Which material fits your DIY project? This is how you make the right choice.

Take a look around your home. How many different materials do you discover? Wood and metal are among the most common.

But which material is actually suitable for which project? Often, the color catches your eye first. However, for stability and durability, the material is crucial.

At Natural Goods Berlin, we rely on six basic materials that you will consistently find in our shop. Each brings its own properties and is suitable for different applications. We will show you the differences and which material is best suited for your DIY project.

01. First choose the material, then the finish

When building furniture, one should not only be guided by design and color. The material is the foundation and must be chosen consciously, as it determines the shape, stability, and the fundamental character of your project. Only then comes the finish, meaning color and surface.

Our tip: First, choose the right material. Then decide on the finish that matches your style and your project.

02. Which material fits your project?

Which material is the right choice depends mainly on the area of application, the desired stability, and the requirements of your project.

Box profile: The versatile all-rounder

Box profiles made of steel or stainless steel, also known as square tubes, are particularly versatile and suitable for many indoor furniture, whether freestanding or for wall mounting. Due to their high stability and clear shape, they are often used for table frames, table legs, wall consoles, shelf brackets, clothes rails or handrails.

Depending on the finish, they can also be used in damp rooms or in the outdoor area.

Round tube: Pleasant to the touch

Round tubes made of steel or stainless steel are suitable wherever the metal is regularly handled. Due to their round shape, they feel pleasant in the hand and are therefore often used for handrails, stair railings, clothes rails, coat racks and curtain rods. They are also used as table legs or table frames. Examples of this are our curtain rod ROUND or the handrail TUBE.

Round steel: Delicate and surprisingly stable

Round steel (a solid rod) allows for particularly delicate constructions without sacrificing stability. Therefore, it is ideal for Hairpin Legs (also known as hairpin table legs), side tables, furniture feet, shelf brackets, or smaller dining tables.

Our Hairpin Legs are made, for example, of 12 millimeter thick round steel and provide the popular mid-century look.

Flat steel: For clear edges

Flat steel made of solid steel creates clear lines with its flat edge while remaining visually restrained. It gives furniture shape without pushing itself into the foreground. Therefore, it is suitable for side tables, table columns, shelves, and furniture with a reduced appearance.

As a edge strip, flat steel keeps solid wood panels straight and counteracts warping. As a shelf support or bracket, it clearly showcases wall shelves, book shelves, and metal shelves. As a wall coat rack or shelf, it creates order with a graphic effect.

Cast iron: Flexible and expandable

Cast iron is particularly suitable for modular DIY projects. The plug and thread system of our Pipe Collection can be expanded or reconfigured at any time, making it ideal for shelves, coat racks or tables in industrial or vintage style.

The untreated surface is intentionally part of the character of the material and makes every project a true one-of-a-kind.

Solid wood: Natural and durable

Solid wood Made from 100% European oak, it brings warmth and rustic naturalness into your home. Oiled wood surfaces can be easily re-oiled if necessary, and minor signs of use can be easily repaired.

Whether tabletop, bench top, shelf board or seat bench: solid wood combines excellently with all metal profiles.

03. The right finish for your application area

Once the material is set, the choice of finish follows. The finish is independent of the material profile and determines color and surface. For our metal materials, such as box profile, round tube, round steel, and flat steel, various finishes are available depending on the product:

• Black, powder-coated: The low-maintenance all-rounder for almost any living area. The surface is robust, weatherproof, scratch-resistant, and particularly easy to clean. It is also an excellent choice for outdoor projects in outdoor areas and wet areas.

• White, powder-coated: A subtle alternative for light interiors. Easy to maintain and particularly popular in combination with solid wood.

• Stainless steel, brushed: The right choice for kitchens, bathrooms, or outdoor areas. Stainless steel is rust-free, moisture-resistant, weatherproof, and particularly durable. However, over time, so-called surface rust can form. These are superficial rust particles that can be removed with our special stainless steel cleaner EDELTRAUT can be easily removed.

• Industrial Anthracite or Silver, transparent powder-coated: The oiled surface provides an authentic raw steel look and can be individually processed further if needed. Ideal for those who want to keep the character of the material visibly intact.

• Antique Gold or Antique Rose Gold, galvanized: For decorative furniture and special design accents. The surface appears high-quality and is easy to maintain, but should be treated a bit more carefully than powder-coated variants.

Our cast iron products remain deliberately natural. The slightly rough casting appearance is simply part of the typical industrial look and makes each piece unique. And solid wood has its own finishing question: left natural or oiled, instead of lacquered or stained.

04. The materials in direct comparison

Our conclusion

Six materials, one principle: First, choose the right material for stability, function, and application. Then decide on the finish that gives your project the desired look.

Discover the right materials for your next DIY project now.

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