Many people find that being surrounded by nature has a calming effect. There’s excellent evidence that time spent in nature lowers stress levels and improves mood. While spending more time outdoors is ideal, you can also bring those restorative qualities into your living space. A home that integrates nature feels warmer, more grounded, and more welcoming.
Some homeowners try to recreate this feeling with scented candles, diffusers, or various supplements including the best THC gummies, but physical elements of nature may have a more lasting impact. Here are five ways to bring nature indoors.
Fill your home with plants
Houseplants are one of the simplest and most effective ways to blur the line between outdoors and in. It could be a small collection of succulents on a windowsill or a large fiddle-leaf fig in a corner. This greenery introduces movement and life to a room. Plants help purify the air, improve humidity levels, and create a softer, more organic look.
When choosing your plants, consider the light in each room and the level of maintenance you’re comfortable with. Low-maintenance options like pothos, snake plants, and peace lilies work well for beginners, while ferns and calatheas can thrive in more humid spaces such as bathrooms. Including plants of varying heights introduces more visual interest, making the space feel more like a living environment than a static display.
Use natural materials in furniture and décor
The materials in your home can influence how connected you feel to the natural world. Wooden furniture, linen cushions, wool rugs, rattan chairs, and stone surfaces all add texture and warmth. These materials age gracefully, developing character over time rather than looking worn out. As Mavis Zhou writes, wood reacts beautifully to air and sunlight, resulting in changes of colour. Different types of wood – walnut, cherry, maple, oak, etc – age differently. For example, white oak turns more golden, red becomes warmer, while cherry wood takes on an amber colour.
Try replacing some plastic and other synthetic items with pieces made from real materials. A wooden dining table feels more grounded than a plastic one; woven baskets offer storage and rustic charm. You don’t need to overhaul everything at once. Even a few thoughtful swaps can shift the overall tone of a space toward something more peaceful and organic.
Maximise sunlight
Sunlight has a powerful effect on mood and energy. As a Healthline article on the health benefits of sunlight informs us, sunlight improves mental well-being by boosting serotonin levels, potentially alleviating symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Bright, well-lit spaces often feel more uplifting and spacious (in contrast, dim rooms tend to feel rather heavy). Try to keep windows clean and uncluttered to let in more light. Lightweight curtains allow sunlight to filter through without blocking the view. Some cleverly positioned mirrors can reflect light deeper into a room.
Consider the arrangement of your furniture as well. Moving a bulky sofa away from a window or choosing lighter finishes can make a surprising difference. If your home lacks natural light, warm-toned bulbs and lamps can mimic the glow of daylight, creating some of the open feel.
Create calming views with artwork and arrangements
Not every home has access to sweeping outdoor scenery, but you can create visual connections to nature with thoughtful design choices. Paintings and other artworks featuring natural landscapes, plants, and soft colours can give the impression of an expanded view. Place these pieces where your eye automatically rests (when entering the room or sitting on an armchair, for example) for more of a sense of the natural world.
You can also include some items that echo natural forms. A cluster of stones on a shelf, a bowl of seasonal fruit on a table, or a few branches displayed in a vase can remind you of the outdoors. These small touches work best when they’re uncluttered, allowing the eye to rest rather than compete for attention.
Enjoy soothing scents and sounds
Scent and sound can be powerful triggers for relaxation and memory. Natural aromas like lavender, citrus, and cedar suggest a walk in the woods or a fresh summer morning. Essential oils, dried herbs, or natural room sprays add nice tones without overwhelming the senses.
Sound can be really calming. A small indoor fountain provides the soft trickle of water. Create a calming backdrop with recordings of rain, birdsong, or ocean waves (many of which are free on YouTube and music streaming platforms – although without a paid subscription your calm may be interrupted by ads!).
Even if you live in a busy town or city, a few small changes can make your home a retreat from the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Takeaway
There’s usually no need for a full renovation. We don’t need to imitate a forest or a garden perfectly (a lofty goal). Bringing in just a few touches of the natural world invites us to relax. The home will start feeling like more of a living space. Take a few of these ideas and bring the outdoors indoors. For yourself and any guests, hopefully the home will be more calming, more happy, and more healthy.