours and textures available
•Suitable for flooring, screening and
Decorative pieces

8. CANE
•Natural resource, woven from
grasses and rushes.
•Flexible but relatively fragile
product that is can be used
for furniture and decorative
pieces.

9. WATER HYACINTH
Also referred to as seagrass, it is mostly found
in Oriental waters, and often used in the
creation of wicker furniture pieces and
accessories.

10. CORK
Derived from the outer bark of the cork tree. Sheets of cork bark are granulated
And mixed with resins, pressed and baked. Durable product, soft and warm
Suitable for walls and floors.

11. LEATHER
Leather for furniture comes mostly from cattle, and no two hides are alike.
Age, heredity and environment all influence the character (and price) of
leather.

12. Materials can be classified into 2
categories:
MAN MADE:
 Man made materials are
processed, and can be made
up of a mixture of raw and
synthetic ingredients, which
can make them resemble
natural materials;
 Man made materials,
historically, have been prone
to the reputation of being
cheaper or lesser quality,
however, technology has
enabled the manufacture of
quality products with
extensive design
applications.

13. MAN MADE MATERIALS
MAN MADE MATERIALS INCLUDE:
 Tiles
 Brick
 Concrete
 Metals
 Glass
 Plastic
 Rubber
 Plasterboard
 Plywood/Particleboard
 Paper
 Paint

14. TILES
Include:
• Ceramic (baked - made
from natural clay &
water)
• Clay & Terracotta
(baked - made from clay
with mineral content)

15. BRICK
• Made from clay which is
pressed and fired at
high temperatures.

16. CONCRETE
• Made from cement,
water, and an aggregate
of sand and gravel, plus
additives to prevent
chipping.

17. METALS
Include:
• Aluminium (mined from bauxite)
• Brass (copper & zinc)
• Bronze (copper & tin)
• Chrome (aluminium & reduced
oxide or by-carbon)
• Copper (mined)
• Gold (mined, panned)
• Cast & Wrought Iron (iron ore,
coke & limestone)
• Nickel (chemical element & other
metals)
• Silver (mined)
• Stainless Steel (chromium & nickel)
• Zinc (product of earths crust)

18. METALS

19. GLASS
Pure sand,
soda and
lime heated
to 1700 C
degrees

20. PLASTIC
Includes:
• Laminate (paper &
resin glued
together at high
temperatures used
for flooring and
joinery
• PVC – composition
of synthetic
nylons, acrylics
and polymers)
used for furniture
• Synthetic Resin –
acrylic, melamine
used for furniture,
lighting and
decorative pieces

21. RUBBER
• Harvested from the
rubber tree.
• Comes in tile, sheet or
lineal form used for
walls and floor.
• Soft underfoot,
hardwearing.
• Needs to be laid on
smooth even base.

22. PLASTERBOARD
• Gypsum – mined,
processed then encased
in a liner board.
• Can be textured and
moulded in relief detail.
• Acoustic resistant, non
combustible. Can be
curved.
• Cement based plaster is
used for external
situations.

23. PLYWOOD
• Plywood is many thin
sheets of wood glued
together. When layers
are put together it
produces a sturdy,
lightweight product
which can be curved.

24. FIBREBOARD
FIBREBOARD - Made from wood
particles bonded with plastic Resin
MDF - Moisture resistant
fibreboard made from wood
particles bonded with plastic resin.
Parrafin wax is added to provide
protection against water and
damp.
PARTICLEBOARD is a board made
from nonchemically processed dry
wood particles of various shapes
and sizes and either synthetic or
natural adhesive material.

25. PAPER
Wallpaper often colored
and printed with designs
and pasted to a wall as a
decorative covering.

26. PAINT
a substance composed of solid coloring matter
suspended in a liquid medium and applied as a
protective or decorative coating to various
surfaces,