On average, we spend about 90 percent of our time indoors, and thanks to COVID-19, it’s likely even more for some people. Now that you know that, it’s also important to know that many studies suggest that you can improve your physical and mental wellbeing by bringing the outdoors in.
Your home should be a place to collect your thoughts and refresh your mind and body. As such, bringing Mother Nature into your home is a great way to make your indoor space into a sanctuary. Here are several ideas that will help you bring nature into your home.
1. Build Around A Tree
The idea isn’t new, but it is timeless. If you’re building your dream home, try building it around a large tree to instantly bring the beauty and ambiance of nature indoors.
2. Kitchen Herb Garden
To bring nature into your kitchen, plant an herb garden along a wall or two. Hanging flower boxes make for the perfect garden setting, and when stuffed with fresh growing herbs like thyme, rosemary, mint, parsley, basil, and tarragon, you might be inspired to release your inner chef.
3. Build A Greenhouse
Greenhouses aren’t just for commercial growers. You can build one in your home or in your yard where fresh fruits and vegetables abound and beautiful flowers spring forth. There’s nothing quite like harvesting home-grown veggies in the summer and cutting fresh flowers for the table in the winter.
4. Choose Rustic Finishes
Rustic touches such as a natural wood countertop or a wood paneled accent wall can transform a room from cold and uninviting to warm and welcoming in an instant.
5. Bring In A Houseplant Or Two
Even if you don’t have a green thumb, there are many varieties of houseplants that can thrive in an indoor environment with little care. Spider plants, for example, require little care but will add a lovely natural touch to the space and will improve air quality, too.
6. Choose Earthy Colors
Earth tones such as shades of gray, green, and blue bring a sense of nature into the home, lending a soothing vibe to any room.
7. Use Raw Wood Accents
Raw wood accents such as reclaimed barn wood beams, trim, and cabinetry can give a room a warm atmosphere that’s both rustic and beautiful. Most people marvel at the effect old barn wood has as a décor accent in a country home.
8. Use Natural Fibers
Adding natural fibers to a room is an easy way to bring the outdoors in. Wicker furniture, woven sea grass rugs, faux fur, etc. are all nature-inspired fibers that instill a sense of the great outdoors inside your home.
9. Incorporate A Water Feature
The sound of running water works wonders to soothe and relax. Try adding a desktop fountain or, if possible, build an actual babbling brook right through the center of your home.
10. Nature-inspired Art
Another easy and effective way to bring the beauty of nature into your home is to hang nature-inspired artwork on the walls. From a simple sunset landscape to wildlife shots and nature scenes, you are only limited by your own imagination.
