A Sliver of Green in a Concrete Jungle

Big-city folks! There’s a kind of pride in belonging to this clan of individuals that presumably seem to have it all - better infrastructure, job opportunities, quality of life, ease-of-doing-business, good quality housing and education. These are amongst many reasons why many move away from their family and childhood homes for a chance at an upgraded lifestyle!

There’s a consistent mindset that “making it big” in some way or another means moving to the big city. The link between success, opportunity and the city are tightly bound, and therefore, we are always eager to pack our suitcases and make the big move to explore better opportunities!

For all you city dwellers out there, while you would never give up the comforts of the big city life, we have all come to realize, especially in the current situation how withdrawn we are from nature. Moving from smaller towns to the metros automatically means distancing yourself from natural surroundings, losing access to fresh, clean air as well as contact with animals, gardening, farming and other outdoor activities that keep small towners healthy, physically and mentally.

Ever wondered what role nature plays in our lives? And, why it’s important for us to bring a little bit of the outdoors to our homes? Our bodies are well aware that being close to nature brings us health benefits, and is actually essential for human well-being. Bringing nature into our indoor spaces can have a huge impact on how we feel. Studies have shown that adding biophilic elements to our homes and workplaces can reduce stress, blood pressure and heart rates, while increasing productivity, creativity and overall well-being. In this blog article, we explore several aspects of biophilic design to help you get closer to nature or bring nature in your abodes, at a time when most of us are spending increasing amounts of time within the confines of our homes!

TAKE IT TO THE TROPICS

It doesn't matter where you live, you can create a tropical getaway in your own home with a few design tips. Tropical interiors provide a certain sense of comfort & ease with their warm and soothing colours & textures. The inspiration for tropical interiors is mostly natural elements like vegetation, sky, forest or sea. While the sea provides shades of blue, forests provide lush green tones; both of which have calmness as the common aspect. A tropical wall mural, floral floors, scatter cushions, and a ceiling fan cultivate a vacation flavour, making you feel like you’re on a permanent holiday amongst nature! 

TREAT YOURSELF TO SOME ME-TIME

Make sure to reserve a space within your home for a fun outdoor swing or seating space. You can just unwind here reading a book or spending a lazy Sunday afternoon. Try putting this up in a place overlooking natural surroundings to treat the nature lover in you.

However, if you are short on big outdoor space, find a cozy corner within your home maybe next to the window overlooking greenery. Add in a comfortable couch and cuddle up in your own little nook.

DARE TO GO GREEN

Revitalized, energized, in touch with nature, these are all things we might feel from surrounding ourselves with greenery - even if that greenery comes in the form of interior decoration. If you have an adventurous streak within, and don’t mind exploring with the colour green beyond the realms of biophilia, there are several ways that you can incorporate it within your décor. Green walls, and matching accessories and furnishings can really ramp up a positive ‘get up and go’ attitude.  

LET THE LIGHT IN

Sunlight is an important part of any residential interiors. For humans, the sun’s rays have regulated the processes of the body for millennia, and we have adapted to be our healthiest selves when living and working in relation to the sun’s daily cycles. Living in a closed-door environment causes suffocation and lack of fresh natural air.

Nothing can replace some good old dreamy sunshine. Bank upon freely available natural lighting and make your space come alive. Choose shades of white for all your furnishings and walls, and feel inspired with bright hues all around. Aesthetically pleasing and a calm, breezy look, this one is our personal favourite!

THE RAW APPEAL

This centuries-old flooring is enjoying a new lease on life as architects and designers are quickly recognizing its environmental friendliness, durability, and ageless beauty. Terrazzo typically lasts as long as the structure it’s housed in. It is also a low-maintenance material. Once installed and finished, the polished surface will maintain its look and beauty for decades to come even under heavy foot traffic. 

With its colourful texture and retro aesthetic, this versatile material can be easily incorporated into any home. It has that raw appeal which connects us to the natural environment. Using green glass chips with white as the base can definitely give your floors an earthy finish making it feel like an extension of your natural surroundings.

BRING NATURE TO YOUR HOMES

A little greenery inside the house has the potential to revitalize the soul and senses. When you add indoor plants to your life, it has a positive impact on your mental health. Plus, adding some green helps purify the air in your home by filtering out everyday pollutants.

The problem is that most people aren’t plant experts and have no clue where to start. It is extremely important to identify the spaces within your home that would look better with more green, the climate that we live in, the amount of light that streams in through the windows, and understand the sunlight requirements for different indoor plants before choosing the ones that will work for your space. Check out this guide by Livspace that provides some great insights into the Top 10 Low Maintenance Plants in India with recommendations on how to incorporate them into your interiors.

FINDING INNER PEACE

You do not have to believe in Feng Shui to know that we are powerfully influenced by our surroundings. We label the rooms of our homes by what we do in them – dining, living, entertaining – or the objects we use in them – beds, TVs, baths. Do we have spaces in our homes that we create to just be in them?

If during the day we use our bedroom for noisy activities like watching TV or working out, we may find it difficult to rest in that same space in the evening. Similarly, we might have trouble with our mindfulness practice if we try to cultivate stillness in an area of our home associated with activity and energy. 

A meditation space gives you a place in your home that is dedicated to silence and stillness. It needs to be minimalistic in its décor scheme, in order to avoid distractions. You might want to incorporate flowers, cushions, pillows and special lights to create an environment of peace and calm. Choose elements that are meaningful to you and that set this area of your home apart from the rest, allowing you to cultivate intentional awareness, and ultimately be more present in our own lives.

If we think about it, there are various methods & applications through which we can come closer to the environment and feel its warmth around us. Being in the company of nature is like a warm blanket on a wintery night and a musical note left by the evening rains. There’s no feeling as divine as being in the midst of nature, and even if you manage to bring an ounce of that in your homes, you will notice a significant difference in the way you feel and your personal well-being. Hope this article helps you achieve a more green space, particularly at a time when little elements from nature offer the only respite as we spend increasing amounts of time behind closed doors.

For more information, you can mail us on info@bharatfloorings.com

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E-mail: info@bharatfloorings.com

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