Working towards having your dream home isn't an easy task. From the financial aspect to finding the designs that align with your personal tastes and preferences. One of the most highly coveted home designs or decorations is one that is inspired by nature. A nature-inspired home decor creates an atmosphere that is both soothing and visually appealing. This is one of the several reasons it is highly desired. This article is written to serve as a comprehensive guide about Nature-Inspired Home Decor, and how to blend them into your specific home designs to give you the perfect feel and ambience that you desire.
What is Nature-Inspired Home Decor?
Nature-Inspired Home Decor is a home design or decoration style that incorporates outdoor elements into indoor spaces. This design style is popular among homeowners and interior design experts because of the calm, refreshing, and balanced atmosphere it creates in the indoor space. Some key elements of Nature-Inspired Home Decor include natural materials, indoor plants, earthy colours, organic shapes & textures.
Breakdown of the key elements of Nature-Inspired Designs
Natural Materials
• Wood (solid or reclaimed)
• Clay & Terracotta
• Jute, Linen, and Cotton
• Stone (granite, marble, slate)
• Rattan & Wicker
Nature-Inspired Patterns
• Water Rippled Texture
• Moderate animal or insect patterns
• Botanical prints
• Leaf or tree motifs
Earthy Colour Palette
• Stone Greys
• Sky Blue
• Forest Green
• Warm Browns
• Soft Whites
• Sandy Beiges
Indoor Plants
• Monstera
• Snake plant
• Fiddle
• Peace Lily
• Leaf fig
Organic Shapes and Textures
• Natural cracks or knots in wood
• Asymmetrical lines and curves
• Wooden beams, rough stone walls, and woven rugs
Reasons to Consider Nature-Inspired Decor
Reduced stress and boosts mood: Nature-inspired home decor helps to reduce stress and boost mood by enhancing sensory well-being, e.g. touch, smell, sight, sound, etc. It also helps to control the circadian rhythm through light.
Boosts creativity and productivity: When your home decor is inspired by nature, you get really creative as you will be comparing several natural design ideas to find which ones will produce the outcome that you want. Also, nature-inspired home decor is linked to stress reduction, and when this happens, it leads to increased productivity.
Promotes sustainability and mindfulness: Nature-inspired home decor involves the use of eco-friendly materials like renewable, recycled, and biodegradable materials such as organic fabric, bamboo, cork, reclaimed wood, and rattan. This helps to reduce over-reliance on artificial materials that are considered harmful to the environment.
Improves the quality of air: Grooming indoor plants is one of the ways people implement nature-inspired ideas. Many of these indoor plants – snake plants, spider plants, peace lilies – are natural air purifiers. They help to remove airborne toxins like carbon monoxide and benzene that can reduce air quality. Indoor plants are also known to reduce dry indoor air through a process called transpiration, helping to prevent health issues like sore throats, coughs, eye irritation, etc.
How to Get Started with Nature-Inspired Home Decor
Define your Theme
Nature-Inspired decors come in a variety of flavours and styles. It is up to you to choose the one that is best for you, based on your preference and taste. Some Nature-Inspired styles you can choose from include:
• Coastal Nautical: This unique style is inspired by sand texture, sea tones, and driftwood
• Tropical Jungle: This includes lush greenery, bamboo, or vibrant florals
• Woodland/Rustic: You can create rustic appeal indoors with stone textures, earthy tones, and reclaimed woods
• Minimal & Zen: Create a minimal & Zen theme with nature-inspired styles like Japanese Wabi-sabi that has natural accents
• Botanical & Biophilic: Create a botanical or biophilic theme with vines, vertical gardens, and lots of houseplants
Use Natural Colour Palette
Start your colour palette with colours that have earthy tones. These colour types are connected to nature and create a peaceful ambience. Some of these colours include:
• Base colours: Beige, Stone Grey, White, Taupe
• Accent colours: Sandy Yellow, Terracotta, Forest Green, Moss, and Sky Blue
Include Natural Materials
Use eco-friendly materials like stone, wood, and fabrics in your designs. Examples of some natural materials you can use include:
• Wood: Driftwood, Rattan, Reclaimed wood, and Bamboo
• Stone: Slate, River rocks, and Marble
• Clay & Ceramics: Use these for tableware and accessories
• Fabric: Jute, Cotton, Hemp, Wool, Linen
Make use of Greenery
A home decor that is inspired by nature cannot be complete without plants.
Ideally, all indoor plants can be used as home decor, but it is recommended to use low-maintenance plants like the snake plant.
You should also use structural plants like palm, monstera, and fiddle leaf fig.
Maximise Natural Light
• Use sheer curtains to allow sunlight into your space
• You can also avoid using curtains at all
• Install mirrors wherever necessary to reflect natural light
• Make use of light-coloured furniture and walls
Use Nature-Inspired Decor Pieces
• Incorporate art like landscape paintings, pressed flowers, and botanical prints
• Use accessories like bowls, shells, stones, and pinecones for aesthetic appeal
• Make use of textures like rattan furniture, woven baskets, or macramé to add visual interest and depth
Create Nature Zone
• Use plants with natural light to create a reading space
• Create a nature wall using moss walls, wood panels, and plant shelves
• Create outdoor extensions with balconies that are green and cosy
Embrace Sustainability
• Make use of local or handmade materials
• Stay away from synthetic or artificial fabrics
• Make use of plants that are non-toxic
• Upcycle old furniture
Incorporate Scent and Sound into Your Designs
• Use natural scents like eucalyptus, lavender, or cedar
• Use ambient sounds like water fountains and birdsong playlists to create an outdoor connection
Some Nature-Inspired Ideas to Try Out
Living Room
• Earth tone palettes with leafy plants
• Stone fireplace or reclaimed wood wall
• Wooden coffee table + rattan basket
Kitchen
• Wooden cutting boards & ceramic dishes
• Herb gardens on the windowsill
• Open shelving with natural materials
Bathroom
• Accessories made from bamboo
• Humidity-loving plants like orchid
• Pebble tile flooring
Bedroom
• Combine soft lighting with nature-inspired lamps
• Botanical prints above the bed
• Use linen bedding – it could be muted green or neutral
Final Thoughts
By deciding to use Nature-Inspired Home Decor in your house, you're not just making any decision. You are making a decision that goes beyond just aesthetics. You're also bringing in a sense of comfort, warmth, and timelessness into your home.