Ways to bring nature into your urban home

As the economy reopens, workers are now returning to city centers and to their offices after two years of reporting mostly from their hometowns, beaches and other suburban settings.

Many of them would have to return to the concrete jungle where—let’s face it—there are very limited areas where you can enjoy lush green spaces and nature-bound experiences. They must say goodbye to the wide open spaces and other green features that have since helped their health and well-being. Fortunately, there are many creative ways to integrate elements of nature into your urban home. With these tips, you can still have the next best thing.

Create a living wall

Add a living wall to your home. (vantagespaces.co.uk)

If circumstances have honed you into a plantito/tita, don’t let your new and beneficial habit die with the urbanity all around you. Look for a wall, perhaps near a window, that could benefit from a renovation. Place a shelf that can hold your potted plants. With this addition, you will receive all the benefits that go with gardening and greenery—all while you stay in the city. If this option feels too abrupt for you, try plant shelves and rails.

Harness the power of patterns

Some people just don’t have enough space for bigger installations. If that’s the case, just add elements that help you visualize relaxing experiences amid nature—fixtures that show foliage, sofas with floral-themed upholstery, paintings that show the sea or the forest, even lighting that resembles sunlight in the morning and maybe moonlight in the evening. Artistic directions abound.

Pick tactile textures

(paradyz.com)

Wish to engage more senses? Get creative with the things your hands and feet and skin can feel while you move about in your space. Integrate materials and surfaces that remind your sense of touch of the outside world. Add some wicker furniture and floor tiles made of wood. If you have a little more savings, integrate stones and rocks in the bathroom finishes or up the ante in your kitchen with marble countertops. These textures definitely bring warmth and character to your home.

Improve your accessories

Incorporate lamps carved from marble or rock salt. (cb2.com)

Don’t fret if you are on a tighter budget. There are ways to get nature in without those more drastic additions. Just discern what you can add to the décor. House plants will work, but make sure to pick those you can commit to. Incorporate lamps carved from marble or rock salt. Try those inspired by themes of nature (some even make sounds, like chirping birds or waves crashing ashore). Consider figurines that remind you of nature, or something more bohemian like rocks and crystals in a basket.

Engage with odors

A spritz of a certain perfume can take you down memory lane or conjure up visions of pleasing settings. That’s also how aromatherapy works. Aromas facilitate relaxation by reminding you of nicer things. Many items can help you introduce natural scents to your urban home, especially if you want to counter the attendant smells of the city. Purchase an air freshener, or go further and buy a humidifier that uses essential oils. For those who want to get a more authentic experience, grow naturally fragrant plants or regularly order fragrant flowers to put in a vase.