How to Take Inspiration from Nature When Decorating Your Home
There is something about a garden that stimulates the imagination. Even if it’s not all that grand—no matter how small it may be, consisting of little more than a lawn lined by a sorrowful shrub and half-hearted rose bush—there’s an unobtrusive enchantment to it. The movement of light from dawn to dusk, the brief flash of color in early summer, the scent of damp soil after rain. And yet, somehow, we end up keeping all this beauty on the outside, content to enjoy it from behind glass while observing from the safety of a room that could just as easily be part of an airport terminal.
The question is, why? If a garden is a place of peace, of creativity, of living, then surely it makes sense that our interiors could use a little of the same energy. But instead of just plopping a houseplant in the corner and resting on laurels, there are means to capture the spirit of the outdoors and blend it into the design of a home. It’s all about moving past the surface and seeing what actually brings a garden to life—the motion, the texture, the constantly shifting display of color. And sometimes, the starting point is to start with the walls themselves.
The Power of Wall Murals in Bringing the Outdoors In
Walls, naturally, are the silent observers of a room. They set the stage, establish the mood, and—if left utterly bare—can appear to be waiting for something to happen. That’s where wall murals come in. Rather than simply hanging a few framed photographs around the room (pretty enough, but a little dull), a mural surrounds an entire space, enveloping it in an immersive environment that alters the perception of the room.
Try panoramic wallpaper by Photowall. A rolling woodland scene, a classy bouquet of flowers, or a modern interpretation of dappled light through leaves—these are not just a nice thing to look at, they’re a statement. They recast the atmosphere of a room, breaking it open past four walls and allowing it to breathe. A mural inspired by nature doesn’t merely evoke the outdoors; it brings it right into the room and makes it unavoidable.
Of course, not everyone is willing to go the whole hog with a full-on woodland scene on their dining room wall (although honestly, why not?). But even more subtle measures—soothing botanical prints, soft watercolor vistas—can work a magic spell. The trick is to pick something that seems like an extension of your environment and not some forced imposition.
Color: Borrowing from the Garden’s Palette
One of the easiest ways to bring the outside in is through color. Gardens appear to arrange themselves quite naturally enough—greenery punctuated by natural outbursts of flowers, earth tones grounding the entire picture. This can be achieved indoors as well, only with a little more finagling.
Soft green leaves and moody dark blues are soothing, but warmer, sun-baked hues—terracotta, ochre, pale peach—can create the appearance of a garden bathed in golden light. And for those who love drama, rich berry or deep plum can bring the color of late-summer blooms into a room. The trick is to avoid anything that has too flat, artificial a look. Nature is all about variation, and interiors must capture that, whether by layering various shades or using materials that introduce texture and depth.
Textures and Materials: The Tactile Side of Nature
Aside from color, one of the best means of creating a space that feels more in harmony with the natural world is through texture. A garden is not made up of smooth, uniform planes—it’s a mosaic of rough bark, soft petals, chilly stone, and flowing grasses. Indoors, this translates into layering of textures: linen cushions against a distressed wood bench, a woollen throw over a rattan chair, hand-painted ceramic vases with that ever-so-imperfect, human touch.
Natural materials—wood, stone, woven fibre—instantly root a space, imbuing it with warmth and a sense of familiarity with the world outside its confines. Even minor details, such as a clay pot or a slightly wobbly, hand-blown glass, can create a room that feels lived-in in the best way possible. It’s such imperfections, such subtle reminders of the human touch, that make a space feel impossibly inviting.
Lighting: Emulating the Sun’s Movement
If there is one thing that defines the atmosphere of a garden, it is the movement of light through it. The shifting patterns of shadow, the way the early morning sun drenches everything in gold, the pale, cool colors of evening. In the house, lighting is often an afterthought—practical, not atmospheric. But with a little thought, it can completely transform a room.
Layering light sources—dancing candles in the evening, cozy bulbs, gentle table lamps—contributes a feeling of movement and depth, as if replicating the shifting light outside. And wherever possible, maximizing natural light (pushing aside heavy drapes, reflecting it off shiny surfaces around the room) makes a room feel larger, fresher, and more vibrant.
Bringing in the Real Thing: Houseplants and Fresh Flowers
Of course, no list of bringing the outdoors in would be complete without a mention of real plants. Houseplants have been having a moment in recent years, and rightly so: they instantly make a room feel more refreshing, while also quietly purifying the air and just being pleasant to have around.
For the non-gardener, the trick is to start small: a low-maintenance snake plant that appears to thrive on neglect, a cascading pothos with no effort necessary to hang it on a shelf, a peace lily that graciously forgives the occasional missed watering. Fresh flowers, too, are an underutilized ornament for a home—not just for holidays, but as a daily treat. A simple vase of wildflowers in a glass vase, a few sprigs of eucalyptus on an end table—these small things make a space that is cared for, loved, lived in.
