Bring the Outdoors Inside

I would spend more time outdoors if the weather was always perfect and there was no chance of wind, sunburn or bugs. I know there are lots of people who brave the elements every day, and it doesn't seem to bother them, but for me the conditions have to be just right, and then it’s a pleasurable experience.

If, like me, you love Mother Nature and all her glory providing she’s out there and you’re in here, there are ways that we can reach a compromise.

Large windows are a bonus if you have them. Take every opportunity to pull back the curtains and make the garden view a part of your décor. French doors and sliding doors are another way of connecting the indoors and outdoors of your home.



If the view from your windows is not a very pleasant one, there are ways to rectify this. A trellis or arch adorned with vines or a vertical garden can improve the outlook.

Verandas and decks allow us to spend time outdoors while still being protected from the elements, but if we’re not fortunate enough to have or to afford these extensions, we can compromise with an outdoor umbrella or gazebo. These are cost-friendly and portable, so you have the added bonus of being able to set them up wherever you like in the garden.



Indoor plants are a great way to bring the outdoors inside, and studies have shown that there are numerous benefits from having plants in our homes. Plants purify the air, absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. They also increase the humidity in a room which is beneficial for our overall health.

We can be creative in how we incorporate plants into our homes. I have seen a living room with a huge Ficus tree in the corner beside the couch. It looked fantastic. I also visited a home where the owners had built a rockery in their entrance hall with plants and a moving water feature – not that I would have room for something like that in my tiny home, but it definitely gave a feeling of harmony with the outdoors.

We can cultivate a herb garden on a kitchen windowsill - a beautiful, fragrant and useful way to connect with nature.



If you don’t have space for a garden or are unable to care for one, the solution could be potted plants. These are easy-care and use minimal water. We can even grow an array of fruits and vegetables in pots.

There are lots of ways to be creative in bringing the outdoors into our homes. All it takes is a little research and imagination.


#home
#gardening
#mood
#comfort
#comfort_zone
#lifestyle
#appreciation


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