Decorating Guides
Creative Ways to Connect Your Home With Nature
Benefit from the calming, restorative properties of the outdoors by bringing natural elements into your home
Biophilic design recognizes our innate need to connect with nature and operates on the principle that bringing elements of the outdoors into our homes benefits our health and well-being. Take inspiration from these rooms where designers have incorporated aspects of the natural world in interesting ways.
Weave In Greenery
Not only do houseplants look beautiful, but they also can help purify the air, so if you’re looking to bring nature into your home, they’re an obvious choice. You could simply put a few potted plants on windowsills and shelves, or see if you can find more interesting ways to display your greenery.
In this room, the designers at deVol Kitchens have installed a rope system along the length of a beam from which to hang macramé planters. It’s a smart idea that creates an attractive display above the island.
Shop for indoor pots and planters on Houzz
Not only do houseplants look beautiful, but they also can help purify the air, so if you’re looking to bring nature into your home, they’re an obvious choice. You could simply put a few potted plants on windowsills and shelves, or see if you can find more interesting ways to display your greenery.
In this room, the designers at deVol Kitchens have installed a rope system along the length of a beam from which to hang macramé planters. It’s a smart idea that creates an attractive display above the island.
Shop for indoor pots and planters on Houzz
Go Up the Wall
When you’re decorating a room, think about including a wall made from a natural material, such as wood. It will provide a visual element from the outdoors to gaze at.
The designers at JLB Property Developments have continued the engineered wood floorboards up the wall of this room to create an interesting variation on classic wood paneling. Room occupants enjoy a view of the garden on one side and a view of the beautiful wood grain on the other.
When you’re decorating a room, think about including a wall made from a natural material, such as wood. It will provide a visual element from the outdoors to gaze at.
The designers at JLB Property Developments have continued the engineered wood floorboards up the wall of this room to create an interesting variation on classic wood paneling. Room occupants enjoy a view of the garden on one side and a view of the beautiful wood grain on the other.
Mix Materials
If you want to use natural surfaces in your home but prefer sleek, modern materials, it’s possible to combine both.
This home features a monochrome palette with plenty of contemporary, polished finishes. However, Indie & Co. has sprinkled in a mix of organic materials to subtly create a natural feel.
Well-crafted, practical wood cabinetry is complemented by a canvas lampshade, woven rug and wooden dining furniture —and the layout of these items is cleverly balanced throughout the space.
If you want to use natural surfaces in your home but prefer sleek, modern materials, it’s possible to combine both.
This home features a monochrome palette with plenty of contemporary, polished finishes. However, Indie & Co. has sprinkled in a mix of organic materials to subtly create a natural feel.
Well-crafted, practical wood cabinetry is complemented by a canvas lampshade, woven rug and wooden dining furniture —and the layout of these items is cleverly balanced throughout the space.
Add Fragrance Naturally
It’s a good idea to fill your home with natural aromas as well. Use plants around the space to bring in subtle scents of the outdoors.
Herbs are ideal in the kitchen, as they double as food and fragrance. For a creative way to grow your herbs, consider having a planter built into your countertop, as the designers at Blakes London have done here. A narrow trough has been carved into the marble to provide easy access to fresh herbs.
12 Essential Herbs for Your Edible Garden
It’s a good idea to fill your home with natural aromas as well. Use plants around the space to bring in subtle scents of the outdoors.
Herbs are ideal in the kitchen, as they double as food and fragrance. For a creative way to grow your herbs, consider having a planter built into your countertop, as the designers at Blakes London have done here. A narrow trough has been carved into the marble to provide easy access to fresh herbs.
12 Essential Herbs for Your Edible Garden
Invent a View
A connection with nature can also be provided by artwork in the form of landscape paintings or photographs. Alternatively, use wallpaper to create even more of a visual impact.
In this child’s room, designer Yoko Kloeden has covered a wall with a forest scene. The trees are large enough to give an immersive feeling of being within nature, but the muted colors prevent the huge image from overwhelming the space.
A connection with nature can also be provided by artwork in the form of landscape paintings or photographs. Alternatively, use wallpaper to create even more of a visual impact.
In this child’s room, designer Yoko Kloeden has covered a wall with a forest scene. The trees are large enough to give an immersive feeling of being within nature, but the muted colors prevent the huge image from overwhelming the space.
Cover With Cork
If you’re after an organic feeling underfoot, choose natural flooring such as stone or wood.
For something a little different, cork can be a great option as it’s soft, durable and sustainable. In this bathroom, Design Storey laid a cork floor to provide the homeowners with a cushioned exit from the tub.
Tell us: How have you introduced nature into your home? Share your ideas in the Comments.
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If you’re after an organic feeling underfoot, choose natural flooring such as stone or wood.
For something a little different, cork can be a great option as it’s soft, durable and sustainable. In this bathroom, Design Storey laid a cork floor to provide the homeowners with a cushioned exit from the tub.
Tell us: How have you introduced nature into your home? Share your ideas in the Comments.
More on Houzz
The Perfect Houseplant for People Who Kill Houseplants
Find an interior designer
Shop for home decor
When you’re renovating your home, consider ways to maximize the amount of glass you incorporate to provide natural sunlight and a view of the outdoors.
Here, an addition has created a small courtyard between the original building and the new construction. Mimodo Architects made the most of this extra outside area by installing a picture window in the home office area.
It means the floor-to-ceiling storage is broken up by a large rectangle of glass. The deep frame of natural wood helps differentiate the outside view from the inside and provides a seating area.
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