Past studies have shown that exposure to nature is good for our physiological and psychological wellbeing. With that proven multiple times over, many modern-day interior designers recommend incorporating nature in your home design. To achieve this, the experts recommend creating home designs that:
- Utilise the warming daylight and cooling breezes.
- Feature scenic views of trees, mountains, hills, and bodies of water.
- Make use of earthy building materials like timber, clay and natural stone.
- Exude the beauty of the sea, forest, animals, plants, flowers and skies.
Here at Linwood, we can help customers achieve nature-inspired interiors using our fabrics and wallpapers. We have collections with floral, botanical, scenic, and animal patterns that you can quickly embrace when you style your own home.
Here are some of our favourites
Fabrics used: cushions: Butterfly Palm in Electric, Lago, and Maize; sofa: Omega Prints in Arboreal Dusk; curtain: Kahanu in Nocturne
Wallpaper used: bathroom: Golden Eye; bedroom: Miji in Navy; sitting room: Bamboo Garden in Navy
Why add these nature patterns to your home design?
If there’s one thing that the last two years have taught us, it’s the importance of nature to our health and wellbeing. Incorporating these nature-inspired fabric and wallpapers add a touch of wonder and bring the beauty of the physical world to our homes.
There is a science behind this. Humans have an intuitive and innate ability to recognise these earthy patterns and designs. Our brain can perceive them even in a constructed environment. These patterns and designs can reduce one’s stress levels and make home interiors feel more welcoming and comfortable too.
It is no wonder that the online search for nature-inspired wallpapers and fabrics has surged over the past months with those priceless benefits.
Wallpapers used: entryway: The Wave in Ocean; bathroom: Rainforest Rabble in Powder Blue; stairwell: Aesop in Green
How to use nature patterns in your home design
It is fun to play with nature's patterns. At Linwood, we offer so many nature-inspired fabrics, cushions, and wallpaper options; you can easily find one (or many) that you love to accessorise your home.
Here are some tips to help you successfully introduce these patterns to your home:
Try not to overdo it
Not everything in the room needs to have a pattern. Instead, use patterns to help something stand out. This patterned upholstered sofa stands out against the walls covered with Rumi wallpaper. The mystical smoky mountain patterns of the wall work harmoniously with the ornate design.
Combine patterns like a pro
Nature patterns can potentially clash with each other if both are too busy and compete for attention, so consider this when combining them. Here, the bold and colourful Jungle Jive Velvet fabric used on the chair offset the monochrome pattern introduced by the floor-to-ceiling drapery. The result is beautiful and striking.
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Select the pattern based on interior styling
Decorating with a nature pattern that matches the interior styling is always a hit. For example, the Wave cushion in Mineral is perfect for lovers of coastal style. Florals and botanicals, on the other hand, suit both contemporary and traditional interiors, as shown in this blind surrounded by classic panelling.
Follow your colour palette
Colour consistency is essential. Select patterns that are harmonious in terms of the chosen palette and depth of colour.
Remember these as well:
- Pastel toned patterns go well with pastel walls.
- Bold and lively colour patterns look great against vibrant walls (e.g., this Belleville Miji fabric in Tomato against an orange wall creates the ultimate Maximalist aesthetic for those who are not afraid of bold colour.)
- Keep the number of colour variations less than ten, ideally three to five. Colour combinations always look best in an odd number.
Be mindful of the scale and proportion
Lastly, consider the scale of the nature pattern before applying it. Use a large-scale pattern for the room’s focal point (such as a bedhead), then introduce a small-scale pattern for another element such as a cushion. There is less visual interest, and the prints will compete if they are the same scale.
We hope we inspired to think about using nature-patterned fabrics and wallpapers the next time you decorate your home.
Charlene Gonzales is a design writer from Superdraft, a project coordination platform that helps customers plan, design and build their dream space. You can view more of her educational and informative blog pieces to help you plan your renovation or new home build here.