One of the most prominent design trends that have emerged from the past decade is the embrace of nature’s very own palette. Being even more relevant in New Zealand, the appeal of a naturally themed home has been embraced by many – with homeowners seeking a return to the very style perfected by Mother Nature herself.
The palette itself is a soft mixture of earthy browns and gentle sand, accessorised largely with natural greens, evoking a brisk walk along one of New Zealand’s myriad natural trails. Among its many selling points is the ability to bring nature indoors – with one of the trend’s primary traits being an abundance of potted plants and indoor flora – Plant-lovers rejoice! Previously, biophilic design was practically limited to commercial buildings and large spaces, but emerging trends have fostered more variety in home-cultivation.
A carefully curated experience can bring back the best that nature has to offer. Natural incense, earthy tones, and extensive exposure to air can breathe new life into your home. If you’re really feeling ambitious, water features and indoor gardens can contribute to a multi-sensory approach. As a highly complementary colour, natural green pairs perfectly with woven browns and pale tan for an old-fashioned look, or with stone grey and marble white for a modern take.
With the increasing relevance of sustainability over the past two decades, combined with broadening ecological awareness and the work-from-home era, many homeowners found that bringing nature to their house was one way to get the best of both worlds. Pinterest’s 2022 trend report noted significant interest in biophilic design, with more users yearning for therapeutically conductive homes. Taking a break amidst nature is one of humanity’s timeless escapes, but with increasing urban sprawl and transportation woes, it comes as no surprise that many have opted to bring nature to themselves, instead of the other way around.
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