At last, the days are getting longer and signs of spring are in the air. At this time of year the garden and the countryside surrounding my little piece of paradise in the English countryside are beginning to come to life- snowdrops are blooming, daffodils are on sale in the shops and it won't be long before the first lambs are bouncing around in the fields.
If you love nature you might want to follow a lovely design trend and make your indoors feel more like the outdoors. Here are some top tips to help you do precisely this.
Make the most of natural timber
There’s certainly no shortage of materials out there for you to make the most of your property. You can choose anything from shiny plastics to brushed metals. However, if it’s the natural look you’re after, you can't beat solid timber.
Present all around us in gardens, parks, forests and elsewhere, wood instantly evokes a sense of the outdoors. Kitchens are especially well suited to this ancient building material and there are now a host of solid wood oak kitchens and other similar products on offer. You can invest in timber cabinets, worktops, floors and more. I have used old battered scaffold boards as shelves in my kitchen and love the rustic look they give, showing off my vintage bits and pieces beautifully.
Wood can also look great elsewhere around your home. For example, an impressive timber table can make the ideal centrepiece in a dining room, and solid wood bookcases look superb in lounges, hallways and other areas.
My clever husband made doors from old wood instantly and cheaply giving our 1950s ex-council house a farmhouse feel.
Introduce plenty of plants
Plenty of plants are a must if you’re to celebrate the outdoors in style. Place pot plants in the corners of rooms to add character to these often unused spaces. Meanwhile, hanging plants can look great draped over mantelpieces and shelves. You might also want to introduce a herb garden to your kitchen- pretty, aromatic and useful!
Just make sure that you select plants that are suited to the conditions in your home. Before you buy them, check how much sunlight and shade they need, and whether they prefer warm or cold conditions. Also, be sure to water them according to the instructions, otherwise your property might rapidly be transformed into a plant mausoleum.
Choose the right hues
Your colour scheme should celebrate nature too. Greens, blues and yellows all evoke feelings of being outside. However, these colours should be used with care. If you go too bright, you risk overwhelming your rooms. For this reason, it may be best to opt for muted tones.
Break down barriers
Don’t just focus on the inside of your home; celebrate what’s on the outside too. You can do this by minimising your window dressings to ensure you have the best possible views of your surroundings. If you’re lucky enough to have the option, you may also want to incorporate French windows into areas like your kitchen or living room. I love the view from our French windows through to the fields behind our home, no matter what the season.
By following simple suggestions like these, you can transform your property and mark the changing of the seasons in style.
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