5 Simple Ways to Bring Nature Into Your Home

Most of us spend a lot more time indoors than we probably realize. Between work, errands, computers, phones, and everything else competing for our attention, it can be easy to feel disconnected from nature.

Think about the places where you feel most relaxed. Maybe it’s walking through the woods, sitting near the ocean, watching the stars, or spending a weekend at a cabin. There is something about being surrounded by nature that makes it easier to slow down.

Obviously, most of us can’t move to a cabin in the mountains every time life gets stressful. I wish. But we can bring some of that feeling into our homes.

That’s one of the ideas behind biophilic design.

What Is Biophilic Design?

Biophilic design is simply an approach to creating spaces that help us feel more connected to nature. The term comes from “biophilia,” which refers to our natural tendency to seek connections with living things and the natural world.

You don’t need to completely redesign your house to incorporate it, either. Some common ways to bring nature into a room include natural materials such as wood and stone, houseplants, natural light, views of the outdoors, colors and textures found in nature, and artwork inspired by landscapes, wildlife, water, or other natural subjects.

For me, that’s where things get interesting.

1. Use Nature-Inspired Artwork

I may be slightly biased here. I am an artist, after all.

Artwork is one of the easiest ways to change how a room feels without changing the room itself. A landscape can give you a visual escape, particularly if it reminds you of somewhere you’ve visited or somewhere you’d love to go.

Much of my own work is inspired by forests, mountains, wildlife, water and dramatic skies. I’m especially drawn to northern lights because nature occasionally likes to show off.

I don’t think artwork needs to match the couch or follow whatever decorating trend happens to be popular that year. I would rather have something on my wall that makes me stop and look at it.

2. Bring in Plants

Houseplants are probably the most literal way to bring nature indoors.

You don’t need to turn your living room into a greenhouse. One or two plants can add life to a room and soften spaces that otherwise feel a little too sterile.

And if you’re someone who kills every plant you touch, there is no shame in choosing something extremely difficult to murder. We all have our strengths.

3. Use Natural Materials

Wood, stone, woven fibers and other natural materials can add warmth and texture without making a room feel overly decorated.

You may already have some of these elements in your home. Wooden furniture, baskets, stoneware, pottery and natural fabrics all count.

This is also one reason nature-inspired artwork works particularly well in cabins and rustic homes. It feels like part of the environment instead of something added simply to fill an empty wall.

4. Take Advantage of Natural Light

Natural light can completely change a room.

If you have a window with a good view, don’t fight it. Arrange the room so you can actually enjoy it. Even a view of a backyard, trees, or changing weather gives you a connection to what’s happening outside.

Mirrors and lighter window treatments can also help make better use of the natural light you already have.

5. Choose Things That Remind You of Places You Love

This is probably the most important one.

Your home doesn’t need to look like a magazine spread. It should feel like your home.

If you love the ocean, bring in colors, artwork or objects that remind you of being there. If you’d rather disappear into a cabin in the woods for a week, maybe you gravitate toward warm wood, wildlife art and forest landscapes.

The goal isn’t to create a theme. It’s to surround yourself with things that have some meaning to you.

Why Does Any of This Matter?

Research into environmental psychology has found associations between exposure to nature and benefits such as relaxation, attention restoration and well-being. Even representations of nature may provide some of those effects.

But I also think there’s a much simpler way to look at it.

Our homes are where we spend a huge part of our lives. We might as well make them places where we actually enjoy being.

As an artist, that’s one reason I keep returning to nature in my work. I’m interested in those moments when a landscape makes you stop what you’re doing for a second and simply appreciate what you see. 

If one of my paintings can give someone a little piece of that feeling in their own home, I’m pretty happy with that.