Home Picks: Mother Nature by Design

As our lives accelerate to keep up with modern technology, we are pushed further from nature  than ever before. Yet, its omnipresent magic can’t be ignored. When we allow ourselves to reconnect with nature—whether by pausing to listen to a bird call or stepping outside to bask in the sunshine—we instantly feel our nerves soothed and our spirits renewed.  

In recent years, biophilic designs have seen a surge in popularity—a sign of humanity’s innate pull toward the natural world. This yearning manifests in almost every aspect of our lives: We may find ourselves beekeeping, gardening, enjoying the healing effects of nature, or learning about the benefits of eating organic. Some who are courageous have quit their jobs to take up homesteading. 

If you’re seeking change but are feeling a bit less daring, simply adding some nature-inspired elements to your home can make a world of difference.

Try Nature-Inspired Patterns 

Add life to your home with floral and leafy designs. You can incorporate these patterns anywhere, but a good place to start would be on your wallpaper, tablecloth, and throw pillows. If you fancy a bit more pizazz, try patterns of insects, birds, or rainforests. 

Use Natural Materials 

This year, get inspired by furniture and accessories made from natural materials such as wood, stone, cotton, wool, bamboo, cork, or rattan. You can never go wrong with what’s biodegradable and sustainable. 

Display Nature-Themed Artwork

Your choices for nature-inspired décor are endless. For a touch of the wild, browse local shops for botanical illustrations, landscape paintings, wood carvings, insect specimens, and the like.

Embrace Earthy Tones and Lines

Forego the dull gray scale and try color schemes reminiscent of your favorite outdoor scene. Add a relaxing vibe to your home by retiring the stiff, straight-lined furniture and opting for something free-flowing and curvy. 

If you’re not the best at matching colors, you can try brainstorming a location first; then select a color palette that’s most representative of that scene. For example, imagine the vines and foliage that intertwined to create the stunning Amazon rainforest. From there, you can select various shades of green to represent the leaves, a few warm browns for the trunks, a touch of yellow for sunlight, and a rich red or purple for the berries that adorn trees. 

Let the Outdoors In

Make the most of your windows and balconies—a picturesque view is worth a thousand décor items. Simply open the curtains and let natural light in. If that’s not an option, a vase of fresh-cut flowers or some green potted plants can also do the trick. You can create an indoor vertical garden on one wall.