In every nature-lover, there’s a distraught homeowner who’s trying to make their dream treehouse come true. Unfortunately, the childhood ideal of the perfect house perched on top of the tree is a lot more difficult to achieve than it might have seemed when you were 10. As a homeowner – and a responsible one – you know that you need to find a middle way to invite nature inside your home without breaking the bank.
Ultimately, there’s no denying that building a treehouse in the middle of your urban community is not an option. So, you need to find a way that can combine your passion and your household as safely as possible. The about nature integration is to focus on the details that matter – based on your budget, personality, architectural style, and overall requirements.
The sound of water at home
Water is life. It not only plays a significant in keeping the planet alive by feedings plants and animals, and maintaining the ecosystem balance, but it also has a soothing influence on the human mind. Indeed, the presence of water in your home decor creates a sensory experience that can completely transform the atmosphere. It’s no surprise that yoga centers use water features as a centerpiece of their relaxing environment. You can make water an integral part of your interior decor to generate a similar feeling of peacefulness. Especially useful as a way to keep traffic noises at bay in an urban environment, your water feature can add a new dimension to the style of your home. If you want something colorful that brings nature closer, using an aquarium as an architectural focal point can not only create an accent in the room but also soundproof an area. Besides, studies confirm that watching fish swim can lower your blood pressure! If you’re worried about maintenance costs, you can opt instead for a dramatic water entryway, using professional water feature kits to create an indoor pond or a fountain. For an esoteric touch, you might want to add Koi carps – unless you’ve got cats who can’t be contained!
Build your own Amazonian forest
Can a small home have a conservatory? Ultimately, when you’re short on space, it can be tricky to add plants to your decor without feeling cramped. However, you can use plants as a way to manage a typical house issue, namely, excess moisture. An awkward bathroom setting can make it difficult to evacuate the humidity safely. But the addition of lush greenery that thrives in high humidity and low light climates can help you to tackle the issue effectively. Aloe vera, bamboo and begonia can add splashes of colors to your small bathroom while absorbing the humidity in the air.
Best seasonal decorations
You might be used to the tradition winter wreath that decorates the door around Christmas time, but have you ever considered making your own seasonal version? Indeed, with spring being only around the corner, you might want to make the most of the early bloom to create a green and engaging decor. Admittedly, you might find some stylish solutions online or in shops. But if you’re up for a challenge, you could make your wreath with a little patience and creativity. You can use bendy wood as a base and add pops of colors with seasonal flowers. Lavender is a good choice as it continues to smell fantastic for weeks! You can add cooking herbs to your homemade wreath to give your home a natural fragrance – rosemary, thyme and mint are great for that.
Create a breathtaking view
Most architects and interior designers agree that keeping your windows accessible can help you to turn your view into a decorative accent. Imagine seating on the sofa and enjoying a freshly brewed cup of coffee while looking at the green and blue of the lakes and the forest. While this sounds appealing, most homes don’t have access to breathtaking views. When all you can see through the window is the street, it’s fair to say that you need to look elsewhere to build a nature-facing accent wall. But you can transform an otherwise dull wall into a garden with decorative mural wallpaper. A pattern that displays large leaves or trees sets an entirely different tone in the room. Murals work well as a stylish improvement to a reception or an entertaining room, such as the living room or the dining room. But they can also enhance your creativity in the home office!
Furniture that makes a difference
Do you need to physically place a tree inside your home to make room for nature? If you prefer something subtle, but that can make a great deal of difference in the long term, you might prefer to focus your attention on your relationship with nature. Indeed, by choosing sustainable furniture, you can bring nature at home without transforming your style. Joybird, for instance, is an eco-friendly company that makes furniture to order and help preserve the rainforests. For a boho-chic look, you can opt for a more affordable alternative, such as reclaimed and upcycled furniture – Etsy is a brilliant source of inspiration; however, you can choose to build your own items if you want to be in charge of the project. Finally, Crate & Barrel are famous for their sustainable bamboo furniture that is entirely handcrafted.
The art of aromatherapy
When you think of your decor in terms of sensory experience, you can explore new ways of inviting nature into your interior without cluttering the space with a new piece of furniture or an oversized decor feature. Working on your senses only, you can tap into the least utilized but most important sensation of wellbeing, your sense of smell. Indeed, odors can not only help to create an ambiance, but they can also affect your mood and your overall mental health. The aromatherapy is deeply rooted in our cultural practice and helps to establish a connection to nature. Essential oils are, for instance, an excellent addition to your interior. You can use an elegant diffuser to help you to fall asleep with essential lavender oil, to fight off germs with mint and rosemary oils, or even to feel energized with citrus fruit oils.
Have an indoor garden
A small home or even an apartment can limit your nature-friendly options. But it doesn’t mean that you can’t give nature a central play in your decor. A miniature, indoor garden offers a creative take on the typical lush lawn. You can create an appealing garden that fits on your coffee table without making it look forced. Zen gardens, especially, fit ideally in a minimalist decor. They can also prove entertaining to your guests – who can think of anything more peaceful than drawing lines in the sand? If you prefer a green accent, you can use bonsai trees and succulent plants to build a self-contained forest that welcomes your visitors in the entrance.
Managing your trash habits once and for all
Nature lovers are more than aware of the negative influence that modern civilization has on the planet. Tons of plastic are thrown at the bottom of the oceans, putting wildlife at risk. Maybe, in this instance, your innovative interior improvement can focus on the introduction of recycling bins at home. Recycling is wrongly described as a problematic and time-demanding activity that takes efforts to master. In truth, you need a clear system that states what belongs where and how to handle each item. Sure, it can take a few milliseconds extra to get rid of a box of milk, but isn’t wildlife worth your time?
Save money by saving the planet
When you’re working on a tight budget, the last thing you want to do is to introduce expensive changes to your household. Loving nature is one thing, but you don’t want to accumulate debts to secure green materials. Unfortunately, it’s a familiar position for many homeowners. Thankfully, however, you can fulfill your duties as a nature lover without going over budget. In fact, you can even save money in the process. Indeed, high energy consumption is linked to harmful carbon emissions in the atmosphere, which you can tackle by reducing your electricity usage at home. Fitting a thermostat to control your heating system can cut down heating costs dramatically, for instance. Identifying the energy vampires in your home and replacing or managing them effectively can cut down your bill too.
For the talented builders: Make it green
Last, but not least, if you’re in the process of buying your next home, you can make the environment an essential criterion. Indeed, talented architects and dedicated nature-lovers have combined their efforts to create housings that are built with recycled material. Victor Moore started building his Junk Castle in 1970 out of salvaged materials for a total cost of $500. The house is not only cheap, but it is eco-friendly too! Additionally, earthships are super-sustainable homes built from recycled trash, in a similar way to the Junk Castle. However, many have developed ingenious solutions to ensure access to clean water, electricity and free food.
In conclusion, there is more than one way to give back to nature in your home. Budget should never be an issue when it comes to creating a green feature!
