Choose building materials according to the desired interior style
- coraliefortin076
- Oct 1
- 10 min read
When a homeowner undertakes the construction or renovation of a house, cottage, or garage, one of the most difficult challenges is choosing materials. This choice is not only based on technical criteria (budget, durability, weather resistance), but also on aesthetic imperatives. Indeed, the interior style you're aiming for—rustic, modern, Scandinavian, industrial, classic, etc.—will greatly influence the materials you should choose to achieve visual and architectural consistency.
At Plan Maison Québec, our mission is to support homeowners throughout every stage of their project, including choosing the right materials to reflect the desired interior style. In this article, we'll explore how to select harmonious materials for different styles, the trade-offs to consider, and offer concrete advice to guide your decisions.
Understanding the link between interior style and choice of materials
Before you start choosing wood, stone, or concrete, it's essential to clearly define the interior style you want. Style isn't just about decoration: it structures the volumes, textures, and transitions between interior and exterior. Consistency between the structure (frame, walls, roofs) and the finishes (coverings, veneers, decorative elements) guarantees a harmonious result.
For example, a Scandinavian design will favor light, natural materials with clean surfaces. An industrial style will seek out raw materials like polished concrete, steel, or brick. A rustic or farmhouse style will invite wood, stone, and warm textures. Each style imposes and limits choices—a very modern material could clash with a rustic interior, and vice versa.
In any house plan or renovation design, Plan Maison Québec ensures that the main stylistic guidelines are integrated from the very beginning. This allows for the coordination of structural and decorative choices without having to “glue” elements together later.
Common styles and their associated materials
Here we will explore several popular styles in Quebec (and more broadly in North America) and see which materials lend themselves best to them, both indoors and outdoors.
Scandinavian / Nordic style
This style emphasizes light, simplicity, and a connection with nature. Natural materials—light wood (punched, maple, pine), linen, wool, and soft stone—are at the heart of the palette. Exteriors favor light-colored cladding, unstained (or even bleached) wood panels, or soft gray surfaces. Scandinavian style is also reflected in architecture, with simple volumes, modest roofs, and large windows.
The use of stones with irregular contours or raw textures can enrich a Scandinavian facade by adding depth without overwhelming it. Interiors, light wood floors and horizontal paneling are natural choices.
Contemporary / modern style
Contemporary style plays on light, straight lines, contrasts, and innovative materials. Polished concrete, steel, glass, minimalist engineered wood, and composite panels are common combinations. Exterior cladding can combine wood, metal panels, composite siding, or large fiber cement panels.
Interiors, smooth surfaces, sleek furniture, and materials with matte or satin finishes are preferred. Elements such as textured laminate surfaces imitating concrete or stone are often used to combine aesthetics with ease of maintenance.
Rustic / farmhouse / country style
This style evokes the countryside, naturalness, and warmth. Solid wood, rough stone, rustic bricks, exposed beams, and wide plank floors are typical elements. Exterior facades can combine wood planks, stone cladding, or aged bricks. The roof can include materials such as asphalt shingles or galvanized sheet metal.
Inside, you'll find wide-plank wood floors, stone or plaster walls, paneling, and natural textures. Linen, cotton, or wool textiles reinforce the warm, organic feel. Plan Maison Québec often recommends the use of local materials (Quebec wood, regional stones) to strengthen the project's identity.
Industrial style
Inspired by lofts and urban warehouses, the industrial style celebrates raw materials: concrete, exposed steel, visible piping, and decrepit brick. Inside, brick walls, polished or painted concrete floors, and metal elements (railings, beams) are very present. For a garage or workshop, this can be a natural choice. Metal panels can be used for exterior facades or partial cladding.
Classic / Traditional Style
The classic (or traditional) style emphasizes balanced proportions, architectural details, and noble yet timeless materials. Brick, cut stone, worked wood, and ornamentation (moldings, columns) are common. Inside, paneling, solid wood, patterned floors, moldings, and woodwork are common.
This style works well with durable materials and elegant combinations (wood + stone, brick + plaster)—while being careful not to overwhelm. Outside, mixed cladding such as brick + stucco + wood can create visual balance without compromising the style.
Criteria to consider beyond aesthetics
Although style strongly guides the choice of materials, several practical constraints must be taken into account. Plan Maison Québec always includes these factors in its recommendations to ensure results that are both functional and aesthetic.
Durability and maintenance
A beautiful but fragile or high-maintenance material can become a source of regret. For example, solid wood is beautiful, but it "breathes": it can expand or contract depending on humidity. Choosing stabilized or engineered wood can reduce this movement.
Some alternative materials, such as composite wood or composite panels, offer finishes that mimic wood or stone, while reducing maintenance. However, depending on the desired interior style, their use must be calibrated to remain credible.
Climatic and regional requirements
In Quebec in particular, the climate imposes significant constraints: freeze-thaw cycles, temperature variations, humidity, and snow. The choice of materials must take into account resistance to cold, moisture, and expansion. Certain materials, such as locally quarried bricks or stone, prove very stable under these conditions. Well-mixed concrete, well-designed composite materials, or fiberboard can also be relevant options, depending on their composition.
In addition, some regions will impose building codes or constraints (snow, wind, loads). It is important to ensure that the materials chosen meet structural standards and insulation requirements. Plan Maison Québec ensures that aesthetic choices do not conflict with regulatory compliance.
Cost and budget
Naturally, cost plays an important role. Certain noble or high-end materials (cut stone, exotic wood, special panels) can increase the budget. Sometimes compromises must be made: use less expensive "similar" materials for certain areas, and reserve the exceptional material for strategic areas (accent walls, fireplace, main facade).
A good choice is often a compromise between cost, aesthetics, and durability. Plan Maison Québec recommends allowing for transitions (e.g., junctions between different materials) and taking into account installation costs (fixing, treatment, caulking).
Interior-exterior visual consistency
The exterior and interior finishing materials must complement each other. For example, if you choose rough stone for one facade, a matching stone interior (fireplace, accent wall) reinforces the cohesion. If the house has rough wood exterior beams, extending this aesthetic into the interior will create a visual continuum.
Always think about "transitions"—thresholds, frames, and junctions between materials must be carefully considered to avoid visual disruptions. Plan Maison Québec places great importance on this common thread between exterior and interior.
Strategies for choosing materials according to your interior style
This section offers a methodical approach that Plan Maison Québec uses (and passes on to its clients) to select the most suitable materials.
1. Clearly define your main style (and its variations)
Before choosing materials, start by clearly defining your style (e.g., "rustic Scandinavian," "warm modern," "industrial chic"). This allows you to narrow down compatible materials rather than considering everything from scratch.
Ask yourself: What type of ambiance do you want? What decorative elements appeal to you? What level of maintenance are you willing to accept? What is your maximum budget for finishing materials?
2. Establish a palette of complementary materials and textures
Once the style is defined, create a limited palette (3 to 5 materials) that you consider "dominant" or "accentuated." For example, for a contemporary style, this could be: polished concrete, stained wood fiber panels, matte black steel, light engineered wood, glass. For a rustic style: local solid wood, cut stone, old bricks, raw metal, weathered sheet metal.
Make sure the chosen materials can coexist visually: check the base colors, textures (smooth vs. rough), and finishes (matte, satin, textured). Plan Maison Québec often offers samples or 3D renderings to visualize these combinations.
3. Choose accent areas carefully
You don't need to use the "star" material throughout the entire building. It can be reserved for accent areas—the front facade, the foyer, the living room wall, and the entrance. For example, a contemporary home might have a partially exposed stone facade, with the rest made of composite or wood panels. This reduces costs while maintaining visual impact.
4. Plan for junctions, transitions and thresholds
Junctions between materials (wood/stone, concrete/glass, metal/wood) are often critical. It is necessary to plan thresholds, moldings, transition strips, water drainage, and expansion joints. Poor detailing can ruin the aesthetic effect and compromise performance (infiltration, cracks). Integrating these transitions is part of the expertise that Plan Maison Québec brings to its plans.
5. Assess technical and architectural feasibility
A material may be aesthetically appealing, but poorly suited to certain architectural shapes, roof slopes, or structural constraints. It's always important to check compatibility with your plans (spans, loads, insulation). That's why at Plan Maison Québec, the choice of materials is often made in parallel with the structural design.
Concrete examples of material/style combinations
Here are some examples of material combinations for different styles, inspired by current trends and best practices.
Example 1: Modern Farmhouse Style House (Modern + Rustic)
For a home that blends country charm with contemporary touches, we recommend:
Facade: vertical wood or stained wood fiber panels + rough stone on the entrance or fireplace to accentuate the design.
Roof: asphalt shingles or metal sheeting, depending on your budget.
Interior: exposed beams (reclaimed or laminated wood), wide wood flooring, light walls with some stone walls.
Accents: black metal (railings, light fixtures) for a contemporary touch.
This combination guarantees a warm, timeless, and attractive look. Plan Maison Québec often recommends this compromise for cottage or modernized rural home projects.
Example 2: Industrial interior
A loft or garage converted into a living space can adopt an industrial style:
Walls: Exposed brick or clad concrete blocks.
Floors: Polished concrete or stained concrete flooring.
Beams and structures: Exposed steel, metal gussets.
Details: Exposed piping, steel light fixtures, metal-framed windows.
For transitional areas (kitchen, bathroom), you can soften the ambiance with solid wood countertops or light wood panels for balance. The key is to maintain a raw-minimalist consistency.
Example 3: Contemporary house with natural accents
In a home with a clean design, you can incorporate touches of natural materials to add warmth:
Facade: smooth concrete mix, mineral fiber panels, heat-treated wood.
Interior walls: smooth plaster, large bay windows, some sections in light wood panels.
Floors: polished concrete, engineered flooring in a light or neutral tone.
Accents: local stone (on the fireplace, interior wall), black metal or anodized aluminum for the frames.
This approach maintains the purity of the contemporary style while avoiding a cold or sterile appearance.
Common mistakes to avoid when choosing materials
Even with the best intentions, certain pitfalls are common. Here are some mistakes to watch out for—and how Plan Maison Québec helps customers avoid them.
Incompatibility between materials and style
The most common mistake is to introduce a material that is too "out of style," often for reasons of cost or convenience. For example, installing flashy vinyl siding in a rustic-style home or adding metal panels to a warm Scandinavian interior. This creates a visual dissonance. Always check that the materials chosen are in keeping with the stylistic tone.
Neglecting junctions and transitions
A beautiful wood and stone ensemble can be ruined by a poorly treated junction: rough edges, visible joints, unforeseen expansion. Planning transition strips, expansion joints, and thresholds is essential. Much corrective work results from these underestimated transitions. Plan Maison Québec includes these details in its architectural plans.
Choose only based on the initial price
Relying solely on the purchase price of the material without considering its durability or maintenance often leads to high hidden costs (replacement, refinishing, maintenance). Some “premium” materials are more cost-effective in the long run. The calculation must be made over the lifespan.
Forgetting the environmental impact or the provenance
In a modern context, origin (local vs. imported), ecological footprint, recyclability, or compatibility with sustainable materials are important criteria. A well-chosen local material will often offer a better ecological balance and greater regional coherence.
Do not test visually
A mockup, a 3D rendering, or a few physical samples can prevent costly mistakes. Materials can change color depending on the light, their position in the room, their aging, etc. Plan Maison Québec always encourages visual validation before final approval of choices.
Recommended process at Plan Maison Québec for the choice of materials
Here's the process we follow with our clients to ensure that the materials chosen serve both form and function:
Preliminary exploration of style and inspiration
We use photographs, mood boards, and examples to identify your stylistic preferences (Scandinavian, rustic, contemporary, etc.).
Proposal of a material/texture palette
We suggest 3 to 5 main materials compatible with your style, taking into account budget, durability, and regional constraints.
Visual renderings and simulations
Based on the house or project plans, we integrate the chosen materials into renderings (3D plans, perspectives) to visualize the combinations and adjust them if necessary.
Technical analysis and validation
We verify the compatibility of the materials with structural, climatic, and building code constraints. We adjust them as needed (thicknesses, fasteners, transitions).
Selection of application areas
Determine where to apply each material (facades, accent walls, key interior areas) to optimize visual impact while respecting budget.
Detailed documentation in the plans
The delivered plans contain specifications (thicknesses, fasteners, joints, finishes) so contractors know exactly how to execute the project.
Construction site monitoring
While a construction site is underway, Plan Maison Québec can provide support or advice to validate installations and joints to ensure the final result is accurate.
Conclusion: style building materials
Choosing building materials based on the desired interior style is a crucial step in the success of any construction or renovation project. At Plan Maison Québec, we firmly believe that aesthetics should never be separated from technique—and that good design is born from the balance between stylistic vision and practical constraints.
By adopting a structured approach (definition of style, material palette, visual validation, technical consistency), you reduce the risk of visual discord, costly mistakes, or future regrets. Whether you want to build a sleek contemporary home, a rustic chalet full of character, or a stylish garage that matches your existing home, Plan Maison Québec is equipped to guide you through this process.
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