Wanting to create a nature-inspired kitchen? Bringing a bit of nature into your kitchen will give it a more modern approach. You’ll no longer see it as that greasy place in the house that smells of all kinds of foods, but a natural place that could easily become a focal gathering point. Now, how do you allow more nature into this place? By just incorporating these five essentials, you can create a peaceful kitchen that feels like being outdoors right in your home.
- Natural light is a must
Natural light is critical when you need to let nature in. It’s natural, after all. Furthermore, it provides a calming effect as it illuminates the space. As if all these were not enough, natural light is free and looks much better than artificial light.
Even on a rainy day, letting natural light in will enhance your mood. Based on the layout of your kitchen, you may not have too many options, so you’ll need to play with what you already have. Remove some of the things covering windows, such as plants or decorations. Simply place them elsewhere.
To let lots of natural light into your kitchen, use thin curtains or blinds that soften the light. Put your kitchen work areas, like counters or sinks, close to windows to get as much natural light as possible.
Apart from that, you can also use mirrors, light paint on the walls, and shiny surfaces to bounce sunlight all over the room. This will make your kitchen look more cheerful and inviting. If you are redesigning the kitchen from scratch, you should give it a more open space appearance as well.
- Incorporate greenery
This is by far one of the easiest ways to add more nature to your kitchen, and your options are quite varied. You can add pots and plants around the kitchen, but remember, you’ll have to look after them as well. The artificial alternative is more convenient, yet that plastic will also need wiping sometimes.
Going down the artificial path will give you more options in terms of style and design. For example, growing a natural wall panel indoors would be a serious challenge, nearly impossible. But you can always find and install artificial green wall panels, which are just as good looking.
It doesn’t mean everything has to be artificial, though. You can also have a few natural pots here and there, but the artificial approach gives you more possibilities for large pieces, such as walls.
- Wood is a must
Natural wood is an excellent, yet simple and cost effective way to add nature to your kitchen. It makes no difference what you go for. You could have some bamboo utensils displayed nicely on a rack. You can also have bamboo decorations all over the kitchen. They can be modern, but also traditional.
Some would go even further, especially while redesigning the kitchen. For example, you could have kitchen cabinets to display stunning wood grains, but this isn’t always an option in a modern and minimalist kitchen.
Even if a full wood renovation isn’t in your budget, consider adding wooden accents. Think about wooden shelves, bar stools, or even a wooden fruit bowl to add that touch of nature effortlessly. From many points of view, wooden elements are the best option, rather than big pieces.
- How about some stones?
Stone is another natural element that will give your kitchen a beautiful appearance. In other words, it’s not all about wood and greenery. You can add a bit of stone to the splashback, but you can also have an accent wall or perhaps natural stone flooring.
You can install stone countertops like granite, marble, or quartz to add beauty and functionality to your kitchen. They are relatively low-maintenance but do require some care. Ensure you seal them properly to avoid staining, and use non-abrasive cleaners to maintain their natural luster.
If you have a rustic home, you can forget about stone and use bricks instead. They’re not really natural, but they’re often associated with a rustic and traditional appearance.
- Replace curtains with grasscloth
Whether you have heavy curtains or no curtains at all, replacing them with grasscloth is an excellent idea. Even if you have natural cotton curtains to protect windows, they still can’t compare to natural grasscloth in terms of appearance and feel.
Often used as wallpaper, this material brings in an organic and warm texture. Stick to neutral colours.
In the end, bringing nature into your home has something to do with nature, of course, whether you’re looking for natural materials for decorations or just colours that scream nature, such as green. Small details often make the difference, meaning you don’t need to overspend or overcrowd the space.
