If you’re a nature lover, chances are you are always looking for new ways to incorporate a touch of green into your home. Reflecting nature in your indoor spaces can sometimes be challenging, especially if you live in an urban city apartment that is far away from the lush greenery of the countryside. In an ever increasingly urbanised world, our desire to reconnect with nature has never been stronger than in recent times. In fact, numerous studies have found that reconnecting to nature can have a significant positive impact on mental wellbeing, mood, creativity and stress levels.
If you are someone who is looking for new ways to incorporate the natural world into your urban home, you’ve chanced upon the perfect article. Today, we share 7 top tips for incorporating biophilia into urban spaces, so sit back, relax and read on to find out more!
1. Consider Investing In An Indoor Water Feature
If you live in an urban apartment that is far from any semblance of nature, one of the best things you can do to incorporate the natural world into your home is to invest in a quality water feature. Water features are a great way to temporarily escape from the busy world, and the sound of water can also help mask out the unsavoury noise of city traffic or those exceptionally loud next door neighbours. Aside from bringing an instant touch of zen into your space, the sound of water is also a form of “white noise” which may provide multiple psychological benefits.
In fact, researchers believe that the sound of water can guide the neuronal waves in our brain, allowing for a calming effect. If you are someone who loves taking a nap when it is storming outside, you’ll know exactly what we are talking about. So, if you’re looking for a simple yet effective way to inject some nature into your urban space, you simply cannot go wrong with a water feature.
1. Decorate With Natural Textiles and Fabrics
Another inexpensive yet effective way of adding a touch of the great outdoors to your urban space is with the help of decorative natural textiles and fabrics. Some popular options include hemp, cotton, flax, coir, organic linen, recycled fabrics and other plant-based fibres that offer an earthy, natural and most importantly, sustainable option to home decor. You can use various natural fabrics in your rugs, bedding, sheets, curtains, throw blankets, cushions, and even tea towels with floral or plant patterns that reflect nature.
Learn more about the most sustainable fabrics on the market in this informative article.
2. Head To Your Local Nursery
If you’re on a mission to liven up your space with natural elements, it doesn’t get more obvious than heading to your local nursery to pick up a few indoor plants to beautify your space. Did you know that Indoor plants offer more than just aesthetic appeal? In fact, they are scientifically proven to improve air quality (always a good thing in urban areas), increase focus, improve mood and more.
Thankfully, you don’t have to have the ultimate in green thumbs if you’re looking to incorporate plants into your space. There are many varieties and species of indoor plants that are low maintenance and require little to no tending. Some of our favourite ones include the easy breezy Snake Plant (Sansevieria), Calathea, Peace Lily and Chinese Evergreen. Explore 17 low-maintenance houseplants that are as pretty as they are easy to care for here.
3. Paint In Earthy Tones
If your apartment is in need of a new coat of paint and you’re up for the job, we highly recommend painting in earthy tones. Painting is one of the easiest and most effective ways to give any space an instant makeover, and can help to create the exact ambience you are after thanks to the power of colour. Some of our favourite earthy wall colours include off-whites and creams, muted greens, beiges and taupes. Even if you’re not looking to repaint your entire space, adding a feature wall in an earth-inspired colour will instantly revive your space with minimal effort. Of course, if you’re renting, be sure to get the seal of approval from your landlord first!
Explore 27 nature-themed colour palettes for a calm, beautiful home here.
4. Incorporate Natural Materials and Furniture
When it comes to furniture, a great way to inject a touch of the natural world into your urban home is to opt for natural materials such as bamboo, rattan, seagrass and more. These sustainably sourced materials are one of the easiest ways to incorporate biophilia into your home and are guaranteed to turn your home into the ultimate zen paradise. Whether you’re on the hunt for the perfect shoe rack, TV unit or coffee table, you are guaranteed to find natural and sustainable options in 2022.
As an added bonus, many of these natural materials are durable, reusable, recyclable, and recoverable material that will last longer compared to engineered wood or veneers, which are more likely to end up in landfills. Learn more about sustainable furniture choices in this informative article.
5. Create A View With Photographic Art Prints
Sometimes, incorporating nature into your space can be as simple as hanging up a nature-inspired print, photograph or painting. This is a fantastic option for renters who may not be able to repaint your home or are simply limited by budget constraints. If the view from your window is more city grunge than natural landscapes, simply head to your Kmart, Target or favourite print shop to get your hands on nature-inspired artwork for an instant reminder of the great outdoors when you’re stuck inside. It’s as simple as that!
6. Grow Healthy Herbs in Your Kitchen
Last but certainly by no means the least, if you are someone who loves getting crafty in the kitchen, we highly recommend growing healthy herbs in the comfort of your own home. Creating an indoor herb garden on your kitchen counter or windowsill is a fantastic way to add an instant pop of green to your space, with the added bonus of access to freshly grown herbs and produce to create healthy, organic meals on the cheap. You can easily place seedlings or small plants in tiny pots throughout your kitchen, or you may even consider investing in a hydroponic grow kit if you are really serious about your stuff. Some of our favourite herbs to grow indoors include mint, parsley, coriander, basil, chives and thyme.
Top Tip: We recommend using rubber, glass or metal pots with good drainage. Be sure to use a saucer, liner, or drain pan under each pot to catch any water runoff to protect the surface of your tabletop or windowsill.
Incorporating biophilia into your urban space doesn’t have to be rocket science or cost thousands of dollars. In fact, by following these simple yet achievable tips, you’ll be well on your way to curating the perfect nature retreat within the four walls of your urban home.
What are some of your own, tried-and-tested tips for incorporating the natural world into your urban home? Be sure to share your thoughts, ideas and tips in the comments section below!
Article Submitted By Community Writer
