Nature lovers will likely be happy to bring the outdoors into their homes or offices to recreate the warmth and serenity they find there. But even those who aren’t as inclined to the outdoor life can benefit from the timeless charm of this type of decor, as wood and nature-inspired motifs can blend seamlessly with various design styles. The textures, colours, and natural imperfections commonly found in the materials sourced from one’s natural environment bring character and depth, and their presence can make a room feel both inviting and grounded.
If you’re planning to update your personal or professional space with the inclusion of nature-inspired materials and motifs, here are some practical tips from DROOL on how to approach this project with confidence:
1) Embrace the Beauty of Natural Wood
Using natural wood is one of the simplest ways to introduce an earthy vibe into your interiors. You can do this by opting for furniture pieces crafted from solid wood with visible grains, such as oak, walnut, or teak. Leaving the wood in its natural state or with a light finish allows its organic patterns to shine as it takes its place in your home or office.
For instance, you can add wooden beams, reclaimed wood panels, or live-edge tables to your space for a more dramatic effect. You can also highlight nature-inspired art prints and art posters on your walls and bring attention to these works of art with wooden frames.
Our art shop DROOL offers wooden frames that were carefully made from sustainably sourced, FCS-certified forest wood. These thin, contemporary frames come in natural, black, and white, and they feature lightweight glazes with UV protective qualities. Display these works of art and their wooden frames on your gallery walls to help your rooms feel warmer and more welcoming.
2) Use Earthy Colour Palettes
Nature-inspired decor thrives on earthy tones. Shades of green, brown, beige, and soft greys mimic the outdoors and complement wooden features beautifully. Knowing this, you can paint your walls in muted greens or taupes. It’s also an option to incorporate these colours through textiles like cushions, throws, and rugs. Layering different shades will also allow you to create depth and give a soothing, cohesive feel to your space.
3) Incorporate Botanical Elements
Bring plants indoors for a direct way to infuse your home with nature. Houseplants that can thrive indoors like ferns, succulents, and snake plants can add some much-needed greenery to an otherwise dull and inorganic space.
For a bolder statement, consider large potted plants like fiddle leaf figs or rubber plants. You can also use botanical prints on wallpapers, cushions, or artwork to introduce floral and leafy motifs to your rooms without overwhelming the atmosphere.
4) Mix Textures for Depth
Nature is rich in texture, and you can mirror this diversity within your interiors. This can be done by combining smooth wooden surfaces with items like woven baskets, jute rugs, and linen fabrics. Stone, clay, or ceramic accents can further enhance the organic feel of a space. This mix of textures can keep your living room, dining room, library, or office both visually interesting and tactilely engaging.
5) Highlight Natural Light
Maximising natural light is a practical way of enhancing the earthy ambience of your decor. To fully utilise the natural light sources in your rooms without sacrificing privacy, use sheer curtains. This material allows sunlight to filter through, brightening wooden tones and making greenery pop.
Mirrors can also be strategically placed to reflect light and create a more open, airy feel indoors. If you have indoor plants that thrive under a lot of sun, make sure to place them strategically around the room so that they can benefit from natural light while also enhancing the look of your space altogether.
6) Choose Nature-Inspired Art
Artwork featuring landscapes, wildlife, or botanical themes can reinforce your room’s connection to nature. If you want to highlight how nature inspired your interior decor, you can hang framed prints of serene forest scenes, abstract representations of natural forms, or even pressed flowers in glass frames in your room. Handmade art pieces and archival-standard art prints and posters from local up-and-coming artists will add authenticity and a personal touch to your decor.
7) Incorporate Natural Materials in Soft Furnishings
Beyond wood, look to natural fibres for your textiles. Linen, cotton, wool, and hemp all offer a soft, breathable quality that complements wooden elements. Cushion covers and curtains that are made from these materials can also help you maintain a cohesive, nature-inspired aesthetic. These neutral tones or subtle nature-themed patterns work best to keep a room looking understated, yet elegant.
8) Add Organic Shapes and Forms
Nature rarely adheres to straight lines and perfect symmetry. Keeping this in mind, you can happily incorporate organic shapes into your decor through the use of irregularly shaped mirrors and asymmetrical furniture designs. Curved sofas, round coffee tables, and undulating wall art can also help soften the rigid lines often found in modern interiors and help bring about a room that exhibits a relaxed, natural flow.
9) Incorporate Water Features
The sound of flowing water has a calming effect and can be a beautiful addition to nature-inspired interiors. If you have a tabletop water feature or an aquarium, they can feature in the nature-inspired room you are decorating. The gentle movement and sound of water can enhance tranquillity and connect your space to natural environments.
Whether you love being outdoors or simply appreciate what nature brings to your life, integrating wood and nature-inspired motifs into your home or office decor will have a beautiful effect on your living space. The motifs will foster a connection to the natural world, thereby creating an environment that feels both nurturing and aesthetically pleasing.
If you can thoughtfully incorporate these elements, your home or workspace can become a sanctuary that reflects the beauty and harmony of nature. Should you need nature-inspired art and quality frames to complete the look of your nature-inspired rooms, check out our collection at DROOL. Take our Art Finder Quiz today to quickly see works that resonate with you.
