Nature is a gift. There are countless benefits to spending time in the great outdoors, from stress reduction to more energy. Nature can boost your mood, improve your focus, and make you feel more creative. In many ways, it’s the ultimate Natural physician when it comes to your mental and physical well-being.
The good news is you can bring the benefits of nature indoors. By infusing your home with the soothing essence of nature, you can enhance the aesthetics of your living space while contributing to your wellness.
Bringing nature into your home is easier than you might think. There are plenty of small ways to incorporate natural elements into your style so you can start reaping the rewards right away.
Increasing Natural Light
One of the quickest and easiest ways to improve the natural feel of your home is to increase the amount of natural light you let in. Exposure to natural light can help with:
- Vitamin D production
- Improved circadian rhythms and better sleep
- Concentration and focus
- Mood and happiness
You can start small by opening a few windows in areas of the house that tend to get a lot of sunlight throughout the day. But, there are plenty of other ways to increase natural light and give your home a brighter look from the outside in.
Speaking of the outside, consider painting the eaves of your home white. They will reflect the natural light from the sun and send it directly into your home. Inside, opt for brighter wall and ceiling paints that reflect light back into each room.
Your goal should be to make things as reflective as possible. You can do that with high-gloss paint, mirrors, kitchen tiles, or glass blocks. If you’re up for a renovation project, install skylights in your ceiling to increase the flow of natural light all day.
Boosting your exposure to natural light in the home can provide a sense of tranquility and calmness every day. You’ll feel more in touch with nature and everything it provides, even when you’re inside.
Eco-Friendly Decor
Ready for a change in your interior design? Consider how you can change the look of your home with eco-friendly decor. Of course, that could include things like bringing in more indoor plants, but we’ll talk about that later. For starters, focus on sustainability in your decorating, and you’ll improve your connection with the world around you.
Sustainability is more than just a trend or fad, making it easier than ever to find decorative items that are good for the planet and a perfect fit for your living space. Go thrifting or buy pre-loved items that fit your aesthetic. Use low-VOC paint to avoid harming the environment. Consider a windowsill garden with herbs and small flowers you can use in your kitchen.
These small touches will go a long way in bringing the outside in and making your home feel more natural. If you have any renovations or construction to do, research which materials are right for the job that can also benefit the planet. Bamboo is becoming increasingly popular in the construction world thanks to its strength and durability, but also because it’s a sustainable type of wood that grows in abundance.
Becoming a Plant Parent
Bringing plants into your home is an easy way to spruce up your decor with nature while enjoying the benefits they have to offer. Houseplants can improve your mood, help you feel more relaxed, and even reduce stress and improve creativity. If you have a home office, bringing a few plants into the space can even help with productivity and focus.
Additionally, plants can improve the air quality of your home. If you or someone you live with deals with asthma or other respiratory conditions, plants can make a big difference. Some of the best houseplants that can boost the air quality of your home include:
- English Ivy
- Bamboo Palm
- Chinese Evergreen
- Madagascar Dragon Tree
- Snake Plant
While it’s easy to find a variety of houseplants at a store or nursery nowadays, you can also look for native plants in your own backyard or neighborhood. Transplanting native plants is one of the best ways to salvage them, giving them new life by bringing them into your home. However, make sure you do your research on which native plants are appropriate to harvest and transplant. You don’t want to dig up any plants that could actually be harmful to the environment – or your health! Some poisonous plants like poison ivy, poison oak, and nightshade might look pretty, but they can cause harmful reactions that could result in a trip to urgent care!
It doesn’t take a lot of time or effort to bring nature into your home. If you’re ready to improve your well-being the natural way, consider some of these ideas and change the aesthetic of your space today.
Sam Bowman authored this post
The post The Art of Bringing Nature Into Your Home appeared first on The Design Tourist.
