7 Ideas for Bringing a Natural Feel to Your Kitchen
Whether you want to freshen up the kitchen you have or remodel it, these ideas will bring more nature to your space
Personally, I dream of having a kitchen inside a greenhouse, where plants overflow and the ceiling and walls feature abundant glass. But not all of us are in the position of transforming our kitchens into greenhouses that also have cabinets and cooking gear.
Here are seven ways to get a greenhouse or garden vibe in your own kitchen. Some you can do without remodeling. The rest you might want to plan for as part of a kitchen remodel. Which is your favorite way to bring the outdoors into your kitchen?
1. Incorporate Large Houseplants
Nothing beats real foliage when it comes to creating a nature theme. If your kitchen gets natural light, consider adding large plants, like the ones in this kitchen.
Your Happy Houseplant Checklist
Nothing beats real foliage when it comes to creating a nature theme. If your kitchen gets natural light, consider adding large plants, like the ones in this kitchen.
Your Happy Houseplant Checklist
Tropical plants like the one shown in this kitchen are nice options, because big leaves feel lush and look clean.
Decorating with plants is a great way to fill awkward spaces with color and nature.
The large window in this kitchen has a beautiful garden view, but the tropical houseplant fills the corner and adds life year-round.
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Decorating with plants is a great way to fill awkward spaces with color and nature.
The large window in this kitchen has a beautiful garden view, but the tropical houseplant fills the corner and adds life year-round.
Find an interior designer in your area
2. Add Greenery With Nature-Themed Plates and Pitchers
What better backdrop for your salad or pie? Nature-themed china can bring greenery to your kitchen minus the challenge of keeping plants alive.
Try displaying plates and pitchers in glass cabinets to keep the garden inspiration visible year-round.
Even with a simple table setting, this kitchen table resembles a garden party with cabbage china by Bordallo Pinheiro.
Shop for nature- and floral-themed china on Houzz
What better backdrop for your salad or pie? Nature-themed china can bring greenery to your kitchen minus the challenge of keeping plants alive.
Try displaying plates and pitchers in glass cabinets to keep the garden inspiration visible year-round.
Even with a simple table setting, this kitchen table resembles a garden party with cabbage china by Bordallo Pinheiro.
Shop for nature- and floral-themed china on Houzz
3. Buy Cut Flowers or Force Bulbs
Cut flowers can add foliage and colorful blooms to your kitchen, even in the depths of winter.
When purchasing flowers, look for bouquets with green foliage as well as bright flowers. Forcing bulbs is another way to get long-lasting color and foliage in your kitchen.
Treat Yourself to Spring Blooms in Winter
Cut flowers can add foliage and colorful blooms to your kitchen, even in the depths of winter.
When purchasing flowers, look for bouquets with green foliage as well as bright flowers. Forcing bulbs is another way to get long-lasting color and foliage in your kitchen.
Treat Yourself to Spring Blooms in Winter
Or purchase a few large leaves to create a foliage bouquet. Regularly buying cut flowers can get expensive, but consider splurging for holidays, special occasions or stressful weeks where you can use a pick-me-up. Inexpensive blooms can be found at farmers markets and grocery stores.
4. Use Grasscloth on Walls and Window Shades
Grasscloth is a beautiful and natural material often used as wallpaper and window coverings, and it can bring texture that feels warm and organic.
Grasscloth window shades filter light similarly to tree foliage overhead. Here, blue grasscloth wallpaper evokes water with its subtle varied colors.
Browse grasscloth wallpaper in the Houzz Shop
Grasscloth is a beautiful and natural material often used as wallpaper and window coverings, and it can bring texture that feels warm and organic.
Grasscloth window shades filter light similarly to tree foliage overhead. Here, blue grasscloth wallpaper evokes water with its subtle varied colors.
Browse grasscloth wallpaper in the Houzz Shop
5. Add a Skylight to Let in the Sun
Skylights brighten your space, and the infusion of sunlight in winter can warm your kitchen and lift your mood. If you’re in a very sunny spot, consider an automated shade. This kitchen has a beautiful view of trees and sky, giving the kitchen an easy garden theme.
How to Add a Skylight or Light Tube
Skylights brighten your space, and the infusion of sunlight in winter can warm your kitchen and lift your mood. If you’re in a very sunny spot, consider an automated shade. This kitchen has a beautiful view of trees and sky, giving the kitchen an easy garden theme.
How to Add a Skylight or Light Tube
6. Bring in Live-Edge Wood
A “live” edge means keeping the natural shape of the tree on one or both edges of a wood slab. This creates a naturalistic look that contrasts well with foliage and light.
Some woods, like cherry and walnut, have beautiful grains that reflect light. Live-edge woods make great shelves, counters and tables. In this modern kitchen, the live-edge counter has the look of a fallen tree.
A “live” edge means keeping the natural shape of the tree on one or both edges of a wood slab. This creates a naturalistic look that contrasts well with foliage and light.
Some woods, like cherry and walnut, have beautiful grains that reflect light. Live-edge woods make great shelves, counters and tables. In this modern kitchen, the live-edge counter has the look of a fallen tree.
Live-edge wood can also work in traditional kitchens. This kitchen uses a live-edge bar to provide a warm, organic contrast with the clean white cabinetry.
7. Design Your Kitchen Around a Carved-Stone Sink
If you are planning a remodel, consider a carved-stone sink. Stone is rock and thus a natural element for your kitchen. Carved-stone sinks feel utilitarian, like something you would find in a potting shed.
The beautiful patina of this soapstone sink adds the element of age. The bright, cheerful yellow cabinets contrast with the natural stone, much like a flower against a stone wall.
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If you are planning a remodel, consider a carved-stone sink. Stone is rock and thus a natural element for your kitchen. Carved-stone sinks feel utilitarian, like something you would find in a potting shed.
The beautiful patina of this soapstone sink adds the element of age. The bright, cheerful yellow cabinets contrast with the natural stone, much like a flower against a stone wall.
More on Houzz
Read other stories about kitchen design
Find a kitchen designer
Shop for kitchen products