Can Exposed Plywood Make Your House Proud?
Usually relegated to an invisible supporting role, plywood can be the hero of your decor in ways you'll want to explore
Plywood is made by gluing thin layers of wood, each successive sheet turned at right angles to the last for strength. It then undergoes a process that involves high temperature and pressure, resulting in a strong board (available in 3–25 millimetre thicknesses). Plywood is primarily used as a substrate beneath decorative surface finishes, such as veneers and laminates, but this light and durable material can also be left exposed. Raw plywood installation is a cheaper alternative (the cost of decorative sheathing is reduced) and can be aesthetically pleasing too. Wondering how? Read on.
Plywood can be used to hide extruding columns, ducts, piping or a seepage-stained wall. The panels can be detached and reinstalled at the time of repair work without much hassle.
The plywood-slat panelling in the picture might hide untidy elements, but it also makes for a warming accent feature against the crisp white backdrop. Similarly, you can have plywood bed headboards, TV unit backs, skirting boards, and anything else that takes your fancy – there are endless possibilities to ramp up your home decor with plywood panelling.
The plywood-slat panelling in the picture might hide untidy elements, but it also makes for a warming accent feature against the crisp white backdrop. Similarly, you can have plywood bed headboards, TV unit backs, skirting boards, and anything else that takes your fancy – there are endless possibilities to ramp up your home decor with plywood panelling.
On the ceiling
With plywood ceilings in brick-and-concrete homes, you can create a faux impression of a wooden ceiling in a room. Not only does it add charm to the decor but the gap between the plywood and concrete ceilings acts as an insulator to reduce the entry of heat through the roof.
With plywood ceilings in brick-and-concrete homes, you can create a faux impression of a wooden ceiling in a room. Not only does it add charm to the decor but the gap between the plywood and concrete ceilings acts as an insulator to reduce the entry of heat through the roof.
On the floor
Plywood, particularly made of hardwood, can be great for making floors. However, a strong framing system needs to back the plywood to stop the sheets bending under pressure of weight from furniture and foot traffic. When compared to solid-wood floors, plywood floors are considerably lighter on the pocket.
Tip: To seal the joints on the floor and fill crevices or cracks, varnish (a sealant) needs to be applied to the plywood. Then sanding can refine the surface for a smooth texture. You may colour the floor a lighter or a darker hue with staining agents. For a glossy finish, lacquer should be applied as the top coat.
Plywood, particularly made of hardwood, can be great for making floors. However, a strong framing system needs to back the plywood to stop the sheets bending under pressure of weight from furniture and foot traffic. When compared to solid-wood floors, plywood floors are considerably lighter on the pocket.
Tip: To seal the joints on the floor and fill crevices or cracks, varnish (a sealant) needs to be applied to the plywood. Then sanding can refine the surface for a smooth texture. You may colour the floor a lighter or a darker hue with staining agents. For a glossy finish, lacquer should be applied as the top coat.
As shelves and cupboards
Be it cupboards, study room shelves or puja room storage, plain plywood can be left exposed anywhere and everywhere. You can simply leave it as it is, with its natural grain showing.
If you want more than a utilitarian look, shelves and cabinetry are the perfect place to experiment with hues and lacquers on plywood. Introduce colours, add metal handles, top up with polish for gloss … in short, get creative! The one in the picture is a yellow-stained birch plywood bookcase with prominent exposed edges.
Be it cupboards, study room shelves or puja room storage, plain plywood can be left exposed anywhere and everywhere. You can simply leave it as it is, with its natural grain showing.
If you want more than a utilitarian look, shelves and cabinetry are the perfect place to experiment with hues and lacquers on plywood. Introduce colours, add metal handles, top up with polish for gloss … in short, get creative! The one in the picture is a yellow-stained birch plywood bookcase with prominent exposed edges.
In the kitchen
Take a cue from this kitchen that features a mix of open and closed cabinets, some coloured and some bare. Bare edges mark the seams of the cabinets beneath the platform. I suggest you coat the plywood with varnish or other sealants to make upkeep easier in areas prone to oil and food stains.
Ways to save money on kitchen cabinets
Take a cue from this kitchen that features a mix of open and closed cabinets, some coloured and some bare. Bare edges mark the seams of the cabinets beneath the platform. I suggest you coat the plywood with varnish or other sealants to make upkeep easier in areas prone to oil and food stains.
Ways to save money on kitchen cabinets
In the bathroom
Once sealed and sanded properly, plywood can be left bare on cabinets and shelves of bathrooms, too. The panel can be laser-cut to make perforations; see how this perforated cupboard door can double as a peg board.
Tip: Make sure you use an MR (moisture-resistant) grade of plywood for this purpose.
Once sealed and sanded properly, plywood can be left bare on cabinets and shelves of bathrooms, too. The panel can be laser-cut to make perforations; see how this perforated cupboard door can double as a peg board.
Tip: Make sure you use an MR (moisture-resistant) grade of plywood for this purpose.
For a minimalist look, consider covering the vanity with a plywood board as a countertop. This teak plywood sheet proudly shows off its layered edges in the bathroom.
As a staircase
Yes, a thick grade of plywood can be used to construct a staircase and railings, too. Here, unfinished birch plywood is used for achieving the urban-industrial look.
Tip: With proper bonds and braces, a 25-millimetre-thick or above plywood would do the trick.
Yes, a thick grade of plywood can be used to construct a staircase and railings, too. Here, unfinished birch plywood is used for achieving the urban-industrial look.
Tip: With proper bonds and braces, a 25-millimetre-thick or above plywood would do the trick.
As furniture
This chair is made of reclaimed plywood. There are retailers who offer chairs, diwans (day beds), benches, tables, side tables and so on, made of soft and hard plywood. You can explore the options available at your local dealer’s.
This chair is made of reclaimed plywood. There are retailers who offer chairs, diwans (day beds), benches, tables, side tables and so on, made of soft and hard plywood. You can explore the options available at your local dealer’s.
You can style your own custom table, chairs, centre tables, stools and more with good quality hardwood plywood pieces. This table is made of birch plywood – sanded to smoothen sharp edges and slightly stained to resist scratches.
As a light fixture
What could be better than a distinctive sculptural lamp made of wood? Very thin sheets of plywood are amenable to bending and moulding. This characteristic makes them promising material for fabricating hanging pendants, sconces, table lamps, etc.
Read more:
10 Best Materials That Can Substitute Solid Wood
Which Interior Finish to Choose: Wood Veneer or Laminate?
Tell us:
How have you used plywood in your home? Do share in Comments.
What could be better than a distinctive sculptural lamp made of wood? Very thin sheets of plywood are amenable to bending and moulding. This characteristic makes them promising material for fabricating hanging pendants, sconces, table lamps, etc.
Read more:
10 Best Materials That Can Substitute Solid Wood
Which Interior Finish to Choose: Wood Veneer or Laminate?
Tell us:
How have you used plywood in your home? Do share in Comments.
Plywood works well for partially or fully panelled walls. The board can be stained, painted or polished to make custom patterns or they can be left unfinished with its visible natural grain.
For this Scandinavian dining room, the plywood table was stained white to make the texture more prominent. I love the brown-and-grey colour combo!
Browse more spaces where plywood is being used