Design is more than just creating a layout that is functional and beautiful, it is about turning a house into a home that has an atmosphere just right for you. A functional home is good but a home where you feel at home is best which is the end goal for every designer. One way to have a welcoming environment is to take some notes from nature which is a trend that is gaining momentum in the design world. Biophilia is a holistic approach to design that focuses on health, safety, and welfare, something that remains of the utmost importance for interior designers. Let’s take a deeper look into this topic and how you can create a home environment that not only works for you but gives your family exactly what it needs to be and stay well.

Why do we crave nature?

Often our mood and behavior is influenced by the surrounding environment. Have you ever noticed that a walk on the beach or even spending some time in your backyard calms and refreshes you? Unfortunately we tend to spend more and more time indoors due to work or even many of our recreational activities such as watching television. Nature has a positive impact on us and when we incorporate some of its elements into our home we can bring those positive vibes to our family which aid in our overall health and wellbeing. It is a part of us, something we crave without fully realizing it so we should make it a priority to weave it back into our homes. Read more about Biophilia here.

Nature’s elements

Water, light, plants, and more are all elements from nature than can be interspersed throughout home through careful design planning. Here are some ways to include them in your next remodel or construction project.

• Water: this is a soothing element with its gentle sounds and calming movement. Consider including a small aquarium into the design such as a part of the living room or even into one of the kitchen walls. A small indoor water fountain also brings added health benefits by its ability to produce negative ions and reduce air pollution. But the benefits of water can also be achieved in a beautiful art piece or even a LED screen that has movement with water sounds.
• Light: we talk often about the use of natural light especially when you spend multiple hours inside, like those of us who work from home more than we ever have before. Working with natural light to conserve energy and maximize comfort is called daylighting. Artificial lighting has negative effects on your health which is why it is essential to take advantage of natural light whenever possible. Skylights, additional windows, and planning a layout to best utilize the light that comes inside our homes are just a few ways to fully use it in our home.
• Wood: a natural element that is not only beautiful but beneficial. Integrating wood into your interior design can, like water, clean the air as well as reduce stress and blood pressure while increasing creativity and cognitive abilities. Flooring, exposed beams, accent walls made from reclaimed wood, and even shelving are great ways to bring wood into the home.
• Plants: while this may seem like an obvious one, placing plants inside the home can help reduce stress and anxiety, filter the air, and promote a better night’s sleep. Adding large potted plants is a great way to fill space in larger rooms while small ones do well in window sills and kitchen tables. Don’t forget that they make great additions to bedrooms too.

Talk to your designer about including some of these elements into your design plans. Your family matters and choosing to add some of nature’s elements can lead to an overall better well being.

Benefits of connecting with nature

With most of us spending nearly two thirds of our life indoors, it is no wonder we feel worn down and stressed. Exposure to the sun helps us get our dose of vitamin D and enjoying the colors of nature give us a mental boost. A home office with a large window that lets in lots of natural light and having several potted plants can help increase productivity while minimizing stress. Adding on a sunroom where the kids can do their schoolwork creates a healthy environment for them to learn and be creative. Choosing to include wood flooring in your project means a cleaner environment for your loved ones. When you are inside for two long it can create restlessness and lead to irritability. Nature is more than just a beautiful backdrop, it is meant to be enjoyed in person and bringing it indoors will yield many benefits for you and your family.

Let’s get connected

Interior designers are realizing more and more the need to bring nature indoors as are manufacturers since many have unveiled new products that contain wood and textures inspired by nature. We invite you to visit our showroom where we have many of these items on display such as hardware, countertops, and flooring that provide the perfect touch of nature for your home. Let us help you design a home that is connected to nature and beneficial for your family, contact us today to schedule your design consultation.