Indoor Styling and How to Bring the Outside in

1. Indoor Styling and How to Bring the Outside in With most of us spending more time at home this year, bringing the outside in has been an increasingly popular trend. The natural outdoor elements, like the blue sky, iridescent earth, fresh water, all have a natural appeal to us. As humans, we enjoy being surrounded by these elements, they make us feel calm, at one with the earth; free. As well as travel restrictions and lockdowns, for those of us living in big cities, we can often feel disconnected from the natural world. But how do we bring these outdoor elements into our homes? Following these simple steps will help you make the most of your space.

2. Start by choosing an earthy colour scheme. This year I took the time to renovate parts of my home as the space began to feel tedious, and my bedroom walls almost claustrophobic. If I couldn't live in the middle of nature, I was determined to find ways to bring it inside. I went for the obvious choice; green. The primary colour of nature, the colour of the earth, and of growth, it made the most sense for me. I went all out and used different tones of greens on my walls, window coverings, bedding and general home decor but just adding splashes of colour like a green chair or side table is effective. If green doesn't appeal to you, you could also go for blue, the colour of tranquility, water and the sky. Try a light blue headboard, deep blue drapes or a painted vase. Sunny decor can help bring positivity and joy; try yellows and oranges for a new sense of freshness. If you're more of a minimalist and crave simplicity from your indoor space, then why not opt for neutral tones such as whites and beiges? Neutrals make your interiors feel clean and natural. Another obvious way of including nature in your home decor is to bring plants inside. Once again, I very enthusiastically began placing them everywhere I could, including the bathroom. Three hanging plants, six cacti in varying sizes, two succulents, and one tall philodendron named Gino later and I began feeling closer to nature. Every plant will have its own individual needs, so make sure to do your research. Choosing plants that thrive in humid environments for the bathroom and air purifying ones (like Gino!) for the bedroom is a good place to start. Bringing in materials such as stone, wood, wicker and rattan, which are normally found outdoors or inspired by nature and making them a part of your interior decor is another great idea. Baskets, rugs, and lampshades in these materials or textures will bring the outdoors into your relaxing space. Finally, let the natural light in. A bright home with plenty of sunlight will definitely lift your spirits (it's also free and your new plant friends will love you for it). I replaced my heavy curtains with a light linen fabric which brightened my mood instantly. Start inviting natural light into your home and witness how the outdoors pours in. Contact Us: Sweet Needle Industries Ltd. Unit 1, 11 Batsworth Road, Mitcham, London, CR4 3BX, U.K. Web: www.sweetneedle.co.uk