Cob House Interiors: Design Tips for an Inviting Space -2023

Images courtesy of Homecrux, The Year of Mud, naturalhomes.org, and The Plaid Zebra.

Have you been dreaming of creating a warm, cozy, and inviting space?

You don’t need to invest in expensive materials or hard-to-find furniture; consider sustainable materials like cob. There are many trending cob house interiors that are easy to recreate and can help you create a unique, inviting space that’s sure to be the envy of your friends.

Let’s be realistic — getting stylish interior design tips for cob houses isn’t always easy. Since cob house construction is considered an alternative building method, finding interior design ideas that don’t seem challenging is difficult. But with the right tips, you can create an alluring cob house interior in no time.

In this article, I’ll discuss cob house interiors and design tips for an inviting space. Whether it’s your main residence or a holiday retreat, cob houses offer the perfect mix of rustic charm and contemporary styles. Let’s dive right in!

Embrace Natural Materials

Cob houses are made from natural materials that incorporate sand, straw, clay, and water. Continuing this theme indoors can add a unique, rustic feel to the interior.

Look for naturally occurring materials, such as wood and stone, and use them throughout the house.

Besides adding to the rustic charm of cob houses, these natural materials create a warm, inviting atmosphere that’s sure to please many.

Here are some tips for using natural materials as an interior design element for your cob house:

• Use wood for furniture, flooring, and ceiling beams.
• Include stone accents in the kitchen and bathroom.
• Utilize natural fibers like cotton and linen for curtains and upholstery.

Michael Buck, a retired teacher, and farmer, incorporated wooden floors into his cob house. The result is as shown in the image below:

Mix Old and New

Mixing old and new is another trend in cob house interior design. This fashion combines vintage and modern elements to create a unique yet timeless home. It’s an ideal way to make your cob house feel more contemporary without sacrificing its rustic charm.

A point worth noting is that you don’t need to invest in expensive furniture or materials for an effective mix of old and new.

Vintage items from thrift stores or flea markets can give your cob house an eclectic feel that’s sure to impress.

Here are some tips for incorporating this trend into your cob house:

• Introduce antique furniture pieces in the living room.
• Hang statement art pieces from different eras.
• Layer vintage rugs in the bedroom or hallway.
• Add unique light fixtures to create a focal point.

One case study for this approach is a cob house by architect Feile Butler who used modern lighting fixtures for her cob house. The result is as shown below:

Go Bohemian

A Bohemian-style interior design is perfect for cob houses as it adds a free-spirited, eclectic feel that’s both inviting and inspiring.

Bohemian style often incorporates bright colors, natural materials, and vintage items – all of which are perfect for creating an inviting cocoon in your cob house.

Embracing a mix-and-match approach to furniture and décor is an easier way to achieve this design. You can combine pieces from different eras and styles for a personalized space.

Here are some tips for creating a Bohemian-style interior design in your cob house:

• Introduce bright colors with patterned rugs, throws, or cushions.
• Include vintage pieces such as an armchair or sideboard.
• Incorporate natural materials like wood and stone throughout the house.

The cob guest house by Don and McDougall is an excellent depiction of this design, as shown below:

Incorporate Plants

Plants not only make indoor spaces more appealing and lively, but they also play a role in your overall health. They can also be used as accent pieces to create a certain expression.

When it comes to cob house interiors, plants can be used to add texture and vibrancy. You can use succulents, ferns, and terrariums for a natural feel.

Introduce larger potted plants like palm trees or fiddle-leaf figs to give your space more of a statement look.

Here are some tips for incorporating plants as part of your cob house interior design:

• Include potted plants around windows to brighten dull corners.
• Mix different types of plants for a unique space.
• Hang macrame planters in the living room or bedroom for a boho-chic feel.
• Hang some plants from the ceiling.

Case study-wise, the cob cottage on Mayne Island is an example of using plants to create a statement look, as seen below:

Embrace Curves

Naturally, cob houses have a soft, curvy aesthetic that should be incorporated into the interior design.

This can be done by introducing curved furniture, arched doorways, and vaulted ceilings instead of straight, rigid lines.

You can also use curves to create a unique look in the furnishings, such as incorporating rounded corners on tables and seating.

Here are some tips for embracing curves when designing your cob house:

• Introduce curved furniture pieces like armchairs, sofas, and ottomans.
• Add arched doorways and windows to create a statement look.
• Incorporate curved light fixtures.

An example of curves used in cob house design is the curvy windows and staircases of Michael Buck’s cob house, as shown below:

Embrace Impressive Craftsmanship on the Interior Walls

Cob houses are usually built using mud and straw as building materials. However, it’s possible to add character to the interior walls by adding a layer of plaster or paint.

To create a truly impressive look, you can also introduce intricate woodwork on the walls in patterns such as diamond-shaped latticework or herringbone designs.

Here are some tips for enhancing the interior walls:

• Introduce plaster or paint for a clean, bright finish.
• Incorporate intricate woodwork designs like latticework or herringbone patterns.
• Add unique wall treatments such as stencils or tapestries.

One example is the impressive craftsmanship on the walls of Lisa and Rich’s cob house, shown below:

Final Thoughts

Cob house interiors can be transformed into a beautiful boho-style sanctuary with the right colors, shapes, and materials.

You can create an inviting space that reflects your style by introducing bright colors, vintage pieces, and natural materials such as plants and woodwork.

Now that you know a few more design tips for an inviting cob house interior, here is everything you need to know about bamboo roofs, another sustainable building material.