Wall decoration with cork wallpaper: nuances of using natural material

Cork wallpaper is increasingly becoming popular in the design of modern interiors. Not surprising, because they are based on natural material, which allows you to achieve the effect of being closer to nature.

“Cork” is the common name for the bark of the cork oak, the main feature and advantage of which is the quickly regenerating bark. It is obtained from 15-year-old trees, extracted from the trunk once every 10 years, which is completely safe for the tree; moreover, it retains its properties for up to 200 years. A large-scale producer of cork is Portugal, less commonly produced in France, Italy, Spain, and northern Africa.

What types of products are there?

All manufactured products, regardless of the manufacturer, are divided into two main types:

• without base;
• on paper (cellulose) basis.

Baseless popular models from the best manufacturers are in high demand. They do not have an adhesive composition, so they are completely natural. The creation technology is as follows:

1. The removed bark is ground to a crumb consistency.
2. The sawdust is pressed.
3. The resulting composition heats up greatly, which leads to the release of a resinous adhesive component.
4. The technology is designed to glue particles in a natural way, without the interference of external factors.

Non-basic products are rarely supplied for sale, since their average price is too high. According to buyers, the best option for mass use in interior decoration is paper-based cork structures. Simplified production. The technology is elementary: cork veneer is attached to paper fibers. The advantages include a variety of tones and shades. Ocher and soft beige colors are available on sale. Along with the natural palette, there are painted structures.

Thus, the following main types of products can be distinguished:

Main characteristics

What is the best product to buy for wall decoration? Many people prefer cork compositions. They attract attention with their sophistication, originality, colors, beauty, and practicality. They are recommended to be used by builders and designers. Surface cladding with their participation will look unsurpassed.

There are many advantages of the models. Let's focus on the main ones:

• Low level of thermal conductivity.
• Sound insulation is excellent.
• Significant dust-repellent ability.
• Excellent decorative qualities.
• Show increased resistance to fire.
• They do not support the process of oxidation and combustion.
• Moisture resistance at a high level. The base of the material does not allow moisture to penetrate.
• Optimal firmness and elasticity.
• Quickly and easily takes the required shape, bends, and restores its original appearance.
• Not afraid of microorganisms and bacteria, does not allow them to multiply.
• They do not absorb foreign odors.
• If there are unevenness and defects in the wall surface, they are skillfully leveled.
• Durability.
• Practicality.
• Strength.
• Long service life.
• Versatility (suitable for loggias and balconies, bedrooms and halls).
• They are not afraid of bright light.
• Combined with textiles.
• Wide range of textures and shades.
• Hypoallergenic and environmentally friendly.
• Easy to use.
• Easy to install and dismantle.
• Advanced functionality.
• Unable to attract static electricity.
• Protection of the room from infrared and ultraviolet radiation.

There are few disadvantages. Let us indicate the most basic ones:

• Low strength;
• There are no budget ones;
• During the pasting process, a lot of waste is generated;
• color options are limited.

The palette is consistent. On sale you can find the following tones:

• all variety is brown;
• soft pink;
• white to cream;
• dark yellow, yellow or light yellow.

Main characteristics

Check out the video installation instructions. What to consider when gluing cork wallpaper in the hallway:

As for the interior design of the hallway, it is impossible not to mention such a useful quality of cork wallpaper as the possibility of painting. This is an important advantage, because, if necessary, you will always have the opportunity to quickly change the interior design and without taking any radical measures.

Important to remember! The most positive quality of cork wallpaper is the possibility of additional insulation of the corridor walls from the inside. This is especially important, since the hallway is the very place into which unwanted cold penetrates from the landing in the fall and winter.

And finally, one cannot fail to mention such an important quality as moisture resistance. Yes, yes, you heard right. It may seem to many that a material such as cork absorbs all the excess moisture. In fact, this is not the case at all. In this regard, it will be interesting to look at the experience of winemakers who seal bottles of wine using a cork.

Decor options

Cork products in rolls can be used to cover walls in any room. Most often they are used to design:

1. Children's rooms. They are in high demand due to their freshness, naturalness, and high soundproofing characteristics. The baby will not be disturbed by extraneous sounds coming from outside. Sleep will become restful, and awakening will be easy and pleasant. Mistakes should not be made when choosing canvases. Particular attention should be paid to the hypoallergenicity of the material used for manufacturing. It is necessary to ensure that the fidget does not tear off pieces from the products.
2. Kitchens. When choosing this type of cladding, you should take care of purchasing kitchen sets with natural patterns. It is advisable to choose a natural color. The ideal style is classic. Experts advise additionally covering the surface with a special compound that prevents the wallpaper from absorbing foreign odors.
3. Living room. The room should be filled with warmth and light, uplifting and positive. An ideal place for receiving guests, home gatherings, and playing with children.
4. Study. Models with additional noise insulation functions are selected. Nothing should distract from important matters. Silence will give you the opportunity to focus on the main thing and not miss important nuances.
5. Bedroom. Covering such a room with cork wallpaper is considered the best option among all those available for sale. Ecological cleanliness and soundproofing properties will help give the bedroom coziness, give you the opportunity to sleep peacefully and start a new day in a good mood.
6. Hallway. An ideal option, as they firmly resist the absorption of dirt and dust.
7. Balcony (loggia). A distinctive feature of the product is its resistance to bright sunlight and high humidity. Does not allow sounds from the street to penetrate inside the room. A variety of colors will help you create a design in both dark and light tones. An ideal combination with wood, bamboo, reeds. Can be combined with brick, stone, plaster, other types of wallpaper, and wood panels. Pasting will not take much free time.
8. Bathroom. If the tiles become boring, they can be replaced with cork sheets. In addition to comfort and warmth, the material does not absorb moisture, does not allow fungus to multiply, and mold does not form.

Various styles

Cork products belong to the universal category. They will fit into any style of room, regardless of the existing design. Where is cork wall covering most commonly found? A wide variety of styles:

1. Loft. Urban style goes perfectly with or without decoration. Thanks to cork, the interior becomes softer and more comfortable. At the same time, a certain stylistic “zest” is preserved.
2. Eco style. Natural elements predominate. The combination is the most varied. Untreated wood predominates. For decoration, it is advisable to choose spacious areas. Tiny rooms will look unsightly.
3. Country. It will complement rustic motifs with its presence. Much attention is paid to the presence of natural materials both in the quality of finishing and in the furniture sets present. Walls can be decorated with combinations of plaster, wooden boards and cork.
4. Ethnic style. Unusual elements predominate. There is a sense of mystery and delight in the room. The lighting is dim. Thematic accessories are used as decor.
5. Modern style. There is no need to rant for a long time about the benefits of choice. Just look at the photos provided.

Interesting living room

If you plan to create a homely, comfortable interior, suitable for friendly gatherings and cozy family evenings, then you can consider this option for decorating the walls, look at the photo below:

They are for zoning; they can be used to decorate the wall on which the TV is located. Natural shades will not distract or irritate the eyes:

Cork walls also look harmonious in the recreation area where sofas, armchairs, and couches are located.

Cork is often used to decorate a wall with a fireplace: wood and fire are a natural combination.

The natural colors of cork material are combined with calm green, blue, brown, brown, sand shades and white.

How to choose the right product

Everyone's selection criteria are different. Some people think for a long time about which company is better to buy products, despite how much it costs, others select inexpensive designs, and others pay special attention to the hypoallergenicity and environmental friendliness of the material used. It is important to keep in mind that high-quality products cost a lot of money. Inexpensive models are difficult to install and generate significant waste. Panels are much easier to work with. The slabs can be selected in different sizes, which will make it possible to reduce the amount of waste to zero.

The range of products on the market is impressive. You can choose a product to suit every taste and budget. Before making a final decision, you need to decide on the location of the gluing. This is due to the fact that the correct choice will be influenced by properties such as fire resistance and moisture resistance. This indicator is ensured by special compounds with which the product is impregnated. This information can be gleaned from the accompanying documents provided by the brand, along with instructions and a quality certificate.

The next criterion is color scheme. It is the most diverse. It must fit into the existing interior.

The average cost of production is of no small importance. It is assumed that the higher it is, the better the quality of the product. It is better to give preference to expensive products from famous world brands. They value their reputation and will never release a product that is dangerous to human health just for short-term financial gain.

You can't go wrong with the choice of glue. A professional sales manager will help in this matter. If you choose paper-based wallpaper, then you need to buy glue designed to work with heavy paper products. For a non-woven base, it is better to purchase a composition for contact acrylic or vinyl surfaces. When purchasing baseless slabs, you need to take an adhesive composition for cork products.

The question of where to buy a product is not considered difficult. It is sold in specialized retail outlets. You can order a product online in an online store, having first checked the integrity of the supplier.

Natural material in the bedroom

Safety, good sound insulation, calm color palette - they are simply created to decorate a place to relax - a bedroom. Wallpaper helps create a calm atmosphere that encourages complete relaxation. Rate the interior in the photo:

Moreover, they are suitable for decorating all the walls in the room or one wall - most often this place turns out to be the bedside area.

When using cork wallpaper in your bedroom design, it is worth considering that this material requires a consistent color scheme; no neon or acidic colors will be combined with it.

If you want to create a contrasting interior, then you can use two colors – black and white, example in the photo:

Gluing technology

There is nothing difficult in working with cork products. You just need to follow certain rules for working with it. They are as follows:

1. Preliminary surface preparation. The walls are cleaned of old finishes, leveled and well primed.
2. A vertical line is drawn using a plumb line or level. It will serve as a ruler for even installation of the canvases. The line mark is in the middle of the wall and coincides with the width of the canvas.
3. The material is being prepared. The wallpaper is cut to the required length. Afterwards they are laid out on a clean floor for some time to level.
4. A part of the wall equal to the width of the canvas is covered with glue.
5. The strip of wallpaper presses well to the surface.
6. The canvases are glued end to end.
7. If glue gets on the cork surface, give it time to dry, and then carefully remove it.

Combination Features

This material can be easily combined with wallpaper made of paper, non-woven fabric, and vinyl.

It is worth noting that there is no need to completely cover the walls with cork wallpaper in a small apartment, as this will make the room visually smaller. But it is possible to combine them, use them to highlight zones, create paintings, decorate niches, panels, for example, as in the photo:

In addition, combining cork with other finishing coatings will help avoid excessive dullness and monotony of the interior.

To make the combination harmonious, you should pay attention to the thickness of the materials used, it should be the same. Otherwise, moldings and other means should be used for joints to visually eliminate unevenness.

Thanks to the ease of use, you can cut out patterns, ornaments, and fragments of paintings of any complexity from cork wallpaper. And this goes beyond the usual design, making the interior truly unique and inimitable. Rate the photo below:

Wallpaper made from eco-friendly, natural material is suitable for people who care about the health of their family and value a warm, friendly environment.

The following video will help you learn how to properly hang cork wallpaper:

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Product care rules

The main thing is to ensure the cleanliness of the product. It is necessary to ensure that dust and dirt do not accumulate on the surface. To remove stains, special formulations without aggressive components are used. Fat is removed using vinegar or potato starch diluted with water.

Fine-grained sandpaper is suitable for the job. In this case, you should be very careful not to damage the base. To carry out cleaning operations, you can use a vacuum cleaner as an assistant.

With proper care, wallpaper will retain its original properties and attractive appearance for decades.

The benefits of cork wall coverings

Various types of coatings are made from cork, but they all have the following properties :

• Eco-friendly;
• Not flammable;
• Durable;
• Do not accumulate static charges;
• They look stylish and elegant;
• Do not gather dust;
• Not susceptible to fungus even in damp rooms;
• Mask surface defects;
• They have excellent heat and sound insulation;
• They do not lose their attractive appearance for a long time;
• The coating is easy to care for.

Rating of high-quality cork wallpaper up to 30,000 rubles

York Candice Olson Modern Nature, art CX1202

This popular model, from a time-tested American brand, is in deserved demand largely due to its natural colors. Based on the description indicated by the brand, the sheets do not need to be joined, since the pattern is as natural as possible. Roll size: 91x732 cm. Special glue is required for installation.

You can purchase a roll at a price of 27,790 rubles.

York Candice Olson Modern Nature, art CX1202

Advantages:

• safe composition;
• no need for docking;
• ease of installation;
• natural color.

Flaws:

• high price.

Ronald Redding Organic Cork Prints art LC7121

This product from a time-tested American brand is characterized by the presence of an unusual and stylish design on a classic background. The design pitch declared by the brand is 52 cm, which should be taken into account when choosing a model. Roll size: 68x820 cm. The composition does not contain harmful additives or chemically hazardous preservatives.

The average price of a new product is 19,140 rubles.

Ronald Redding Organic Cork Prints art LC7121

Advantages:

• stylish appearance;
• large roll;
• ease of subsequent installation;
• classic background.

Flaws:

• high price.

Carl Robinson Carl Robinson, art CB12209

This product is produced by a British brand specializing in the manufacture of high-quality products and various building materials. It is characterized by the presence of a safe composition and stylish appearance. An excellent solution not only for the bedroom, but also for other rooms. To avoid mistakes when choosing, you should take into account the existing pattern pitch of 64 cm. Declared roll size: 90x100 m.

Cost – 8811 rub.

Carl Robinson Carl Robinson, art CB12209

Advantages:

• safety;
• ease of installation;
• stylish design;
• water resistance;
• wear resistance;
• increased service life.

Flaws:

• small rolls.

Rating of high-quality cork wallpaper up to 5,500 rubles

CorkArt PO3 184 S-7.0

This popular model of wall panels is produced in Portugal. The brand provides a 10-year warranty on its own products. Size of one panel: 930x630x7 mm. The brand does not provide chamfers. The surface of the product is semi-matte and smooth. No protective coating is provided. It is preferable to use an adhesive type of connection. It is based on the use of a 0.7 cm cork layer. Resistance to fading is average and depends on the conditions of subsequent use of the product.

The purchase will cost 5,490 rubles.

CorkArt PO3 184 S-7.0

Advantages:

• waterproof coating;
• guarantee from the company;
• nice colors;
• ease;
• positive reviews;
• ease of installation.

Flaws:

• not identified.

Corkstyle City Mexico

This model is in high demand largely due to Swiss quality. For production, only natural raw materials are used, which are not processed with chemically hazardous compounds. The product is assigned class 32, which indicates its strength and safety. Declared dimensions: 600x300x3 mm. The package contains 11 products with a total area of ​​1.98 m2. The manufacturer does not provide chamfers. It is recommended to use the adhesive composition of this brand to achieve the best result. Looks cozy and comfortable.

Average price – 3450 rub.

Corkstyle City Mexico

Advantages:

• good sound insulation;
• thermal insulation qualities;
• stylish appearance;
• environmental friendliness;
• ease of installation.

Flaws:

• not identified.

DIVINA art.Coconut White

This model from the famous Portuguese manufacturer is in deserved demand among European consumers, largely due to its affordable price. The company uses only safe compounds to paint surfaces. The presence of a non-woven base deserves special attention. Natural bark (its particles) is used for production. The subsequent installation process is not troublesome. The design is exclusive and allows you to emphasize the unusual taste preferences of the owner. It can be used not only for pasting walls, but also columns and ceilings. Additionally, you will need to buy glue for heavy wallpaper. Declared dimensions: 5500x700x2 mm, which equates to 3.85 m2.

Cost – 2552 rubles.

DIVINA art.Coconut White

Advantages:

• wet cleaning is allowed;
• soundproofing and thermal insulation qualities;
• manufacturer's warranty;
• stylish execution;
• value for money;
• safety;
• practicality;
• ease of installation.

Flaws:

• not identified.

Wicanders Dekwall RY 07 Flores White

This product from a time-tested Portuguese manufacturer will be an excellent solution for a room decorated in a modern style. The surface of the wallpaper is white, but not uniform. Declared dimensions: 600x300x3 mm. The package contains 11 units of goods, which will cover 1.98 m2 of area. The manufacturer does not provide for a chamfer. Designed for pasting walls. The surface is matte and stylish. It is recommended to use an adhesive type of connection during subsequent installation. The coating is wax, which allows for wet cleaning in the future.

How much does a roll cost? The purchase will cost 2500 rubles.

Wicanders Dekwall RY 07 Flores White

Advantages:

• wet cleaning is allowed;
• good sound insulation;
• manufacturer's warranty;
• noise insulation properties;
• easy to install.

Flaws:

• not identified.

What you need to know

Be that as it may, the first step is to find out, at least in some detail, certain information about what kind of material this is, natural cork, and what basic properties it has.

As you understand, cork is a natural covering that is made from balsa wood. Installing such wallpaper is extremely easy. In addition, if necessary, they can be cut quite easily to fit the required size. They do not deform or shrink during installation, or under the influence of the adhesive composition.

Designers advise! Using cork wallpaper, you can decorate not only the walls in the hallway, but also its ceiling. In addition, by using self-adhesive panels of square or rectangular shape, you can decorate not the entire space in the room, but a certain part of it, thus creating an attractive combination.

One of the design features of the surfaces of this type is that in some way they will imitate a forest, and in general, with their help it will be possible to arrange various natural scenes. In this case, you can search for decor and design ideas both on the Internet and contact professional interior design specialists.

Related article: Ideas for choosing curtains up to the sill for windows

In such cases, an interesting addition to the interior of the corridor could be the use of such a technique, such as decorative elements (paintings, photos, frames, tapestries, etc.) with images:

• Trees and forests with drawings of animals, bushes or flowers.
• Jungle and exotic savannah.
• Drawings that show beautiful, eared fields or lush meadows with herbs.
• Mountainous area covered with greenery.

In other words, such paintings or photographs can not only complement the cork, but also create a unique combination in terms of design that will help recreate the feeling of being in nature. In addition, you can use interesting lamps, which can also complement the picture in the interior in a very interesting way. In any case, there are no plot restrictions here. The main thing is to tune your imagination in the right way, after which interesting ideas will begin to appear.

TOP-best cork wallpaper up to 2500 rubles

Ibercork Tenerife blanco

The model from a time-tested Portuguese manufacturer is in deserved demand among compatriots. The wide range of products offered, which combine high quality products and unique design, deserves special attention. Allows you to create a unique interior in any room. The products belong to the category of highly environmentally friendly, and are characterized by the presence of an unusual design. Declared dimensions: 600x300x3 mm. The package contains 11 elements, which equates to 1.98 m2.

Cost – 2438 rub.

Ibercork Tenerife blanco

Advantages:

• unlimited service life;
• environmental friendliness;
• ease of installation and subsequent care;
• good sound and noise insulation properties;
• does not attract dust;
• does not cause allergies.

Flaws:

• not identified.

Corksribas, DECORK, Condor Silver

For the manufacture of this product, agglomerated cork is used - crushed and pressed natural raw materials. Cork veneer is used as a decorative coating. It should also be noted that there is a wax coating. The material does not fade and does not absorb foreign odors. If necessary, wet cleaning is allowed. The collection consists of 28 shades, which will allow you to choose the best option based on your personal preferences. A similar product can be used for decoration. Pleasant tactile and comfortable to use material will make the room cozy.

The manufacturer does not provide for a chamfer. Preference should be given to the adhesive type of connection. The matte surface does not require maintenance, since surface contamination is not visible on it. Declared dimensions: 600x300x3 mm. A package consisting of 11 elements is enough to cover 1.98 m2 of area. This material is suitable for gluing both interior walls and ceilings. The range of the collection is extensive, which will allow you to choose a coating with an imitation of PVC panels, plastic and even stone. It is not recommended to use the material in the bathroom and kitchen, as the coating does not tolerate high humidity conditions. It is allowed to arrange an indoor balcony using these cork wallpapers.

How much does the packaging cost? The purchase will cost 2079 rubles.

Corksribas, DECORK, Condor Silver

Advantages:

• protective wax coating;
• moisture resistance;
• wet cleaning is allowed;
• stylish execution;
• wide range of products.

Flaws:

• not identified.

Corkart 156 S

To make this coating, small pieces of wood are used that are pressed. Natural bark belongs to the category of environmentally friendly raw materials, which are recognized as completely safe. The model range of this manufacturer has an exclusive design and the absence of harmful additives. Will make the room cozy and comfortable. It should be noted that this coating belongs to the practical category. For subsequent pasting, it is recommended to use a special glue or composition for heavy wallpaper. The Portuguese company enjoys well-deserved respect from its compatriots. Declared dimensions: 5500x750 mm. Packaging is equivalent to 4.125 m2. The pattern eliminates the need to create joints.

Cost – 1690 rub.

Corkart 156 S

Advantages:

• absence of toxic components;
• a wide range of;
• ease of installation and subsequent care;
• wet cleaning is allowed;
• manufacturer's warranty.

Flaws:

• not identified.

RW3 132 S

This product belongs to the category of wall coverings. For use only in warm and heated rooms. For subsequent pasting, it is recommended to use special compounds. The working surface is pre-prepared in the same way as when gluing conventional wallpaper. Declared dimensions: 5500x750 mm. The packaging is sufficient to cover 4,125 m2 of surface area. For production, bark particles are used, which are then pressed. The surface has an unusual pattern that will look great in any room.

Average price – 1690 rub.

RW3 132 S

Advantages:

• manufacturer's warranty;
• wide range of colors;
• good noise insulation and heat insulation qualities;
• can be wet cleaned;
• ease of installation.

Flaws:

• not identified.

Granorte Country Camel

This popular model from the Portuguese concern is characterized by high build quality and a wide range of ready-made solutions. Dimensions declared by the manufacturer: 600x300x3 mm. The packaging is enough to cover 1.98 m2 of area. The model is intended for pasting walls in warm and well-heated rooms with a standard level of humidity. The manufacturer does not provide chamfers. The package contains 11 elements. It is assumed that an adhesive type of connection will be used. Wax is used as a protective coating.

Cost – 1588 rub.

Granorte Country Camel

Advantages:

• safe composition;
• wide range of ready-made solutions;
• noise insulation and heat insulation properties;
• manufacturer's warranty;
• does not act as an allergen;
• does not attract dust.

Flaws:

• not identified.

Corksribas Condor Black

These popular cork wallpapers are designed for covering walls in warm and well-heated rooms. The product of the Portuguese company belongs to class 23. Dimensions declared by the manufacturer: 600x300x3 mm. The package contains 11 elements, which are enough to cover 1.98 m2 of area. The manufacturer does not apply chamfers. Wax is used as a protective coating, which makes it matte. It is preferable to use special compounds for gluing surfaces.

How much does the model cost? The purchase will cost 1,450 rubles.

Corksribas Condor Black

Advantages:

• stylish execution;
• ease of installation and subsequent maintenance;
• wet cleaning is allowed;
• manufacturer's warranty.

Flaws:

• not identified.

Calm hallway

In this room, cork walls look so organic that it seems difficult to choose a more suitable material. Moreover, this impression does not depend on the variation in which the walls are decorated - fully covered, partially covered, with or without decor.