Incorporating Natural Elements
If you read my previous blog post “Interiors and Mental Health”, you probably can tell by now that I am passionate about how interior design and the elements we use affect us. I mentioned how bringing in natural elements such as stones, natural light, plants, and a natural color palette promotes a peaceful connection to our outside environments. I want to explore more ways we can use natural elements in our interiors while still keeping a fresh and welcoming feel rather than the cold and harsh aesthetic that some trending interior designs tend to bring.
Let's start off with incorporating natural elements in our spaces. For me, since my personal design choice is a traditional southern/ classic coastal one, bringing in oak woods, rattan, sisal, and linen are the perfect choices that will give me the nautical and cozy feel I need. Sisal rugs are the perfect addition to any coastal space that needs a little extra touch of a natural element. Sisal rugs are made of long fibers from the agave sisalana plant of Southern Mexico. It is important to know that sisal rugs have many pros such as being biodegradable, versatile, and sound absorbing; however, they can be sensitive to heat or moisture. Another fun way to bring in a natural element is accents of oak wood. You can use large rounded pieces of driftwood as a centerpiece on a table or console. I also love the oak detailed ceilings and columns inside homes. I feel that they add a visual detail that will subtly bring the comforting feel of nature into a space while also adding durability. Oak is a low-maintenance wood that is also an affordable option which makes it the perfect detail to incorporate for anyone wanting a natural and coastal feel in their space.
Natural light is essential in any space as it promotes mood and decreases stress. You may think that the only way to have natural light is through windows but there are actually many ways to have a bright and airy space. Of course, the best way to bring in more natural light into a space is through adding or replacing windows but you can also do this by replacing your curtains, painting with light/natural colors, decorating with mirrors and using soft white light bulbs which range from 2700k-3000k. A simple way to add more natural light is to replace your curtains with a linen or sheer option which allows more light to come through. These textiles also bring in a natural and airy feel. If adding more windows to your space is not an option, paint colors such as a soft white, cool tones of blue or pink or light grays will bring in light through their light-reflective properties, and abilities to make a room feel more open. Mirrors can reflect the light in the space which will add a brighter feel to your room with the more mirrors you decorate with. Natural light plays a huge part in our psychological and physical well being and it is so important to make sure your space has plenty of it!
In order for your space to have that clean airy feeling, you need to have clean air. Plants are a perfect addition to your space to clean the air, and add a natural detail. The most common indoor plants are fiddle leaf figs, snake plants, monstera, and ZZ plants. All of these are popular for their own specific reasons but what they all have in common is that they are good for cleaning the air in your room and are low maintenance which is helpful for those of us who are super busy! These plants all have a unique leaf and structure that brings the space's visual appeal to an increased level. Plants help us reduce stress and improve our concentration while helping us breathe better! I also want to mention that there are so many beautiful planters that you can use for your indoor plants- clay ones are my absolute favorite!
There are so many reasons why incorporating natural elements in any way is essential to having a space that promotes a healthy lifestyle and these are just a few! I encourage anyone who reads this to take into consideration how they would be able to bring in some fresh elements into their space!
