There are a lot of advantages to living in the modern world, but there are some downsides, too. For one thing, while it’s nice to enjoy all the convenience that urban areas afford us, it does tend to mean that many of us are more cut off from the natural world than we’d like to be. Or need to be. Studies have shown that nature can have a hugely positive impact on our mental well-being, lowering anxiety and depression.
As such, it’s recommended to get as much nature as you can in your life. While those hikes in the great outdoors will do you good, it’d be even better to bring nature into your home. It’s easier than you might think! In this article, we’ll look at some tried and tested tips for infusing your home with nature. Take our tips onboard, and you’ll have touches of nature in your life each and every day.
Increase Light Exposure
It won’t feel like your home is infused with nature if it’s just a dark, internal world. The key to increasing your home’s connection with the great outdoors is to let in as much natural light as possible — it’s much easier to feel the power of nature when you have sunshine pouring into your house. Regardless of where you live, you’ll be able to let more sunlight in. You can’t always control the weather, but you can ensure that sunshine enters your house on those sunny days! Expansive windows and removing any bulky furniture that could block sunlight are two tried and tested methods for increasing sunlight in your home.
Add Wooden Surfaces
Anything that can be found outdoors that you can use in your home should be welcome. One of the best, not to mention stylish ways to infuse your home with nature is to look at adding wooden surfaces to your property. This could be in the form of countertops, flooring, or wall panels. You can also look at wooden furniture — especially reclaimed wood furniture, which has more of a “natural” look.
Natural wood can be expensive to add to a home, but there are ways to add it cheaper if you’re on a budget. For example, you’ll find real-wood furniture listed on second-hand websites.
Look At Rustic Designs
If you’re planning on building your home, then you’ll be in an even stronger position to get a home infused with nature. There are barn style home plans that’ll give you a home that very much looks like it belongs in nature, even if you’re not planning on building it deep in the woods. As well as having the “rural look,” you’ll also find that these types of designs allow for plenty of sunshine to pour into your home, with no modifications required. It’s always easy to get what you want if you build from the ground up, even if the actual process is more difficult.
Think Of The Home’s Eco-Credentials
If you’re looking for ways to add more nature to your home, then you’ll likely have a reasonable appreciation for the natural world. And as such, it’s important to do your bit to protect the natural world. We all have to do all we can to limit the effects of climate change, and one of the best ways to do this is to make your home as environmentally friendly as possible. There are plenty of ways to do this without compromising your quality of life. For example, think about your energy source — could you add solar panels to your property? That’ll provide an abundance of free energy. Plus, while there are costs associated with installing solar panels, the investment is worth it, since it can add value to your property.
Stone Flooring
Looking to add nature to your house in a clean, stylish, and classy way? Then take a look at stone flooring. This can really take your home’s decor to the next level — everyone notices when they walk into a home that has stone flooring. It’s more expensive than other options, sure, but it’s worth the investment if you can afford it. Just be aware that stone flooring is more vulnerable to damage than other floor types, so you’ll need to learn how to properly maintain and clean the flooring. But if you’re looking to add nature to your house, then this is one of the more attractive options available to you.
Plants Galore
Adding plants to your property is one of the easiest ways to add an extra level of nature to your property. There’s nothing like a good plant to have a big impact on the overall energy and ambiance of a room. If you’re new to plants, then start small and easy — a couple of plants that are easy to care for is the correct way to start. Once you’ve got the hang of keeping those guys alive, you can begin looking at adding more complex plants to your house. It can be pretty addictive, so don’t be surprised if you end up with dozens of plants in your house before too long.
Scents Of Nature
One of the joys of spending time in the great outdoors is all those beautiful, fresh scents as you walk. So why not look at bringing some of those scents into your house? There are plenty of candles, diffusers, and sprays that can give your home the smell of the outdoor world. Some popular nature scents include pine, lavender, freshly cut grass, and lilac. This is actually one of the more effective ways to feel better connected to nature — it’s so easy to add these scents, and they’ll make a bigger difference than you might think.
Set Up A Vegetable Patch
Nature isn’t just for admiring. It’s for working. One way to bring nature into your daily life is to set up a vegetable patch. It’s much easier than you might think to get one started, even if you don’t have much experience — or indeed, any experience. It’s best to start with easy-to-grow crops (basically, the things that you can’t get wrong, such as potatoes and carrots) before expanding your garden to include more variety. This isn’t just a fun way to spend time at home; it’ll also give you vegetables that are much more delicious than what you’d find in the store, and there’s a lot of satisfaction that can come from eating a meal made with your very own home-grown ingredients.
Start Gardening
And while you’re developing your green thumb in your vegetable garden, why not look at expanding into the rest of your yard? Anyone who has an eye on incorporating more nature into their home has to have a well-put-together yard. There are a few options for ensuring that your yard is as natural as possible. One of the more popular recent trends is to infuse a touch of wildness into the yard. By this, we mean keeping the plants limited to ones that you’ll find in your local area, and just more broadly looking to limit the “manicured” feel.
Attract Wildlife
You can do your bit for the environment by attracting wildlife to your yard, too. Wildlife needs all the help it can get these days, so consider planting flowers that attract butterflies and other insects. You may also set up a bird station that includes food and water. If you add a water feature, you’ll also find that plenty of birds, frogs, and other wildlife pass through your yard too. It’s nice to interact with nature wherever you are, but it’s especially pleasant when you’re doing so as you drink a coffee on your own property.
Create A Nature Retreat
Another option is to create a nature retreat deep in your yard. Now, it’s true that you can only do this if you have a large yard, one that allows you to create a space deep within, to the point where you can’t see your house. The best way to do this is to add plenty of tall shrubbery in a circle. The inside, the hollow bit, can be where you put your sanctuary, which could include lighting, comfortable seating, and anything else you need to really retreat into nature.
Natural Linens
We all need to have bedsheets, pillows and throws in our house. So why not consider buying ones made of linen and luxury cotton? They’ll bring a real touch of nature into your property. They’re a little more expensive but they’re worth it — not only do they last longer than cheaper options, but they’re also much softer and more comfortable.
Art On the Walls
Finally, take a look at adding some nature-inspired artwork to your walls. You’ll have to be careful with this since it’s very easy to get nature artwork that looks tacky. Your best option is to go for classic nature photos and put them in a nice frame. They’ll be pleasant little reminders of the great outdoors even when you can’t get outside to enjoy it for yourself first-hand.
