Connecting with nature provides opportunities for recreation and leisure, spiritual fulfillment, personal development, social relations, and aesthetic experiences, according to Alexandros Gasparatos, PhD, associate professor of sustainability science at the Institute for Future Initiatives (IFI) at the University of Tokyo. For those who want to incorporate their love for nature into various aspects of day-to-day life, there are plenty of creative ways to do so. From the power of home design and themed decor to taking up indoor nature-focused activities, here are just a few ways to get started.
Opting for outdoorsy decor
For those who love nature, creating a space inside that tastefully reflects the outdoors can easily be achieved. “Nature is a timeless source of inspiration for interior design, whether decorating with dried flowers, houseplants, or natural materials like wood,” notes a House Digest article. While mounting a deer head onto the wall (whether it be real or faux) aligns with the decor taste of some, there are plenty of other options out there when it comes to bringing nature indoors. For those who wish to emulate a camping-like aesthetic, incorporating dark wooden accents and rich plantlife throughout the home can easily create a cozy and relaxing environment.
Motifs such as wood burned signage, camping themed knick-knacks, and homemade wooden furniture can all work to create a camping/cabin-in-the-woods aesthetic. Seating that reflects earthy tones, from deep, rich browns to light beige shades can further contribute to the design while bringing warmth to any room in the house, while pops of vibrant color can be brought in via houseplants. A post from House Beautiful elaborates on how one can effectively achieve an outdoorsy interior design, noting “Tempt the outside in by continuing the natural theme with carefully chosen accessories and soft furnishings. Botanical and wildlife prints are a sure-fire way to do this, especially in these green and blue tones.”
Embracing new hobbies
When the weather isn’t ideal, there are still plenty of ways in which you can incorporate nature into your day, particularly when it comes to activities. For instance, caring for an indoor kitchen garden is just one great hobby worth starting — not only does it add a touch of green to your home, but gardening plants such as herbs or vegetables makes for a great culinary addition, too. An Architectural Digest post offers several tips for growing herbs indoors, noting that choosing herbs that you regularly use to cook (such as chives or cilantro) can be a great way to tailor your indoor garden to your specific tastes. The post goes on to highlight the fact that planting your herbs in hanging pots in front of your kitchen window or on an adjacent wall can address a lack of countertop space. Starting your garden in vessels that you already have is another tip offered that further proves that starting such a hobby can be incredibly flexible.
Incorporating nature into other aspects of your daily life — such as relaxation — can also work to bring aspects of the outdoors inside. Natural lighting, for instance, has the potential to boost vitamin D, helps ward off seasonal depression, improves sleep, and reduces the health risks of fluorescent lighting, Healthline notes. While getting outside when possible is a fantastic way to get a healthy dose of sunshine, ditching the heavy curtains and allowing as much natural lighting into your home as possible is a great way to let nature shine though. Playing nature themed online games while soaking up the sunlight by the window or in a room with fantastic natural lighting is a great way to indulge in your love for the outdoors if you’re unable to get out. This can be particularly ideal when the weather isn’t great or you simply don’t have ample time to fish, walk, or hike outside. From games that allow you to take part in nature-filled adventures or activities such as fishing virtually, playing a casino-style game that incorporates woodland-inspired design is a great way to wind down and relax too.
Creating a mini ecosystem indoors
Apart from growing houseplants or your own indoor garden, creating a terrarium is another fantastic idea for those who want to bring the outdoors in. Defined by The Spruce as an indoor gardening container that holds plants, it’s noted that they can be created purely for decoration, scientific observation, or for plant propagation. “You can set up a basic terrarium in an hour or two with very few inexpensive materials, including many types of glass containers that make beautiful vessels for DIY terrariums.” The post goes on to point out that miniature terrarium plants only cost a few dollars each. While this project is ideal for those who like to get their hands a bit dirty, it can also cater to those who wish to create terrariums and transform them into a small civilization by adding creatures and animals. For example pill bugs, pond snails, earthworms, and millipedes are just a few animals and insects that you can keep in a closed terrarium.
Surrounding yourself with nature — even when indoors — sounds like a challenging (and even impossible) endeavor. However, there are plenty of fantastic options worth keeping in mind, whether you’re looking to align your home’s interior design with what you love about the outdoors, or you’re in need of a new nature-filled hobby like creating a terrarium or playing a game that highlights your love for the outdoors.
