Creating a Natural Home
Of all the spaces we occupy, home is the most significant place we spend time and the place where we can make positive changes. As we become increasingly aware of the earth’s limited resources, many of us strive for a simpler life, more attuned with the natural world. Nature has always been revered for its ability to nurture and protect us. Our natural environment and its endless fascinating forms have long influenced artists and creatives alike. Now science is proving how nature can help to improve our well-being.
There is much to inform and inspire us in the natural world when designing and decorating our homes and there are increasing benefits to a natural home. Creating a natural home can play a vital part not only in how we feel and function, but also in terms of sustainability.
Universally we are intrinsically drawn to natural environments, finding beauty and comfort in nature. The gentle rhythms and colours of the natural world are calming, grounding and restorative. The term biophilia is used to define our innate affinity with the natural world and the importance it has on our wellbeing, health and productivity. Biophilia touches so many aspects of the home and plays a vital role in creating natural living spaces.
As we spend more and more time inside, crafting spaces that strengthen our connections to the natural world has become increasingly important. Making the most of views and maximising natural light in our homes by repositioning furniture or window dressings are simple steps in creating a natural environment. Similarly, opening curtains widely to let fresh air and the sound of nature find the way into our home and mind is beneficial. Breathing in fresh air improves our immune system, function and mood.
Another way to help create a natural home is to incorporate elements of nature. Bringing in objects from the outside such as plants, flowers and foliage, whether fresh or dried into our living spaces, adds colour and texture, creating a natural look and feel. Plants add life into a home, not only contributing to the look of the room but also changing how it feels to spend time within it. The beautiful natural forms of seashells, pinecones or sculptural branches are all nature’s works of art, and when displayed in favourite bowls or vases will add interest to any room and connect us to nature. The correlation between plants and wellbeing has been highlighted through scientific research and we know the role they can play in purifying the air within a space.
Along the same lines of bringing in elements of nature, the idea also relates to the materials we use to decorate and furnish our homes. There is no more effective way to create a natural home than by incorporating natural materials. Wood, stone and natural woven textiles such as linen, jute and wool bring a connection to the outdoors and help to create a natural environment. Natural materials infuse a room with organic texture and a natural warmth and comfort unmatched by synthetic materials. They invite us to touch, to use all our senses to experience an environment and they age beautifully over time. Indeed natures offerings are infinitely more beautiful and beneficial than anything we can devise.
As we embrace nature’s materials, we can also draw inspiration from the palette of nature when selecting fabrics, paints and accents for our home. Nature’s colour palettes cover every shade, and each season brings such a wide breadth of tones. A neutral colour scheme is a good starting point for a natural home. Other nature inspired colours, textures and patterns can then be layered in through furnishings, natural objects or books as desired. There is much we can learn in terms of design simply by taking inspiration from nature. Endlessly informative and effortlessly beautiful, it is a wonderful place to turn to for guidance and inspiration when creating a natural home.
Allow time to consider both how you want your home to look and feel, as just with the most beautiful things in nature, time and patience are key. As nature’s landscapes mature over time, so do thoughtfully designed living spaces, slowly growing and evolving with the people who live within them. Just as nature is seldom perfectly uniform, lived-in homes with objects, old and new, full of life and character, help to create a more natural feeling than perfectly curated spaces.
Nature’s sensory pleasures, visual beauty and infinite variety offer a calming respite from the modern world. For the moments when we can’t be outside, a natural home can be a wonderful alternative. Enhancing our connections to nature at home and reinforcing the fluidity between indoor and outdoor spaces can help improve our mood and well-being. Surrounding ourselves with natural elements and incorporating natural materials where possible can all contribute to fostering a natural home.
We hope that this entry may encourage you to look to the outside world for inspiration and create a natural home as a beautiful backdrop to everyday life. For more inspiration for a natural home, read our other journal posts, or visit our Pinterest gallery.
Further reading:
Biophilia | E.O Wilson
Biophilia – You, Nature and Home | Sally Coulthard
The Natural Home | Tricia Foley
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