BRING THE OUTDOORS IN
Get trendy, organic look in your home with nature-inspired objects.
The outdoors has a natural appeal to humans. The sky, earth, water, and other outdoor elements make us feel refreshed, calm, and one with the earth. How do we get these elements from the outdoors, into our indoors? The obvious way is by bringing plants into our living space. Here are some other simple ways to bring the outdoors in.
Bring in natural fibres, textures and patterns
Wicker, rattan, hemp, and jute are all materials that are inspired by nature. Choose these materials in your furniture for a comfortable oasis to relax. In decor – baskets, rugs, and even lampshades will bring the outdoors to your relaxing space. Bedding, towels, cleaning products, and even paint, all come in eco-friendly varieties. For the more adventurous, you can use natural flooring instead of man-made flooring. Wood, cork, stone and bamboo are all flooring materials that feel warm, natural and inviting under the foot. They are aesthetic, practical, eco-friendly and easy to clean. By bringing these flooring choices into your home, your body will appeal to the organic elements of natural flooring, instead of cold man-made materials.
Use elements found in nature in your décor
Rocks, sea shells, jars of beach sand, wood, and straw are just few of the elements which you can incorporate into your everyday living, to bring the outdoors in. While natural objects on display certainly exemplify au naturel décor, there is something to be said for the motif. If branches and shells aren’t your thing, but you want to bring a little nature to your décor, opt for 2-D representations of flora and fauna on fabrics, artwork, and pillows. An abstract interpretation on silk watercolour pillows brings a layer of sophistication too. You can also add photographs and murals of these elements if you don’t have the real thing on hand.
Use colours inspired by the outdoors
Green reminds us of the earth, grass and plants. Blues are refreshing like water and the sky. Yellow evokes a sense of freshness, like the sun and fresh flowers. Neutral tones such as whites, ivory, tans and beige’s make your interiors feel natural, and clean. Use these colours on your walls, window coverings, bedding and décor. You can bring a little zing to a display of shells, coral, and starfish with a colourful backdrop in your living room. Paint the back of a cabinet an eye-catching hue to make white objects pop.
Entice your senses with outdoor cues
Woodsy incense, and floral potpourri scents are always a treat. Sounds of rain, wind, and the beach are used in luxury spas to make the body feel relaxed and in tune with nature. This same feeling can be brought into your home. The latest interior décor trend is to decorate with food. Use lemons, limes, and mint for a visual and aromatic outdoor inspiration.
Let in natural light
Natural light is absolutely free and it makes humans feel wonderful! Replace heavy drapery with lighter fabrics or sheers. Let natural light into your home daily, and see how the outdoors pours into your space. Open your windows and breathe in fresh air. Fresh air is essential to feel alive and at peace. Bring the outdoors inside by installing screens in your windows, and turning the air conditioning off occasionally and letting in fresh air.
