Life, Styled
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 draw inspiration 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, a consideration of 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 also gives your family exactly what it needs to be and stay well.
Why Do We Crave Nature?
Often, our mood and behavior are 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 aids in our overall health and well-being. 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 that can be interspersed throughout the 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 in the design, such as a part of the living room or even on one of the kitchen walls. A small indoor water fountain also brings added health benefits by producing negative ions and reducing air pollution. But the benefits of water can also be achieved in a beautiful art piece or even an LED screen that has moving 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 make the most of it.
- Wood: A natural element that is not only beautiful but also 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 in your design plans. Your family matters, and choosing to add some of nature’s elements can lead to overall better well-being.
Benefits Of Connecting With Nature
With most of us spending nearly two-thirds of our lives 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 gives 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 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 too 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.
Walker Woodworking There are some that have remained constant, while others have had their brief moment to shine, but does color really matter? Is there a reason behind the colors we choose, and can they really have an influence on the home? The answer is yes, color is one of the most powerful design tools, which is why designers are taught color psychology in school. To better help you understand its importance, we thought it would be helpful to share some of this information with you.
Kitchen layouts are a critical part of the design process because they can help you maximize the use of your space. There are certain layouts that are better suited to a particular home, such as an apartment or a large open area, making it essential to understand the function and benefits of each. Selecting the right kitchen layout for your new home is crucial, as it is one of the most frequently used rooms in the house and must be tailored to your specific needs and lifestyle. Let’s discuss what each layout is, which one works best for different home designs, and the benefits it can provide.
Greenbrook Design Window treatments are often the last element considered when decorating a house, but they play a crucial part in the overall look of the home. They are often considered the finishing touch to any space and can influence the feel as well. The fabric choice, the style, and even the function can bring several benefits to your home. Window treatments offer protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays, shading you and your furniture from fading, while also lowering your electricity bill. Selecting a fabric that complements your particular design style or creates a beautiful statement in your home can make all the difference in any room. Window treatments also serve a functional purpose, as they can block the sun’s glare and provide you and your family with privacy.
Walker Woodworking Home trends and styles change every year as designers track the elements that seem to be gaining popularity and why. While it is not recommended to follow the latest trend simply because it seems like the ideal choice, there are reasons why some trends become popular, eventually becoming a staple in design. 2022 brought several trends in home decor, some of which have been around for a while but are now gaining traction for good reasons. Let’s explore some of the top options on the list so you can understand the benefits they offer and determine if they are a good fit for your home.
Walker Woodworking We know that at the end of the day, it is the details that make a space feel like home. The functional kitchen space is great, and the multipurpose bathroom vanity is a must, but the little things enable every area to reflect you and your personality. There are literally hundreds of ways to utilize accent pieces throughout your home, but one that has been trending for some time is the use of plants, both in your indoor and outdoor spaces. Traditionally, when we think of plants, our minds think of real but faux greenery, and florals have also become popular. Dried is another option that has found its way into the design world.
Walker Woodworking 