Green building is in, and homeowners are getting into the trend of nature-inspired home designs. We need to keep up with our ideas and concepts to bring our clients the dream homes they deserve.
Here are a few ways to bring nature indoors and design a space that would please even mother nature!
1. Natural Wood Accents
Wooden furniture, shelves, and fixtures are the go-to aesthetic for anything nature-inspired. Wood, which comes in many different colors, shades, and durability, complements almost any material – from painted concrete to steel frames.
Natural wood also brings a sense of energy into the house and is generally favored by many homeowners. You can find several different types of wood, and some are water-resistant. Wooden accents are great for patios, living rooms, dens, and bedrooms.
2. Natural Stone Floors
Is there anything posher than a natural stone floor? Natural stone floors are the epitome of rustic meets class, granite, marble, or limestone, as they provide a natural feel to the otherwise mundane room.
Be careful when working with natural stone, as the material requires proper maintenance and cleaning. Natural stone is a popular choice for dens and entertainment rooms, where homeowners can show off their natural stone floors to guests and visitors.
3. Marble Countertops
Marble countertops, especially when used in the kitchen, present a natural-looking and classy touch to any home design. Marble countertops, too, are great for cooling down spaces, as they generally absorb less heat than the surrounding room. When accented with wood, marble creates a natural aesthetic that is timeless and elegant.
Be sure to present the house complete with marble polishing and protective coating so your design isn’t sullied by the powdery film that comes with working on marble tiles.
4. Integrate Brick Designs
A fully brick wall may not be ideal for the homeowner’s request, but integrating natural stone bricks into the interior and exterior design of the house makes all the difference in bringing a natural aesthetic to your design. The porous material of bricks also keeps the house cool, as they retain water and maintain temperature.
5. Covered Patio
A roofed or covered patio is great for homeowners who request an outdoor setting in a closed space. You can apply a covered patio even on balconies, where homeowners can bask in the warm sunlight and enjoy the cool breeze while staying in the comfort of their homes. Use waterproof natural materials, like bamboo and stones, to accent the patio.
6. Indoor Garden
Gardening has been a popular hobby ever since we started cultivating crops, and many homeowners nowadays request a garden space where they can grow their own greens. An indoor garden is a relatively new design that has become a requested addition to homes and is designed in collaboration with the architect, interior designer, and landscape architect.
Indoor gardening typically requires a large, boxed-off area where potting soil or other similar medium is used in place of clay or dirt to grow plants. Landscapers would fill these boxes with indoor plants, arranging them to maintain a healthy garden bed indoors.
7. Accent with Potted Plants
Potted plants differ from indoor gardens in that these plants are used to accent the home, bringing in the sense of life and vitality. When designing a natural-looking space, keep in mind to choose bright, vibrant plants that are low maintenance, and require low light to keep indoors.
8. Let in the Natural Light
There are two ways you can bring natural light into the house: clear windows and solar panels. The first way is fairly straightforward, as you use clear glass panels that allow natural light to shine into the house during any time of the day. The angle and positioning of the windows will determine how much natural light gets in during different times.
The second way, using solar panels, allows the homeowner to switch to an eco-friendly alternative for their power source, as the solar panels harness energy from the sun. Both ways can be done in conjunction with each other, and they can minimize the need for electricity consumption in the house.
9. Design with Breeze Blocks
Breeze blocks have made a comeback with the rising temperatures of the day. Breeze blocks, are named so due to their lace-like structure that allows a breeze into the house. These blocks can cool down the house naturally and can be used to redirect breeze into certain areas for a stronger gust of wind.
10. Build around a Tree
You’ve undoubtedly seen a home constructed to accommodate an existing tree on the property. Whether for nostalgic, environmental, or protective reasons, building the home around the tree upon the homeowner’s request works well to integrate nature into your design. However, be sure to anticipate the tree’s growth in your measurements.