After a long winter cooped up indoors, most people are ready to embrace the fresh energy of spring by the time the ground starts to thaw. As the days get longer, the weather gets warmer, and the season of growth begins, you probably want to spend as much time as possible outside to enjoy it all.
Unfortunately, life’s responsibilities don’t always allow us to relax and refresh ourselves in nature as often as we’d like. The good news is, there are plenty of creative ways to bring the rejuvenating effects of the outdoors inside your home to relish in all the time. Let’s take a look at a few tricks to get you started!
Decorate with plants.
One of the easiest and most obvious approaches to bringing nature into your space is a literal one. Fresh greenery and flowers add instant life to your interior and literally make your indoor air more refreshing. There are plenty of great plant décor options available these days—potted plants, hanging planters, wall plants, miniature trees, etc. Even something as simple as a vase of colorful flowers or a bowl of fruit centerpiece can infuse a natural energy into a room.
Use natural materials.
Design features, furniture, and décor made from natural materials will introduce life-like textures and a distinct outdoor comfort into your home. You can choose to use natural materials for larger interior elements, such as stone countertops, hardwood flooring, and rattan furniture. Or, you can achieve the same effect with natural accessories like bamboo blinds, silk throw pillows, a jute area rug, and wooden floor lamps.
Maximize natural light.
Natural light makes a space feel bigger, brighter, and more open, which are all characteristics of the great outdoors. By bringing as much sunlight into your home as possible, you will create an inviting and cheerful outdoor ambiance. If your home is not blessed with large windows and skylights, there are other tricks you can use to boost natural light in your home. A light color palette, reflective surfaces, and light, airy window treatments can all help bounce the light you do get around the room for an illuminating effect.
Incorporate organic elements into your décor.
Another easy way to make your home feel like an outdoor oasis is to surround yourself with elements of nature. For example, accessories like seashell wall hooks, jars of beach sand, rock candle holders, and decorative crystals can serve as a straightforward, yet unique, link to the outdoors. If you prefer to make your natural elements more understated, try using them in fabric patterns (rugs, throw pillows/blankets, furniture covers), wallpaper, and artwork.
Appeal to the senses with subtle natural cues.
If you want to cultivate a space that immerses you in nature in a more subtle, but equally as effective, way, target senses other than the visual. Think of creative ways to integrate the outdoors in your home that engage you with smell, sound, and texture. Wind chimes or a nature sound machine, for example, can make you feel like you’re outside, breathing in fresh air. Natural-scented candles, essential oils, and potpourri will also have a similarly relaxing and earthy effect.
Sometimes, it’s difficult to see new possibilities in a space you’ve been in for so long. When you enlist an experienced interior design professional from Sherwood Studios to help, they’ll work with you to identify opportunities to refresh your design, come up with solutions that align with your style, and implement them seamlessly. We also happen to have an extensive inventory of contemporary furniture and home accessories for you to choose from to take your space to the next level.
Give us a call at 248-855-1600 or reach out online today to schedule a design consultation!
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