How to Connect Your Interiors With Nature
Benefit from the calming, restorative properties of the outdoors by bringing natural elements into your home
Amanda Pollard
23 September 2019
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
Biophilic design and the principles of neuroarchitecture recognise our innate need to connect with nature, and acknowledge that bringing elements of the outdoors into our homes benefits our health and wellbeing. Take inspiration from these interior schemes, where designers have incorporated aspects of the natural world in interesting ways.
Provide a view
When you’re renovating your home, consider ways to maximise the amount of glazing you incorporate to provide natural sunlight and a view of the outdoors.
Here, an extension has created a small courtyard between the original building and the new addition. The designers at Mimodo Architects have made the most of this extra outdoor area by installing a picture window in the home-office space.
It means the floor-to-ceiling storage is broken up by a large rectangle of glazing. The deep frame of natural timber helps differentiate the outside view from the inside.
When you’re renovating your home, consider ways to maximise the amount of glazing you incorporate to provide natural sunlight and a view of the outdoors.
Here, an extension has created a small courtyard between the original building and the new addition. The designers at Mimodo Architects have made the most of this extra outdoor area by installing a picture window in the home-office space.
It means the floor-to-ceiling storage is broken up by a large rectangle of glazing. The deep frame of natural timber helps differentiate the outside view from the inside.
Weave in greenery
Not only do indoor plants look beautiful, they can help to purify the air, so if you’re looking to bring nature into your home, they’re an obvious choice. You could simply put a few potted plants on windowsills and shelves, or see if you can find more interesting ways to display your indoor plants.
In this room, for example, the designers at deVOL Kitchens have installed a rope system along the length of a beam from which to hang macramé planters. It’s a smart idea that creates an attractive display above the island.
Find an interior designer or decorator near you on Houzz to welcome nature into your home
Not only do indoor plants look beautiful, they can help to purify the air, so if you’re looking to bring nature into your home, they’re an obvious choice. You could simply put a few potted plants on windowsills and shelves, or see if you can find more interesting ways to display your indoor plants.
In this room, for example, the designers at deVOL Kitchens have installed a rope system along the length of a beam from which to hang macramé planters. It’s a smart idea that creates an attractive display above the island.
Find an interior designer or decorator near you on Houzz to welcome nature into your home
Go up the wall
When you’re decorating a room, think about including a wall made from a natural material, such as timber. It will provide an organic visual element from the outdoors to gaze at.
Here, the designers at JLB Property Developments have continued the engineered-timber floorboards up the wall to create an interesting variation on classic timber panelling. This study is quite a small space, but the owner benefits from a view of the garden on one side, and the beautiful grain of the timber on the other.
When you’re decorating a room, think about including a wall made from a natural material, such as timber. It will provide an organic visual element from the outdoors to gaze at.
Here, the designers at JLB Property Developments have continued the engineered-timber floorboards up the wall to create an interesting variation on classic timber panelling. This study is quite a small space, but the owner benefits from a view of the garden on one side, and the beautiful grain of the timber on the other.
Mix materials
If you’re keen to use natural surfaces in your home but prefer sleek, modern materials, it’s possible to combine both.
The overall scheme in this home features a monochrome palette with plenty of contemporary, polished finishes. However, the designers at Indie & Co have sprinkled in a mix of organic materials to subtly create a natural feel.
Well-crafted, practical timber joinery is complemented by a canvas lampshade, woven rug and wooden dining furniture – and the layout of these items is cleverly balanced throughout the space.
If you’re keen to use natural surfaces in your home but prefer sleek, modern materials, it’s possible to combine both.
The overall scheme in this home features a monochrome palette with plenty of contemporary, polished finishes. However, the designers at Indie & Co have sprinkled in a mix of organic materials to subtly create a natural feel.
Well-crafted, practical timber joinery is complemented by a canvas lampshade, woven rug and wooden dining furniture – and the layout of these items is cleverly balanced throughout the space.
Fragrance naturally
As well as visual elements, it’s a good idea to fill your home with natural aromas. Use plants around the space to bring in subtle scents of the outdoors.
Herbs are ideal in the kitchen, as they double up as both food and fragrance. For a creative way to grow your herbs, consider a built-in planter in your kitchen benchtop, as the designers at Blakes London have done here. A narrow trough has been carved into the marble to provide easy access to fresh herbs.
As well as visual elements, it’s a good idea to fill your home with natural aromas. Use plants around the space to bring in subtle scents of the outdoors.
Herbs are ideal in the kitchen, as they double up as both food and fragrance. For a creative way to grow your herbs, consider a built-in planter in your kitchen benchtop, as the designers at Blakes London have done here. A narrow trough has been carved into the marble to provide easy access to fresh herbs.
Invent a view
A connection with nature can also be provided by artwork in the form of landscape paintings or photographs. Alternatively, use wall paper or printed murals to create even more of a visual impact.
In this child’s room, designer Yoko Kloeden has covered a wall with a forest scene. The trees are large enough to give an immersive feeling of being within nature, but the muted colours prevent the huge image from overwhelming the space.
Your turn
How have you introduced nature in your interior? Share your ideas in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images, and join the conversation.
Read more:
5 Plants Best Suited for Indian Homes
10 Ways to Achieve the Indoor-Outdoor Connection
Tell us:
Tell us your tips of connecting your home with nature.
A connection with nature can also be provided by artwork in the form of landscape paintings or photographs. Alternatively, use wall paper or printed murals to create even more of a visual impact.
In this child’s room, designer Yoko Kloeden has covered a wall with a forest scene. The trees are large enough to give an immersive feeling of being within nature, but the muted colours prevent the huge image from overwhelming the space.
Your turn
How have you introduced nature in your interior? Share your ideas in the Comments below, like this story, save your favourite images, and join the conversation.
Read more:
5 Plants Best Suited for Indian Homes
10 Ways to Achieve the Indoor-Outdoor Connection
Tell us:
Tell us your tips of connecting your home with nature.
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Accent with solid wood slices and driftwood handle on the pottery bring the rustic out doors inside!
@orly eran - such a clever idea re the pots hanging on the hooks. I have a small bathroom and can't fit any plants in, but having seen your hook idea, I will try to copy it. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best ideas. Thank you.
A matter of technical clarity to add here in terms of securing advice on development projects.
Professional design services relating to the natural and built environment are covered under two separate but inter related disciplines:
Chartered Architects provide professional advice on the built environment, specifically the planning and design of buildings and hard spaces. Architecture is an accredited profession to the RIBA; and
Chartered Landscape Architects provide professional advice on the natural environment, specifically the planning, design and management of the land between/around buildings. Landscape architecture is an accredited profession to the LI.
Both professions usually require a relevant degree, which means completing a three year undergraduate course plus a post-graduate diploma followed by the pre eminent standards of chartership to practice.