Cork walls are quickly becoming a favourite feature in Australian homes and commercial spaces alike and it’s easy to see why. Lightweight, versatile, and crafted from the bark of the cork oak tree, cork wall sheets offer a warm, natural aesthetic while quietly improving the comfort and function of your interior spaces.
Whether you’re designing a calming home office or upgrading the acoustics of a bustling café, cork interior design brings both beauty and practicality to the table. Below, the team at Portugal Cork Co. has shared five ways to use cork wall sheets creatively, followed by answers to the most common questions we hear from customers considering cork as a wall covering.
So let's begin with number one:
1. Create a Feature Wall That Feels Grounded and Warm
Natural cork wall sheets bring texture and visual interest to a space without overwhelming it. Use cork wall sheets as a subtle yet grounding feature in living rooms, bedrooms or open-plan kitchens. The organic tones and unique grain patterns of natural cork create a feeling of warmth and calm, making them ideal for areas where people gather or relax.
For best effect, pair your cork wall feature with other natural materials like timber, wool, and stone to maintain a cohesive, earthy interior design style.
2. Make Your Home Office a Sound-Smart Sanctuary
With more Australians working from home, creating a quiet, focused space has never been more important. Cork walls offer natural acoustic insulation, absorbing sound rather than bouncing it around the room.
Installing cork wall tiles behind your desk or along shared walls helps reduce background noise, which is especially useful if you live in a busy household. Add in cork flooring, and you’ve got a stylish, soft, and sound-smart workspace that boosts comfort and productivity.
3. Add Functionality to Kids’ Rooms and Creative Spaces
Looking for wall coverings that look great and work hard? Cork is ideal for children’s rooms, craft studios and brainstorming spaces. Cork wall sheets are soft to the touch, lightweight, and resistant to dust, making them a practical choice in high-use areas.
Even better, they can double as large pinboards. This is perfect for showcasing art, displaying notes, or letting the little ones hang their latest creations. The natural warmth of cork creates a comforting environment where creativity can thrive.
4. Reduce Echo in Open-Plan Living Spaces
Open-plan designs are beautiful, but they can get noisy. Cork wall sheets offer a natural solution by reducing echo and improving acoustics without sacrificing style. Because cork is a porous material, it helps break up sound waves, making conversations clearer and environments more comfortable.
Whether you install cork behind your TV unit, near a dining space, or along a high-traffic hallway, its noise-reducing properties help bring quiet balance to even the busiest home layouts.
5. Design a Sustainable, Stylish Café or Shop Interior
Cork interior design isn’t just for homes. Businesses looking to create inviting, modern interiors can benefit from cork’s eco-friendly appeal and visual charm. Cork wall sheets can act as a backdrop to menu boards, coffee tables, product displays, or dining areas, providing softness and warmth that customers instinctively respond to.
Thanks to its durability, thermal comfort, and resistance to moisture, cork performs well in commercial environments while showcasing your brand’s commitment to sustainability.
Common Questions about Cork Wall Tiles
Is Cork Good for Walls?
Yes! Cork is a highly suitable and increasingly popular choice for wall coverings. It’s naturally insulating, moisture-resistant, and sound-absorbent, making it functional as well as visually appealing.
Cork wall sheets and tiles are lightweight and easy to install, and they come in a range of finishes to suit both modern and classic interior spaces. Because cork is harvested without cutting down the cork oak tree, it’s also a renewable modern material, making it ideal for environmentally conscious design projects.
Can You Plaster Over Cork Walls?
Technically, yes, but it’s not usually recommended unless you’re removing the cork completely or using it as a temporary base. Cork wall tiles and sheets are designed to be versatile elements that are seen and appreciated, not hidden.
Plastering over cork may affect its natural flexibility and ability to insulate or absorb sound. If you’re planning a wall makeover and thinking about using cork temporarily, consider whether a removable option like cork pinboard tiles might suit better.
How Well Does Cork Soundproof a Wall?
Cork is an excellent natural sound absorber, but it’s important to understand the distinction between sound absorption and soundproofing. While cork won’t block sound entirely like specialised insulation or double-brick walls, it significantly reduces echo and softens ambient noise.
Thanks to its unique cellular structure, cork absorbs mid to high-frequency sounds. These are sounds like voices, footsteps, and background chatter. In this way, it's a great option for homes, offices, and commercial spaces. Its noise reduction is especially effective when used across large surface areas, such as full cork wall sheets.
If your goal is to completely isolate sound, such as in a music studio or recording booth, cork works best as part of a broader soundproofing system. But for improving everyday acoustic comfort and reducing noise transfer in shared or open spaces, cork walls are a stylish and effective solution.
Why Choose Portugal Cork Co. for Cork Wall Sheets?
At Portugal Cork Co., we source premium cork wall products directly from trusted Portuguese suppliers. Every cork tile and sheet is crafted from bark sustainably harvested from the cork oak tree, allowing the tree to live on and regenerate naturally, a process that can continue for over 200 years.
We’re proud to offer Australians access to one of the world’s most sustainable and versatile materials. Whether you’re refreshing one room or designing a multi-site project, our range of cork wall tiles and cork wall sheets is harvested ethically and curated for quality, longevity and ease of use.
You’ll also find that cork complements other materials beautifully. Its soft texture and warm tone work with almost any design palette, from Scandi minimalism to earthy boho interiors.
Learn more about Why You Should Choose Cork.
Bring Natural Warmth to Your Interiors
Cork walls aren’t just a passing trend. This material is a timeless, sustainable solution for those wanting to bring comfort, calm, and natural texture into their spaces. Whether used as a focal point or functional layer, cork wall sheets are a beautiful way to enhance both the look and feel of a room.
At Portugal Cork Co., we’re here to help you bring your project to life. Explore our range of cork wall products and discover how cork can transform your space - naturally.
Have a question? Contact our local team to discover cork solutions today.
Portugal Cork Co - Supplying premium cork products to Australian homes and businesses. Sustainable. Stylish. Naturally better.
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