When most people think of interior design, they only think about what a home's interiors look like. But there's so much more to interior design than looks alone, especially when adding an outdoor element in the mix. In fact, true interior design should be able to translate to all five of your senses... Yes, sight, smell, sound, touch, and taste all play its own unique role in the world of interior design whether you want to believe it or not.
If you're looking to incorporate that outdoor element to the interiors of your home, don't just bring flowers in your home because they look nice... Take your home's design to the next level by allowing it to speak to all five of your senses; You'll be amazed at just how much your home can come to life in doing so.
Outdoor Interior Design Elements That Tickle the Five Senses
Sight
Sight is going to be the easiest way to incorporate outdoor elements into your home's interior design style. With sight, it can be natural things from outside like plants, flowers, or wood. You can incorporate these elements in things like artwork, and even wallpaper.
Maybe you love the beach... What better way to escape to the beach than with a beautiful painting or portrait? Wallpaper is a great way to enhance any living space and can create an illusion of outdoor elements. For example, maybe you find floral wallpaper that goes perfectly with your bedspread... There's even wall paper that resembles wood, brick, and even stone to create a beautiful outdoor accent wall in your home.
Smell
The scent of your home doesn't require any of the other senses. Whether you bring fresh flowers in from your graden or put a few drops of essential oils in a diffuser to create the fresh scent of the outdoors, it all complements the vibe and feel of your home you're going for.
One thing about bringing plants in your home is the fact that they not only enhance the beauty of any room but they also enhance the indoor air quality of your home. All too often we run our thermostats on full blast to keep our indoor temperatures warm or cool (which also runs our electric bill up), but in the process of running our heating and cooling units, we're also recirculating dirty air.
With the addition of plants in your home, you're able to breathe cleaner air because plants purify the air in your home, not to mention they help lower your electric bill as well. True enough, you can switch to Power Setter for lower utility rates but house plants will also help in lowering that bill and make your home smell fresh!
Sound
When most people want to escape to nature, they oftentimes do that because they want to experience the sweet sounds of nature. Hearing nature can be anything from rain or birds chirping to the sound of wind or ocean waves. But the cool thing about sounds of nature is that you don't have to physically be in nature to experience it.
Whether you hop on YouTube or download a calming sounds app, you can bring the sound of the outdoors in your home to create a calming and relaxing environment. In fact, the calming sounds of nature have been known to improve health. It helps lower blood pressure and stress. So the next time you feel yourself getting a little overwhelmed, get back to nature.
Taste
You might be wondering how taste plays a role in interior design... Well, it certainly doesn't involve eating pillows! With taste, maybe you have a vegetable or herb garden. By bringing those plants in and keeping them in a jar or sitting them in a basket to use when you're ready, they will not only enhance the look of your kitchen or dining area but they will taste so fresh once you cook or eat them.
Fresh foods from your garden are also great conversation starters as well. Visitors will be amazed at your beautiful fruits and veggies you grew.
Touch
With touch, it's going to be all about texture and how things feel. Maybe you want to update your fireplace to brick or create an accent wall of shiplap... Those rough and rugged surface design elements will add a ton of depth and character to any room.
But then you also can't forget about the soft textures as well. Things like wool, fur (faux fur), and leather are great ways to soften a room and create warmth. You can incorporate these textures through throw blankets, accent pillows, rugs, and even curtains.
Bringing the outdoors indoors isn't hard to do at all, and can actually create a unique design element to your home as well, all while tickling all five of your senses.