Bringing nature into your interiors is increasingly an ambition that homeowners have. We love the appeal of elements that make us feel at peace and calm, a connection to our true nature. Creating a space with a better connection to nature has also been proven to improve our health and wellbeing and reduce our stress.
Biophilia focuses on human’s innate attraction to nature
There is a term for this kind of design principle – ‘Biophilic Design’. Biophilia (meaning love of nature) focuses on human’s innate attraction to nature and natural processes. It suggests that we all have a genetic connection to the natural world built up through hundreds of thousands of years of living in agrarian settings. ‘Biophilic’ design principles have long been popular in the world of hospitality. Hotels and lodges that act as nature retreats have grown in popularity.
Here are 10 ideas to bring the benefits of the natural look to your space at home:
This is the no.1 interior design tip for a good reason. It is one of the easiest, cheapest and most beautiful natural elements that many don’t place high enough value on. Natural daylight can make any room come alive, it makes colours pop in your furnishings and wall decor and it makes humans feel healthy and inspired. Whether you use windows, borrowed light from solar tubes extended from your roof into closets or dark bathrooms, natural light can have an effect like no othe throughout your living interiors.
With the reemergence of green living and conserving the Earth’s precious resources there has been a renewed interest in homeowners finding building products that have been recycled and used in new ways, reclaimed from other building projects or repurposed into new functions. If you can use solar energy and/or energy saving devices, you will feel good about these new design choices.
Do you remember when the only greenery you used to see in people’s homes were artificial and usually covered with a thin layer of dust! These days nature is finding its way into more and more interiors in the real and natural state as flowers, potted plants such as succulents have created easy ways to bring natural appeal to your dining room table, coffee side table or front foyer table. In the past the upkeep of tending to houseplants was looked at as a chore. Today, planting indoor bulbs, or keeping low maintenance plants such as succulents, cactus, or just adorning your home office desk with a fresh bouquet can instantly cheer up any room. You could even get adventurous and try a ‘green vertical wall’!
In the early years of brick, making the natural process of using mud, clay and water and firing it at high temperatures to produce a solid and sturdy building component material were born. Today in modern design the appeal of brick is untouched by many materials. Its uniformity in pattern makes a gorgeous backdrop for urban lofts as well as adds texture and colour to any room. Choose to leave brick in its natural state as a focal point or paint over brick to use it as a subtle backdrop to showcase its reveals. This contrast against our all to familiar white walls will bring some contrast into your homne.
One of the reasons we love nature so much is our inherent connection to the outdoors and to natural elements that are living or decor that was living such as wood, cotton, leather and seagrass to name a few. Choosing materials that resonate with your personal style is the first step for bringing them into your home. One homeowner may enjoy the rugged nature of natural rock walls in their kitchen – while another may prefer the more sophisticated flair of dark mahogany flooring in their living room. Choose natural elements that incorporate your style and connect you to visual ques that you would identify with in the outdoors.
Water is life. It refreshes, revitalises and washes away the old to make way for the new. It moulds us and gives us the energy we need. Water features where ever possible are always a hit. Big or small!
Wood is one of the only materials that can be finished to look like shiny marble or can be left raw and unstained to reveal its gorgeous imperfections of knots and grains. Bringing wood into your interiors is one of the easiest and warmest of natural materials and comes in a variety of finishes, species and applications. From flooring to ceiling beams wood also can be reclaimed and refinished from older buildings to keep its life sustainability on-going for years in your home.
Look to artisan crafted furniture if you prefer a rustic and country appeal to your interiors. Not only will it bring personality to your space, it will undoubtedly have a story to tell. Look to antique wood bedroom and living furniture to bring back the nostalgia of early turn of the century home living. If your interiors prefer a contemporary appeal, furniture with minimal lines that is free from ornamentation can create show-stopping appeal in your kitchen bar stools or in your sleek headboard in your bedroom.
While bringing natural finishes into your home isn’t a new concept. The concept of bringing nature to every room of your interiors is a game changer for many homeowners. Whether you look to organic sheets and bedding in your bedroom adorned with birds and rustic leaves or you enjoy a bubbling Zen fountain in your home office, nature can find itself into any space of your life. Design your room around what makes you emotionally charged, excited, calmed or soothed and feel how nature plays a role in your interiors. According to Biophilic design principles, the green and blue colours of our Earth, ground and sky, automatically revitalise us.
Is there any room in the house that you love to relax & get rejuvenated for the new day than your bathroom? Connecting your body to water and heat can transport your mind and soul to serenity and calmness. There is no better way to complete your bathroom sanctuary than with natural materials. Wood walls are inspired by a dry heat sauna and create a sense of beneficial reinvigoration. While cool colours offer a sense of calm refreshment.
Many homeowners complain that natural materials are expensive and tend to ditch the idea of using it in their home remodeling projects. Instead of scrapping the idea why not use less of it? An accent stone wall can be just as gorgeous as an entire room adorned with the same product. If natural materials are still out of your remodeling budget why not try veneer products? Pre-engineered, laminates and veneer stone applications offer the look of nature without the high cost. While these may not work in every application, look to a home design specialist to help you price out materials that will make a natural design statement!
