It’s almost impossible to overstate how beneficial nature is for our wellbeing. It enthrals the senses, sparks the imagination, reduces anxiety, and induces calm. Having a view of the outdoors from your home, whether it’s a body of water, a garden, or even just a tree, is a reliable booster of happiness and productivity.

Filling an interior with plants also has salutary effects, not only because plants cleanse the air and are beautiful to look at but also because the very act of nurturing and caring for them is so life-affirming.
Homes with spaces open to the outdoors, such as balconies, verandahs, loggias, or porches, have a direct connection to the outside world. These open-air ‘rooms’ are particularly beneficial for people who work from home. If your outdoor room is covered with a roof, focus on air quality. Incorporate overhead fans, and make sure the space is open on two sides to take advantage of breezes and keep the air moving.

In addition to viewing nature from your windows or your open-air spaces and having rooms full of house plants, there are less obvious ways to make you feel connected to nature. Use organic materials such as wood for flooring and furniture, instead of plastic or laminate. Bring the outside in by creating a fireplace surround out of stacked boulders. Consider adding rough-hewn timber beams to support a high ceiling.

For homes that have no views of greenery, earth tones and blues and greens – the colours of the sea, the sky, and foliage– bring nature inside and have a soothing effect. Keep it subtle. Opt for fabrics and textures that evoke nature such as moss-like chenille, twisted rattan, hemp, linen, cotton, leather, sisal, and more.

containers of varying shapes add a tailored element that complements the crisply lined black-and-white furniture.
Beautiful, floral-patterned wallpaper and fabric also help to bring the outdoors in. Introduce natural scents that summon up memories of favourite flowers, walks through the woods, or beach vacations. Amass found pieces of natural beauty such as shells or pinecones on tables or shelves. Even things that are not inherently beautiful make a statement when grouped.

If you have a garden, you can simultaneously derive health benefits from it and contribute to the wellbeing of the planet. Cultivate wildlife-friendly gardens with water features, and avoid chemical pesticides. Opt for sustainable, preferably native plants and wild grasses that are hardy and require little attention. Avoid varieties that don’t thrive in your part of the world. Cover an arbour or pergola with deciduous vines such as creeping hydrangea to create a perfect refuge for summer dining.

This is an edited extract of ‘Natural Living by Design’ by Melissa Penfold, published by The Vendome Press, available from Dymocks for $69.99.