Bring the beauty of nature into your home with decor from the forest and sea. Natural materials like wood, shells, stones, and plants can create a relaxing, earthy atmosphere. Here are some ideas for incorporating forest and ocean motifs into your decor.
Woodsy Accents
Wood is a classic natural material that never goes out of style. Here are some ways to use it in home decor:
Rustic Furniture
Furniture made from raw, unfinished wood has a cozy, cabin-like feel. Look for solid wood chairs, tables, beds, and dressers. Distressed finishes and imperfections add character. Stack wood crates or trunks to use as side tables.
Wood Wall Decor
Hang up wooden signs or plaques with inspirational quotes or your family name. Use repurposed wood boards to display photos or art. Install wood paneling or shiplap walls for a rustic look.
Natural Textures
Bring in natural wooden textures with woven baskets, tree stump stools, bark vases, or wood slice coasters. Try framing and displaying pinecones, acorns, or fallen branches on a mantel or shelf.
Ocean Vibes
The colors and textures of the sea also make excellent home decor options. Consider these ideas:
Shells and Coral
Place seashells and pieces of coral in glass bowls or vases for an ocean-inspired centerpiece. Use shells and starfish in coastal-themed shadowboxes or picture frames. Make wind chimes out of shells.
Beachy Fabrics
Incorporate sand colors, nautical stripes, or fish prints onto pillows, blankets, curtains, or upholstered furniture. Use textured fabrics like linen, burlap, or seagrass to create a casual, beachy look.
Driftwood and Glass
Fill glass vases, lanterns, or apothecary jars with driftwood, sea glass, rocks, or sand to create unique table decor. Make mirrors or wall art using salvaged driftwood frames.
Bringing the Outside In
In addition to using natural materials, you can decorate your home with actual plants and greenery to connect with nature. Here are some options:
Houseplants
Certain houseplants like succulents, snake plants, or pothos vines are easy to maintain. Place them in rustic ceramic pots or hang them in macrame plant holders. Group plants together in a corner to create your own indoor garden oasis.
Dried Botanicals
Preserve the beauty of flowers, ferns, eucalyptus, etc. by drying them and displaying them in vases and jars, or hanging them in bundles. The dried arrangements last for years.
Potted Trees
Small trees like citrus trees, ficus trees, or areca palm trees can thrive indoors near sunny windows. The lush greenery purifies the air too.
Moss Walls
Create a stunning living accent wall by mounting preserved moss onto wood panels or foam. The moss thrives without soil if misted occasionally.
Bring the Outdoors In
In addition to decorative objects, you can use design elements to make indoor spaces feel more connected with nature. Consider these ideas:
Natural Light
Maximize sunlight indoors by positioning chairs and sofas near windows. Install skylights or solar tubes to let natural light into inner rooms. Use mirrors to reflect and amplify incoming sunlight.
Natural Materials
Use renewable, unprocessed materials like jute, sisal, cork, bamboo, seagrass, etc. for rugs, baskets, and wall coverings. The organic textures complement the natural decor.
Neutral Color Palette
Paint walls or upholster furniture in earthy, neutral tones like beige, tan, cream, light brown, slate blue, pale green, etc. The colors evoke elements found in nature like sand, stones, wood, water, sky.
Organic Shapes
Choose furniture and decor with fluid, asymmetric shapes and natural edges. Round coffee tables, curved sofas, oblong mirrors, and ceramic vases with uneven silhouettes feel more organic.
Indoor Plants
Nothing brings the essence of nature into a room like live plants! Place them throughout your home to add lively pops of green and texture.
Frequently Asked Questions About Forest and Sea Decor
What are some budget-friendly ways to create this nature-inspired look?
On a budget, focus on adding touches like framed leaves or feathers, cupboard knobs made from twigs or antlers, wood slab coasters, and throws printed with leaves, trees, or acorns. Dried flowers, inexpensive houseplants, and items collected outdoors like stones or pinecones also help achieve the natural look on a dime.
How can I incorporate coastal vibes if I don’t live near the ocean?
Use ocean-evoking colors like deep blues, greens, and tans. Decorate with shells, starfish, driftwood, and ropes. Add textures like denim, linen, sea grass, or jute. Paint walls in fish prints or hang art depicting beaches, seascapes, lighthouses, etc. Scented candles with beachy aromas like coconut, citrus, and sea salt also conjure up the seaside.
What types of paint colors complement a nature-inspired space?
Subdued, neutral paint colors work well, like beige, light brown, tan, cream, light blue-gray, soft sage green, or pale olive. Avoid bold primaries. Distressed white or natural wood finishes also suit the rustic ambience. Accent walls in deeper earthy hues can anchor the neutral palette.
What are good nature themes for a kid’s room?
A forest theme with woodland murals, leaf and tree decals, owl or deer prints, and log cabin bunk beds can delight. For a girls’ room, a butterfly motif with flowering vine wallpaper, butterfly mobiles, and soft pastel colors can charm. Nature photography prints and camp tent cubby playhouses also satisfy a child’s sense of adventure and imagination.
How can I highlight the nature theme at night?
strategic lighting elevates the earthy style when the sun goes down. Try amber pendant lights, table lamps with natural linen shades, candles, coordinated sconces or floor lamps, and fixtures with organic shapes like twisted branches. You can also install dimmers for a cozy ambiance. Outside, line walkways with lanterns or solar lights.
Conclusion
Decorating with natural materials, textures, colors, and shapes is an easy way to create a serene, welcoming home. Forest and ocean motifs can provide a sense of calm and tranquility in our fast-paced modern world. Whether you live in a wooded cabin or seaside cottage or just want to emulate those environments, bringing elements of nature indoors through thoughtful design can help you feel more grounded and peaceful. The forest and sea offer endless inspiration for creating rejuvenating, nature-connected spaces.
