Refresh you home by bringing the outdoors in
Adding Nature-Inspired Accents Will Create a Comfortable Atmosphere in any Room
Sitting outside in the sunshine, kayaking on a secluded lake or spending the afternoon hiking to the top of a mountain are wonderful ways to relax and unwind. However, with our increasingly busy lifestyles, many of us just don’t have time to stop and enjoy the world around us. Although you may not be able to escape into nature on the weekends, there are many ways to bring all the benefits of the outside into your home – so you can enjoy them every day!
Designing with nature-inspired elements is becoming a popular trend for the modern home. Homeowners are recreating the soothing feeling evoked by being outdoors in their living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms and sunrooms. You can find glimpses of the outdoors everywhere – from flooring to furniture! So why not bring the outdoors into your home with these decorating and design tips from the experts.
From the Floors Up
Flooring can enhance the look of your home because it serves as the backdrop for all of the other elements in a room. You can find nature in a variety of flooring surfaces – from area rugs and carpet to hardwood and laminates.
[Store Owner] of [Store Name] explains, “Flooring is the perfect way to create a natural look in your home. One of the best ways to enjoy the look of the outdoors is to choose materials that are actually found in nature. We have a range of options that are perfect for a relaxing patio-style sunroom or an elegant bedroom with rich woods.” [Store Owner last name] offered these tips to homeowners who want to incorporate the outdoors into their home:
· Hardwood floors are the ideal choice for a nature-inspired room. Hardwood can provide an elegant or rustic appearance to match your personal style and the décor of your room. Try using natural colored pine, oak or mahogany. Or choose something unique, like bamboo. At [Store Name], a sales associate can help you find the perfect hardwood for your home with their SelectAFloor system, which guides you through the selection process by allowing you to choose the color, style and warranty that is best for you.
· Ceramic tile is another great option. The beautiful stone styles will give your room the appearance of a garden or patio and will complement the nature surrounding your home.
· Add an area rug with a natural woven look, like sisal or bamboo. Natural area rugs will add style to a bare hardwood or ceramic floor. You can also create a more elegant look with a floral area rug in bright, warm colors.
· As an alternative to hardwood or ceramic, opt for resilient flooring like laminate or vinyl. Both types of flooring are available in extremely authentic hardwood or stone tile looks and are very durable, easy to maintain and less expensive than hardwood or ceramic. [Store Name] carries a new type of resilient flooring called Passages, which includes a variety of stone and wood styles. Passages utilizes cutting-edge technology, that makes it extremely durable and virtually impervious to moisture, so it is perfect for a bathroom or a sunroom. Plus, it requires no gluing, so it can be easily changed out or replaced.
· If you opt for wall-to-wall carpeting in a room that gets lots of sunlight, choose a style that uses solution-dyed fiber. This will prevent color from fading when it is exposed to constant light. Choose a natural color, like warm beige, rich brown or forest green.
Add Color
By altering the colors in your new room, you can create an instant change in atmosphere. If you want to recreate the ambiance of an outdoor patio, garden or a rustic forest, look for colors that are found in nature.
· For a summery style, opt for light and bright colors. If your room already has light colors, that’s great! If not, look for a lighter shade of the existing colors. Or, paint the walls and change the furniture to a lighter shade while keeping some darker accent pieces, like pillows or throws, throughout the room.
· If you prefer darker colors, try using deep browns, warm burgundies and greens. This will give the room a natural look, but with an autumn-like décor rather than a summery style.
· Create a room that blends into your garden and the wildlife around your home. Take a look around your yard to find the dominant colors and use these shades in your new room. For example, if your garden has pink and yellow flowers, consider using these shades as accent colors for pillows or accessories.
Garden and Natural Furniture
There are many types of furniture that will give your new room a natural and comfortable atmosphere.
· Wicker furniture will give you a great look that is perfect for a sunroom or garden-style room. Try painting wicker to match the rest of the room or leaving it unpainted for a more natural look.
· Also try furniture made from bamboo, rattan or sea grass or a rustic iron bench. All of these pieces can be brightened up and made more comfortable with cushions and pillows.
· Slipcovers are a great option for light-colored furniture in nature-inspired rooms. They are available in durable, natural-looking fabrics in a range of sizes and can be easily removed and washed. Using slipcovers also gives you the ability to change the look of your furniture to match the season.
· Be creative! Try using garden and outdoor accessories inside your house. For example, put a piece of glass on top of a birdbath to turn it into a table.
Natural Accessories
For an added natural look, use plants, flowers and wood throughout the room.
· Add colorful pots, hanging baskets and terrariums to hold plants and flowers.
· Display cut flowers in old sap buckets or watering cans.
· Use natural wood frames to display photographs or outdoor scenes.
· For a fresh, beach-inspired look, try using sand-filled wine glasses as candleholders. The sand will hold a small candle in place.
These simple suggestions will help you to bring nature into your home, so that no matter how busy you are, you can always find time to enjoy the outdoors!
For more information on nature-inspired flooring and other decorating tips, visit [Store Name] at [Store Location], call [Store Phone] or go to www.CarpetOne.com.
About Carpet One
[STORE NAME] is part of Carpet One (www.CarpetOne.com), North America’s leading floor covering retailer, with more than 1,000 independently owned and operated locations in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Carpet One stores are known for a broad selection of carpet, wood, laminate, ceramic, vinyl, and area rugs, including exclusive brands like Liz Claiborne Home, Good Housekeeping and LEES For LivingÒ. Carpet One’s product warranties and service are unmatched by any other retailer, and Carpet One is the only flooring retailer to have received the Good Housekeeping Seal for exclusive products.