Ways to Include More Green and Natural Elements in Your Home
The other day someone asked me, "What if you're not really a house plant person but still want to enjoy nature in your home?" There are many creative ways to infuse your home with the beauty and tranquillity of nature. Here are some of my suggestions:
1. Terrariums
These miniature indoor ecosystems add a touch of green beauty and make lovely focal points on shelves, desks, or coffee tables. They also tend to require far less care than many potted plants, as their enclosed environment allows for better humidity control. We have a couple of terrariums that I’ve made, and they’re now quite self-sufficient. So, they’re a great option for anyone who struggles to keep plants alive.
2. Botanical Art and Prints
Hang framed photographs, illustrations, or paintings of plants, flowers, leaves, or natural landscapes to bring a sense of calm and connection to nature into your living space.
3. Dried Flowers and Grasses
Use dried lavender, eucalyptus, pampas grass, or wheat in vases for long-lasting natural décor with earthy texture and subtle scent. I also enjoy framed pressed flowers and mosses are lovely to style with.
4. Nature-Inspired Textiles
Incorporate leafy patterns or floral designs through cushions, curtains, tapestries, wallhangings, rugs, or bedding to evoke the feeling of nature indoors.
5. Natural Materials
Choose wood, stone, slate, rattan, cork, clay, or linen for furniture, baskets, or accessories to introduce warmth and grounding natural textures.
6. Shells, Stones, and Driftwood
Decorate with small treasures from nature—collected ethically—such as smooth stones, seashells, or pieces of driftwood for organic beauty and storytelling value.
7. Aromatherapy and Essential Oils
Scents like pine, lavender, or citrus can evoke the essence of the outdoors and promote relaxation, even without a visible plant in sight.
8. Nature Sounds
Play recordings of birdsong, ocean waves, or forest ambience to deepen your sense of connection to the natural world, especially in quiet spaces. Gentle wind chimes can be lovely to bring our awareness back to the present moment when the breeze visits your home.
9. Windows with a View
If you're blessed to have a view of trees, sky, or gardens, let natural light in and keep window areas uncluttered to frame and celebrate the scene.
10. Aquariums and Water Features
The gentle sound of trickling water from an indoor tabletop fountain can be incredibly calming and connect you to nature. Aquariums are also a lovely way to enjoy the water element in your home, caring for the tank's inhabitants is good for the soul and relaxing to watch them glide through the water. If fish feel like too much of a commitment, I often put an aquarium video on our TV from YouTube.
11. Seasonal Moments.
A vase of seasonal cut flowers in spring or summer, pinecones in autumn and holly in the winter give a little nod to the changing seasons outside our doors.
By thoughtfully incorporating these elements into your space, you can create a home that feels deeply connected to the natural world, fostering a sense of calm, rejuvenation, and well-being.
If you have any other ideas for how to bring more nature into the home, please comment below.
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