When we think of interior design and décor, most of us contemplate the aesthetics, or how the home will appear to the eye. We’re missing the boat, according to Dr. Sally Augustin and Dr. David Fell of FP Innovations. Incorporating certain outdoor elements in our décor can improve our health and mental well-being, they claim. Moreover, even though we live in the Pacific Northwest, where gorgeous natural settings abound, sometimes we don’t get out as much as we’d like. So adding a pop of nature to our homes is a way bring the outdoors inside.
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Take Advantage of Natural Light: While heavy draperies help insulate homes from winter and summer weather extremes, keeping them open and allowing the sunlight to stream in has health benefits. Research links exposure to natural light to an elevation in mood, weight loss, and other positive health outcomes, according to Augustin and Fell.
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Bring the Outdoors Indoors: According to the EPA, the air inside our homes may be more polluted than outdoor air. Carbon monoxide is one of the most common toxins in the air in our homes, and formaldehyde and benzene are emitted from carpet and furniture. Pesticides, cleaners, and other household products also leave toxins in the air. Using plants to rid the air in our homes of these health hazards is a process known as phytoremediation. NASA performed studies of indoor air in space stations and came up with a list of different types of plants that can remove the various toxins in the air. Flowering plants, for instance, remove benzene from the air. So consider growing gerbera daisies or chrysanthemums in the home. Concerned about formaldehyde? Pot up some golden pothos, philodendron, and spider plants and place them throughout the home. NASA recommends 15 to 18 plants (in 6- to 8-inch containers) per 1,800 square feet of living space.
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The Sound of Water: The sound of water soothes and relaxes us. “Studies indicate that being in a coastal or marine setting causes a six point increase on the 100-point happiness scale compared with urban settings,” according to Zachary Slobig, writing in Psychology Today. If you don’t live near a body of water, you can still derive the benefits of the sound of water by incorporating water features in your home’s interior decorating.
In conclusion, it is well known that being in nature helps us heal, relax, and restore. What is becoming better known is that bringing the elements of nature indoors provides many of the same benefits.
(Editor’s Note: Jean works for More Realty, one of our newest advertisers. See her ad below.)