Fall is here, which means beautiful foliage, cozy fires, warm apple cider, pumpkin picking, and all of the wonderful activities this great season brings are soon to be upon us. As you rummage through your closets pulling out boots and sweaters for the cooler weather, you may find yourself wanting to bring the beauty and excitement of fall into your home decor as well. Colder weather makes many more inclined to spend more time at home, and there’s nothing happier than feeling like you have a little bit of the outdoors in your apartment.
In this article, we’ll explore how to bring the outdoors in—without making it feel like you’re living in a jungle! These nature-inspired tips will not only make a great addition to your apartment decor in the fall and winter months, but throughout the year as well.
1. Start with Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is an easy way to bring energy and natural fragrance into a space. The leaves contain an oil that is often distilled and used in aromatherapy which can help with sinus pressure, stress reduction, respiratory issues, and other health problems. Try hanging eucalyptus in your shower, as steam from the shower helps activate the compounds and release the oil into the air. Most grocery stores sell large bouquets of eucalyptus for $5-$8, making it a great way to add more greenery into your space.
2. Decorate with Tree Branches
If you live near a wooded area, you’re in luck. Decorating with tree branches found on wooded grounds is one of the best ways to add natural elements to your decor beyond house plants. Before adding them to your decor, it’s important to clean, treat, and stain the branches for indoor use so that they last. If you prefer not to use real branches, Target, Etsy, and Amazon have great faux willow, birch, and other tree branch options. Whitewashed tree branches in an oversized vase, blooming branches in a rounded vase, or dried flax all make a statement in a room without being over the top.
3. Create a Plant Power Corner
Okay, we know we said we would only give tips that don’t make your home feel like a jungle, but this one may be the closest we’ll get to that, we promise! Gather all of the plants in your home to create a plant power corner. Arrange the plants at different heights and bring in tons of shapes, sizes, colors, and leaf types. Add a reading chair to the corner to make it a little leafy escape!
4. Incorporate Sounds and Scents From Nature
Home decor incorporates so many different senses beyond the visual. Decor weaves in scents, sounds, touch, and feel, so it’s important to tie those elements into your design choices as well. To get the true outdoor feel, try incorporating small fountains and other water features into your home decor as well as pine, cedar, or floral scented candles and reed diffusers.
5. Don’t Overclutter the Sunny Areas
The best part about being out in nature is feeling the sun on your skin. If your apartment has a particularly sunny spot, don’t over-clutter it with furniture—let the space breathe. A simple chair and some small plants can turn it into a sunny little reading nook. Spread the sunlight even more and make the area look bigger by adding mirrors to help bounce the light around the room.
6. Scatter Woven Baskets Around Your Apartment
Even if you don’t have anything to put in them, woven baskets are a great way to add texture and natural elements to a space. Use them to hold extra throw pillows, blankets, or even plants. If you want to cleverly conceal storage, woven container-shaped baskets play double duty as both storage concealers and decorative additions.
7. Use Nature-Inspired Colors
Rather than opting for hot pink and neon green, nature-inspired decor should embody colors found in the outdoors. Opt for shades such as dark brown, burnt orange, sunflower yellow, lavender purple, rich moss, cool gray, and azure blue when selecting pillows, throws, and other accessories.
8. Pick a Nature-Themed Room or Area
Rather than decorating your entire apartment in nature-inspired decor, find one area in your home and make that your decorative focal point. The bathroom is a great place to start, as it’s a small area that is easier to change and update than other areas of the apartment. Begin by adding some plants to the space that enjoy humidity, such as a cast iron plant or bromeliads. Add bamboo or wooden accessories such as a soap dispenser, soap dish, toothbrush holder, and other items. If you have space, a bamboo or pine shower bench is a great addition along with botanical bathroom decor.
9. Incorporate Rattan, Jute, and Other Fibrous Materials
Rattan, braided jute, and other fibrous materials add a coastal, contemporary look to apartment decor and blend well with a wide range of furniture and decorative elements. If you have outdoor space, rattan and braided jute are weatherproof, making them ideal for patios or balconies. For indoors, try pairing a rattan chair with cozy elements such as a soft throw blanket, pillow, or thick rug you can sink your feet into. Braided jute floor cushions and poufs are also a great way to add texture (and additional seating areas) to a space.
10. Decorate with Fruits and Veggies
If you recently went shopping, don’t let those pretty fruits and vegetables hide in the kitchen. Put them out on display! Fill bowls with apples, bananas, oranges, lemons, and limes and scatter the bowls around the apartment—on end tables, coffee tables, dining tables, etc. Use wooden or concrete bowls to incorporate even more natural elements into your space.
Things to Consider
If you’re in the market for a new apartment, Draper and Kramer’s spacious and luxurious apartments offer the perfect canvas to explore these nature-inspired decor trends. Visit our website to browse our full selection of luxury apartment properties today.
