Many of us have a dream of reconnecting with our roots–of living among nature as our ancestors did. We love the sound of rushing rivers, the creaking of pines in the wind, of the distant call of a woodpecker. We love the feeling of cool, mountain air and the crushing of leaves under our feet, but we also love modern amenities like gas stoves and flushing toilets. The challenge that we face is finding a way to combine the two in a way that allows us to feel fully immersed in nature without having to sacrifice comfort.
Creating a Biophilic Home
The concept of biophilic design is intended to integrate more natural elements into the modern home, reconnecting people with nature. Adding biophilic elements into your home can actually help to reduce stress and improve your mental wellbeing. An easy way to begin building your biophilic space is to add more plants into your home, but the idea of the design concept stretches further than this.
You should also try to introduce more natural light into your living space. Consider getting rid of your old, dusty curtains or blinds. If you don’t want to sacrifice your privacy to gain more natural light, then you could always add translucent static cling treatments to your windows to let in as much light as possible while preventing any curious eyes from wandering into your home. Adding clings can also protect against UV rays and assist in your home’s heat control, saving you money in the long run. There are plenty of different designs to choose from when selecting cling treatments–some even cast fun rainbow effects onto your floors–so you’re guaranteed to find something that fits your style.
Integrate more naturally occurring colors and elements into your design choices, using different shades of greens and browns and adding more natural wood furniture pieces to create a more organic feel in your home. Also, consider adding more botanical-themed artwork that includes ferns or pressed flowers.
Update Your Outdoor Space to Fit Your Needs
This might seem like a no-brainer when trying to reconnect with nature, but it’s important to build an outdoor space that actually makes you want to spend time outside. A good place to start with this is by creating a designated hangout space–either a deck or a patio–that you can customize to make your own. Select comfortable furniture that fits in with your outdoor style goals. Consider adding elements that increase your outdoor area’s functionality as an entertainment space, such as a grill or a firepit, that way you can invite some friends over and enjoy nature together.
Your outdoor decor can be just as important as furniture and amenities when it comes to the enjoyment of your space. To help enhance the atmosphere, consider adding some plants around your outdoor space, like containers of herbs, or a cactus garden if you live in a warm enough climate. Another popular choice for outdoor decor is fun lighting. Setting up a few posts and running a strand of outdoor edison bulbs around the border of your deck or patio is an easy and stylish way to brighten up your outdoor space–literally! The more comfortable and inviting your space feels, the more time you’re likely to spend enjoying it, taking in all of the wonderful natural elements of your own backyard.
Invest in a Home Away From Home
While there are many ways to bring nature into your living space, nothing compares to having your own escape into the great outdoors. With the real estate market inflating so rapidly, looking to buy a move-in-ready cabin in the woods might not be the most financially realistic option for getting your nature fix.
Park model cabins are a surprisingly affordable and flexible way to have your own little slice of nature. Park model cabins, like mobile homes, are built on wheels, so you can set them anywhere with hookups–whether you want to purchase your own piece of property in the woods and install hookups, or move your park model cabin onto a campground for the summer–and move it to a different neck of the woods if you need a change of scenery. Some park model cabins come move-in ready, complete with furniture, so all you have to worry about is adding the final decorating touches to make it your own before settling in and enjoying your escape into the serenity of nature.
To further enhance your connection with nature, consider immersing yourself in the soothing melodies of songs that celebrate its beauty and serenity. A collection of songs about nature can evoke powerful emotions and deepen your appreciation for the natural world. Whether it’s the gentle rustle of leaves in the wind or the symphony of birdsong at dawn, these songs capture the essence of the great outdoors and offer a musical journey through its wonders.