Back to Nature: How to Bring the Outside Inside

Now that vaccines are slowly being rolled out and COVID-19 cases are at least somewhat starting to level off in our communities, the hope of finally getting back outside is burning a little brighter. And there’s never been a better time with spring and summer peeking over our shoulders. However, despite the fact we’re in a better spot than we were six months or a year ago, there’s still plenty of work to be done before we can return to our uninterrupted lives and enjoy the freedom we once did. Social distancing and common-sense precautions remain as crucial as ever, which is why we should still be sticking close to home.

Disappointed? Yeah, we’re all in the same boat, especially with all this gorgeous weather making us stir-crazy while looking out our windows. The longing for nature is real, especially for folks who live far from hiking trails or simply don’t have the resources needed to explore the great outdoors in a safe way right now. Luckily, there are a few things that can help make it better. Keep reading for four ideas that’ll bring the outside inside. 

1. Embrace Indoor Plants

For those who truly have the itch to be one with nature, there’s no easier way to soothe that than by buying a few indoor plants or growing your own from seeds! Not only will this help you feel more connected to the natural world, but it’ll also provide cleaner air and a much-needed splash of color and life within your home’s walls – perfect for making the dreary realities of staying COVID-safe a little more bearable. 

There are a ton of different plants to choose from, each with their own difficulty level, best care practices, and safety levels. Be sure to do your research and pick something that fits nicely into your life, and double-check any warnings if you have pets or small children who’re hellbent on munching a few leaves. 

Don’t have the greatest green thumb? Don’t worry – there are plenty of easy-to-maintain options out there. Some can even live in water like the Pothos plant, making it ideal for forgetful plant parents who’d otherwise completely forget to water the poor thing. Want something a little different? Here are another few great choices that even the worst repeat plant-killers might get the hang of:

• Aglaonema
• Jade plant
• Spider plant
• English ivy
• Bromeliad

 2. Start Your Own Garden

While the cacti killers and otherwise green-thumb-less are busy with their indoor plants, those who know what they’re doing can take things a little further to green-up their daily routines, and that’s to start a garden! That might sound like an extensive undertaking, but it truly is flexible. You can make it as involved or as simple as you want it. 

Need something that doesn’t require too much time or yardwork? You can keep things small with a basic indoor or patio garden. Really want to get your hands dirty and cultivate something that’ll only get better over the years? You can’t go wrong with turning all that unused yard space into a certified oasis. It’s entirely up to you.

Although, if you’re a complete newbie to growing things, you might want to maintain a smaller scale at first. For beginner indoor gardens, herbs are a particularly great start. But should you figure out your way around soil and seeds, there’s nothing more satisfying than producing your own food. As long as you’ve got sufficient knowledge, light, warmth, and water, you can experiment with fruits and veggies to your heart’s content. 

3. Incorporate Nature into Your Home Décor

The plant-y stuff is all well and good, but sometimes you crave your nature with – well – a bit less dirt. Trust us; we get it. Thankfully, you can still bring nature into your home with some smart design and a few special touches that you’ve probably already got on hand.  

The key is to focus on natural décor that’s both meaningful to you and aesthetically pleasing. This creates the most balance and will leave your domicile feeling infinitely cozier, comfier, and more connected to the world outside its many walls. “Found” outside objects are wonderful here, particularly ones that are found by those you love or are connected to a happy/special memory. 

For example: did your kids hunt down some seashells on your last family vacation? Can you track down some pinecones that remind you of your dad’s love for the forest? Find a feather that reminds you of a pet bird? All of these are ideal for incorporating into your home’s decorations. Just get a nice display jar, bowl, or shelf and arrange everything in a way that looks nice to you. It doesn’t have to be anything overly fancy. You don’t even have to use found objects. Store-bought is equally as good. 

4. Opt for Natural Clothing and Accessories

Changing up our homes and living spaces are easy ways to embrace the outdoors when we’re still stuck inside, but there are ways to keep nature even closer to us. How’s that? By incorporating it into our clothing and accessory choices! Choosing eco-friendly clothes that make you feel more connected to a healthy natural world or clothes with natural prints is a fantastic place to begin and is easier than ever. With so many brands finally taking sustainability seriously, you have near limitless choices.

As for accessories, you can still adhere to the same principles, sticking close to those that utilize natural, environmentally conscious materials, less wasteful production practices, and designs that don’t shy away from looking the part. Although, you may find your jewelry and other accessory options slightly more limited than you’d expect since the industry’s still playing catch-up with people’s more eco-friendly attitudes. 

But this is where Urban Designer comes in. UD seeks to fill in this gap and provide more natural accessories that look great, feel great, and won’t break the bank. Wood watches and wooden rings are the main stars of the show, but the catalog is growing by the day. Necklaces, earrings, and more have also been given the natural treatment, making it a nearly one-stop shop for all your jewelry needs. A small thing to be sure, but you’d be surprised how much more connected to the Earth you’ll feel just by changing up your accessories.