Tree Bark Decor Ideas And Tips

Here are some tips for using tree bark in interior design for home decoration. Upcycling tree bark which has fallen off trees in your back yard, woods, roads or even sidewalk, is an ingenious and no-cost way to create and enjoy the best art work available to man, nature! This costs the environment nothing, as it is recycled and is gathered from already fallen tress. Do not take bark from live trees, as it can affect the health of the living plant. You are going to love these bark decor ideas for adding a touch of nature in your home.

Where To Find Good Tree Bark For Decorating Your Home

One way to get good bark for interior decorating is to take advantage of situations in which you have access to a felled tree. Perhaps a neighbor or you have had to cut a tree down for clearing property or making firewood, or even tree work done near your house. Logging extras, areas that have been bull-dozed and made ready for development, roadsides, fences and electric power line strips which have been kept clear by tree service or utility companies- all of these and many others you may think of provide opportunities to gather bark which is suitable for use in decorating your home or office. Do not harvest from a live tree as you could damage or kill the tree.

How To Harvest Tree Bark And Prepare It For Use In Home Decor:

1. Find your bark source
2. Peel the piece of tree bark from the tree trunk or tree branches in as big of chunks or sections as you can
3. Flatten the bark when it is moist after a good rain or sprinkling with water hose
4. Place a large, heavy object on the bark to force it flat, keep it flat until dry and stiffened
5. Be creative, find the place where it fits your décor perfectly

Tree Bark Decor Is Sophisticated And Rustic All At Once

There are many possibilities for using natural tree bark in home decor and I love that it is a recycled, free and versatile, local product. You may even discover some interior design uses on your own and have fun playing with this natural product!

Each tree has it own beautiful and unique bark that can add to your decor in different ways. From the smooth bark of the the American Beech, to the intersecting ridges of the White Ash to the peeling strips of the Paper Birch, tree bark can come in a variety of textures, colors, and shapes.

Ideas For Tree Bark Interior Design

There are so many possibilities for tree bark decorations. Pictured here are these ways I have used tree bark in interior design.

Coffee Table Center Piece

Bark is so textural and really quite eye-catching. My mother displays her on her coffee table with other cool nature finds such as rocks and dried flowers.

Window-seal decoration

Just propped up in the window frame with a few other knick knacks is another pretty option.

Welcome Mat

The beautiful piece of bark was found on a tree that had fallen. My mom pealed it off as it was already separating from the trunk. Then she weighted it with heavy rocks so it would be flat when it dried.

Bathroom décor

Here my mom has stacked two a couple pieces of tree bark she found on her walks.

Table Top / Place Mat

Planter Tray

The wood bark decor adds texture and serves as a mat with the smooth side down against the table.

More Creative Uses For Tree Bark:

• Soap Dish
• Picture Frame
• Borders
• Furniture Cover
• Table Runner
• Wood Slices with bark in tact as coasters
• Use parts of real trees as wall art

Tree bark ideas in interior design has endless possibilities, a variety of which are found by collecting the bark of a variety of tree species. Keep in mind, bark varies from paper thin, to thick chunky inch-two inch thick. Many textures, colors, and patterns can be found and enjoyed in a creative choice of contexts. Enjoy your eco-friendly home decorating! Get ready, get set, go find your prize piece of tree bark!

Have you ever used tree bark in interior design?  Do you think you will give it a go now? Which of these tree bark ideas will you try first?

Bark Quotes For Inspiration

“Jacob, however, took fresh-cut branches from poplar, almond and plane trees and made white stripes on them by peeling the bark and exposing the white inner wood of the branches.”  Genesis 30:37

“Look at the bark of a redwood, and you see moss. If you peer beneath the bits and pieces of the moss, you’ll see toads, small insects, a whole host of life that prospers in that miniature environment. A lumberman will look at a forest and see so many board feet of lumber. I see a living city.” –Sylvia Earle

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