We may spend most of our lives indoors, but a connection to nature is still essential for our wellbeing. 

Incorporating nature into interior design is not a passing trend, but a growing movement, one which seeks to improve our mental health, make interior design more sustainable, and embrace the beauty of the world around us. 

It is thought that surrounding oneself with nature – even when indoors – boosts happiness, lowers stress, and improves cognitive function. So, to transform your home into a healing, tranquil oasis, follow this guide and invite the natural world indoors.

Make the most of natural light

Natural light boosts our mood, lowers our blood pressure, and even helps to overcome insomnia. Not only that, but it is every interior designer’s most important tool.

Sunlight maximises space, making even the smallest box bedroom feel airy, so do whatever you can to make the most of it. Move furniture and other obstacles away from windows; replace heavy curtains and blinds with lighter, or even sheer alternatives; use mirrors and reflective surfaces to double the brightness at a stroke.

Maximising the amount of sunlight in your home can also help to make it more sustainable and save you money on your light and heating bills.

Natural materials

One of the main benefits of nature-inspired design is its sustainability. You can do your bit for the planet by filling your home with natural, sustainable, and repurposed materials.

Furniture, walls, floors, and décor made from cork, sustainable timber, bamboo, stone, jute, recycled metal, and any number of other natural materials will make your home greener, as well as more visually stimulating.

The colours of nature

Nature is full of vibrant, soft, and dramatic colour, colours which changes with each passing season.

Draw inspiration for your colour palette from the natural world. If you want some vibrant energy in your kitchen, consider painting a feature wall in the bright yellow of a sunflower or the red of winter holly. In the bedroom, opt for the serene blue tones of the ocean to help you drift off at night, or perhaps the pale green of a woodland clearing.

Even if you favour more neutral colours, you can still let nature inspire you. Earthy tones are soothing and timeless, and the perfect complement to furniture made from natural materials.

Plant life

Adding some greenery to your home is perhaps the simplest way to bring nature indoors.

Houseplants help to oxygenate the room, lifting your mood and improving your focus. They also bring colour and life to an otherwise stale interior.

There are hundreds of different plants to choose from, depending on your taste, your budget, and the greenness of your finger. A minimalist space can be completed with a simple cactus or air plant, while any maximalist can fill their tables, windowsills, and bookcases with ferns, trailing ivy, and gorgeous flowers.

Textures and patterns

Nature is never flat; it is made of hundreds of different textures and patterns working in perfect harmony to create something larger and beautiful.

Your home can be the same. Use different natural textures and patterns throughout your home to really bring it to life. Sofas and chairs that curve like stones; carpets with patterns like ocean waves or mountains; furniture upholstered in jute.

Artwork is another way to make your home feel more natural. A botanical or animal print picture brings a touch of wildness to any room, or you can opt instead for stone sculptures, or even a living plant wall.

Nothing is more beautiful than the natural world, and by letting the outside in, you can create a home that is good for the planet and good for your health.

If you’re looking for your dream North East home, you’re in the right place. Explore the stunning developments from Homes by Esh right here on our website, and book your appointment with us here.