Ways to bring the outdoors inside

After a long day, all we want is to come home to a sanctuary and one way to achieve that is to bring the outdoors, inside. Mike Greeff, CEO of Greeff Christie's International Real Estate says that ''with the ever-growing focus on sustainability and the importance of living green, it's no surprise that there's an increased interest in making our homes reflect the outdoors''. Whether you're looking for big and bold print or you have an affinity for minimalism, there is a way to bring nature inside. Below, you will find a myriad of ways to turn your indoor space into an ode to an outdoor oasis and embrace all mother nature has to offer.

1. Cultivate a living wall

There is nothing like the serenity of a lush garden and that space can be easily translated indoors. Create your own living wall by hanging up a variety of ceramic pots filled with your favourite plants and you can instantly bring the greenery of the garden inside.

Tip: Purchase a slab of emerald green moss to create an instant accent wall.

2. Concentrate on using earthy tones and textures

For a space reminiscent of the outdoors, find textiles and accent pieces that mimic nature's colours and patterns. For example, use a wood slab coffee table as an accent piece or a slate-stone countertop can be a chic, yet refined way of embracing organic elements.

Tones to consider:

Use the colours below for your walls, curtains, bedding, and decor.

• Greens - earth, grass and plants
• Blues - water and the sky
• Yellows - a sense of freshness, like the sun and fresh flowers
• Neutral tones such as whites, tans and beiges - these shades make interiors feel natural and clean.

Textures to consider:

• Wicker
• Rattan
• Hemp
• Jute
• Wood
• Cork
• Bamboo

3. Let the sunshine, in

We can't always choose the layout of our homes, but we can pay more attention to areas that allow for some extra light. If you do not have a designated sunroom, consider placing a comfortable chair or chaise in front of your most north-facing window to allow for optimal vitamin D. Another thing to consider is to replace heavy curtains with lighter fabrics to allow for maximum sunlight.

4. Pick a room

If you would like to bring the outdoors inside but you don't want to redo your entire home, start off with one room. Choosing the bathroom, for example, is an easy way to experiment with new trends without dealing with the cost and time of redoing a master bedroom or a living room. You can place one or two pot plants on the bathtub rim or embellish with tropical print wallpapers. You can even hang art that reflects the blue ocean or tranquil forest.

5. Take time to smell the roses

Bring nature inside through the sense of smell. Natural scented candles will not only take your mind to the wilderness but will also make you feel calm and grounded. Candles have a way of creating a relaxing atmosphere even when they are not lit. They have the power to put you at ease and by breathing in its soothing essential oils and natural fragrances, your home becomes an instant sanctuary.

With our busy lives, and almost everything being chemical based, it's essential that we take time to appreciate the beauty of nature. Since it's seldom that we get a chance to enjoy the outdoors, coming home to a nature-filled oasis can be very beneficial. Having some of the outdoors inside is not only good for our wellbeing and psyche, but it adds that extra bit of je ne sais quoi to our homes.