According to the United Nations, nearly 70% of the world population will live in urban areas by 2050. Even now, the number of people moving to cities is growing by the day. This means most of us are stuck in concrete neighborhoods and buildings without access to real nature. Because of this, biophilic design, which incorporates elements of nature in both the interior and exterior, is becoming more popular than ever.
The kitchen is the room that can benefit the most from this trend. The natural elements will inspire joy, family bonding, and ease when it comes to cooking and kitchen chores. So, if you are ready to treat your kitchen to a natural vibe, here are a few tips that will help you, regardless of your remodeling fund.
Light it up
Lighting is a crucial element of every room, especially the kitchen. Natural light can infuse warmth and lift the mood of the space. If you are planning a remodeling anytime soon, consider adding a skylight or expanding the window.
If this is not an option for you right now, you can use some tricks that will work with a more limited budget. Removing the curtains from the kitchen window will allow more sunlight in. However, if you want to achieve the best effect, you should paint the walls in a light neutral color or crisp white. If the kitchen still feels dark to you, layered lighting will do the trick.
Add some wood
Wood is the most appreciated natural element in interior design. The most obvious ways to incorporate wood into your kitchen is via cabinets, the kitchen island, flooring, and furniture. To achieve the maximum effect, use stained instead of painted wood, which will help maintain the natural, raw appearance. Lately, many designers and homeowners are turning to a more rustic approach by adding wooden beams to the ceiling.
There are, of course, cheaper and quicker methods of celebrating the beauty of wood in your kitchen. You can do that through decorative pieces and useful kitchen accessories. For example, you can display wooden mixing spoons and scoops on the kitchen wall. Also, cheeseboards and handle boards made of walnut will be even more effective because they give the space a cozy, rustic feel.
Set it in stone
Stone isn’t just for pathways and patios. It can be introduced into the kitchen in numerous ways, ranging from flooring and countertops to plates and decorative bowls. For example, you can arrange different color pebbles onto a decorative tray – there’s a rich detail that requires minimal effort, but surely won’t go unnoticed. If you are remodeling and want to invest more money, you can also use beautiful stones as a backsplash.
Display some vintage cookware
Many chefs and culinary aficionados are obsessed with cooking in earthware, because of the lovely taste it delivers and the amazing texture it gives to food. However, these clay pots have a decorative value as well. If you display them on the kitchen shelving, you will immediately infuse the space with a rustic and natural feel.
Green it up
Nothing beats real greenery when it comes to bringing nature inside your home. Luckily for you, the kitchen is a space that offers plenty of different options for adding real foliage. Here are some of them:
- Large houseplants in the unoccupied corners of the kitchen will feel lush and look clean. Consider tropical plants with big leaves for the ultimate spruce-up.
- Get some cut flowers and arrange them on the countertops, shelves, or tables. This will add a colorful bloom to your kitchen.
- Forced bulbs are another excellent way to add a pop of color to this room.
- If your kitchen isn’t getting enough light or you simply aren’t ready to devote a lot of attention to maintenance, get some low-maintenance plants, such as succulents and cacti.
- Get twofold benefits by planting a mini herb garden. It will look nice and green, and you will have fresh seasoning for your dishes.
- If you have some empty wall space, you can install a green wall (vertical garden). This will definitely breathe some fresh air into the room and serve as a fantastic focal point. There are various ways to do this, including using a pallet, galvanized gutters, fence boards, and buckets.
Fake it ‘till you make it
Of course, you can’t turn your kitchen into a full-blown garden, but you can use some tricks to make it look that way. Nature-themed plates and pitchers can bring the outdoors into your kitchen, without the struggle of keeping the real plants alive.
You can also add similar details to the backsplash and even the cabinets, but keep it tasteful so that you don’t go overboard. You don’t want your kitchen to look like a jungle.
Bringing the outdoors in is not a trend just because some interior designers met and made a deal to make it popular. The benefits of biophilic design principles are real. When you implement any of these tips, you will experience them first-hand, and you will definitely feel better and be prouder about your cooking space than you are now.