When I took time off in London it was to get away to the countryside where I grew up. Spend some quality time with my family and relax in the clean air. This added a massive distance between me and the urban lifestyle I was living in the city. Every time I returned home to the countryside, the air seemed purer and fresher every time.
I think we all secretly share the same fascination for activities that brings us closer to nature. When you’re so busy living an urban / city lifestyle, nature becomes an aspiration. Car fumes, grey / dark buildings and only pigeons for wildlife – it is easy to understand why this is the case. Eventually the desire to surround yourself with lush greenery and listen to the birds act like a remedy against city life.
So how can we introduce some well needed greenery and nature into our homes? The obvious way is through adding plants to your home. There are, however some other interesting avenues you can follow…
Potted Plants
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If you live in a flat like I did, I found there weren’t a lot of options for me to surround myself with nature or greenery… There were a few parks nearby but sometimes walking through the noise and pollution to get there didn’t always seem worth it!
The easiest way to introduce some greenery to your home (or home from home), is of course to add some plants. If you’re worries about what your landlord might say about making improvements to where you live, this shouldn’t cause any upset. Plants contribute to the creation of a relaxing and restful atmosphere which can help you let go of every day stress.
With the pollutants outside – they can always find their way into your home – particularly in the summer months. This makes the air inside your home just as harmful as the air in town. Houseplants can purify the air and remove harmful toxins in the process so this is something I always recommend to my clients! In the living room, consider adding a touch of colour and scent with a potted citrus fruit tree or add some aloe vera to your bathroom. For the kitchen – a window ill full of fresh herbs not only taste fabulous but look great too!
Natural Fabrics & Materials
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I agree, there is more to nature than just the odd potted plant… By choosing to add natural fabrics to your decor that actively help to reduce the presence of toxins, you’re being environmentally aware and conscious of the comfort at the same time. Some indoor air pollutants originate primarily from some furniture that contain plastic, plywood and other artificial materials. Make a conscious effort to select nature-friendly items so to reduce the risk of developing health conditions.
Did you know that memory foam mattresses could pollute the air? Here’s everything you need to know about latex mattresses, a natural alternative. Latex is a natural fibre which makes it healthy to use in your bedroom. Likewise, regardless of how cheap plywood furniture may be, try to choose natural wood pieces instead.
Natural Colour Palette
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The beauty of surrounding yourself with nature is ultimately the natural colours. A variety of greens, earthy tones mixed with vibrant colours from flowers. The problem with modern homes these days is that they often come with a very limited palette of wall colour – magnolia being the favourite. You can however add some interest to this with cream and ivory shades.
You can transform the ambience of any room by adding some natural shades to the decor. Check out everything you need to know about nature palettes for your home here. It’s surprisingly easy to transform an all-white home into a bright and bold oasis.
The Senses
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There are a wide variety of smells which we associate with the outdoors; flowers, sandalwood and oakmoss. Of course candles and diffusers may not come close to the real thing, but with a little DIY magic you can actually recreate natural scents that take you back to your favourite woodland. The scents associated with a fresh smelling home are definitely lemon, rosemary and lavender.
Whilst we’re on the note of making our own and clearing out artificial elements in the home, household cleaning products should be on the list as well. You can actually make your own window cleaner using white vinegar, cornstarch and warm water. Chemical products are easy to replace with a variety of oils and you’ll soon notice a difference to the quality of air in your home – no more chemical-related toxins!
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As always, you may only need to add a fresh coat of paint to your home to dramatically transform the setting which is a great cost effective solution.
I hope this post has inspired you to do some more research into making your home a natural one! Are there any home remedies that you swear by to keep the air fresh indoors? Share below in the comments section.
See you soon!
Jessica xo
