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 WoodworkingThere is more to color than simply a large selection of hues. Color sends a message and can represent thought and emotion, especially in the world of design. Each year, Pantone announces its choice for the color of the year, a tradition that started in 1999, and designers everywhere eagerly await the news. Classic Blue was this year’s choice of color, a color that represents the future.
As we prepare to close the door on one decade and begin anew, many are filled with anticipation of what the coming year will bring. Blue has always been associated with stability, relaxation, and tranquility, as is seen in nature with the ocean and sky. We understand that hectic schedules and stressful office days generate a need for a place to unwind and completely relax. Here are a few ways to incorporate the color of the year into your home and give it that welcoming environment that will last throughout the coming decade and beyond.
Walker WoodworkingLight is one of nature’s most captivating elements, and its presence has the power to transform a space. In the world of interior design, natural light plays a vital role—not only by enhancing aesthetics but also by elevating the overall atmosphere of a room. It can create dramatic contrasts that bring depth and interest to a space, while also highlighting architectural and design features.
Natural light, when thoughtfully incorporated, makes interiors feel larger, warmer, and more welcoming. At Greenbrook Design, we embrace a design approach known as daylighting—the intentional use of natural light to shape how a space looks and feels throughout the day. It’s one of our favorite tools in the design process.
Here are just a few reasons why we love incorporating natural light into our projects…
Walker WoodworkingRugs have long been a staple in interior design, often described as the “shoes” of a room—they complete the look. Whether subtly complementing a color palette or boldly standing out as a statement piece, rugs add warmth, texture, and personality to any space. A well-chosen rug can effortlessly transform the entire feel of a room.
However, traditional rugs come with their share of drawbacks. From frequent deep cleaning (which often means renting equipment and moving heavy furniture) to concerns about allergies and curled edges that pose tripping hazards, maintaining a rug can be more work than many homeowners anticipate.
That’s why we’re excited to introduce an elegant, low-maintenance alternative: Vintage Vinyl floor cloths.
In today’s tech-savvy world, it’s easy to find decorating tips and budget advice with just a few clicks. Popular shows on networks like HGTV make home remodeling look fast and effortless—transforming entire kitchens or bathrooms in under an hour. While these shows are inspiring, what often goes unseen is the extensive planning and detail required behind the scenes to bring those transformations to life.
At the heart of nearly every successful project is one key factor: staying on budget.
Window treatments not only provide shade and privacy, but they also allow the homeowner to show their personality. No person is the same, and neither should their window treatments. They are meant to be a reflection of you and your style. Whether you prefer a more contemporary or traditional style, solar or soft roman shades, wood or pleated, Graber’s vast array of colors, options, and designs will surely suit anyone’s taste. Learn more about Graber on our product page or come visit us in our showroom located in Shelby, NC, and ask to see our Graber display. We would love to help you add the finishing touches to that space where nature and home meet.
Walker Woodworking 