Bamboo is a familiar sight in gardens, used for everything from fencing to creating serene corners. But did you know this fast-growing wonder can also be a stylish and sustainable addition to your indoor space as well as your outdoor space?
In this article, interior design expert Jade Jones at HomeAdviceGuide.com explores 7 clever ways to incorporate bamboo into your home design, transforming it from a purely functional material to a design element that injects a touch of nature’s elegance. From creating a tropical vibe in your bedroom to crafting a room divider for added privacy, Jade will show you how bamboo’s versatility can elevate the look and feel of your home.
So, get ready to unleash the potential of bamboo and breathe new life into your living space!
7 Clever Uses for Bamboo in Your House and Garden
Below are 7 brilliant and clever uses for bamboo in your home design:
Headboard
Most people think about using bamboo in the garden for useful functions such as screening, but it can be used very cleverly in the home too. If you want a tropical feel for your bedroom, make a bamboo headboard out of canes. There are lots of designs you can use including staggering the height of the canes for a more organic look or cutting them all to the same height for a neater finish.
With bamboo canes, you can break up a neutral colour scheme, lay them horizontally for a different look or have a dramatically high headboard by standing the canes vertically. The only limit is your imagination.
Room Divider
Using the same technique, you can create a gorgeous room divider from bamboo cane. As with the headboard you can either make all the poles the same length or vary them for a more rustic look. The room divider can be used in the bedroom as a changing area or to screen off a quiet area as a cosy reading nook. You can also paint the bamboo cane room divider to match or contrast your room’s décor.
Décor
Bamboo can also be used in the home simply as an attractive feature or as an intrinsic part of your décor. Create a feeling of Zen in an area of your home with striking bamboo canes on a bed of white stones. It doesn’t have to take up much space; less than a foot wide is usually sufficient. But it will be a striking addition to your home and a source of conversation for visitors. Add some subtle lighting at the base to highlight the impact of the bamboo. You could also create this outside against a wall or fence.
Bird Table
Bamboo canes can be used to build a bespoke bird table for your garden. Choose a simple design, such as a large cane split in two, with one half serving as the base and the other half as a roof. Simply suspend them from a tree branch with some strong string or cord. Or if your DIY skills are up to scratch, you can go all out and make a complete dining location for your feathered friends. The durability of bamboo means that your bird table should last for many years.
Garden Architecture
Using bamboo canes to create striking and bespoke features for your home and garden is a great use of this sustainable resource but let’s not forget about the pleasure of having living bamboo in your garden. Many people are wary of planting bamboo with its well-earned reputation as a fast-growing and often invasive plant. But with the right selection of variety and correct management, bamboo can add elegance and drama to your outdoor space.
With its impressive height, colour, movement, and sound in the breeze, there is little to rival bamboo for the impact it delivers. If you are reluctant to plant bamboo, you can always use the canes as planters for succulents or air plants. Hang them horizontally or have standing bamboo planters with niches cut out for your favourite plants.
Border Edging
Bamboo canes make a wonderful edging for borders and pathways, adding texture and a touch of the exotic to your garden. You can make the edging any height you want. Create a low cane edging to separate your lawn from your flower beds, or make it higher for raised areas of the garden.
A simple but intriguing addition to your garden is to have giant bamboo cane cut into posts with a rope threaded through pre-drilled holes as a border for a path or to segment off or highlight an area of your outdoor space.
Fencing
Take the idea of using bamboo as an edging material one stage further and create a fence made from cane. Whether you want a purely decorative fence or one that is entirely functional, the beauty and strength of bamboo are ideal for either purpose. Depending on your DIY skills there are lots of different designs that you can use.
If you prefer a living fence, then planting bamboo in containers will allow you to screen off areas of your garden without letting the bamboo get out of control. You also have the benefit of being able to move the containers around and use them in different parts of your garden for privacy.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, bamboo offers a wealth of possibilities for enhancing your home and garden. From functional elements like borders and fencing to beautiful decorative touches like headboards and bird feeders, its natural beauty and versatility can be seamlessly integrated into any space. So, next time you’re looking for a sustainable and stylish way to update your surroundings, consider the magic of bamboo. With a little creativity, you can transform your home into a haven that reflects both your personality and appreciation for the natural world.
