Inspiring Ways to Bring Nature into Your Living Room
Give your room personality plucked straight from nature with texture, found treasures and clever touches inspired by life in the wild
Jo Simmons
27 December 2015
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More
Never underestimate the power of natural materials. When worked into your scheme, they can add warmth, personality and authenticity in an instant. In the living room, where we often spend a great deal of our down time, they gently remind us of the great outdoors, even when it’s dark outside and we’re slumped in front of the TV. So sprinkle a few natural finds, from rustic logs to sisal and sheepskin, into the mix and see how much better life feels.
Max the fireplace
Why have a modest tiled hearth when you can have a whole hunk of stone? This living room shows just how dramatic rough-hewn stone can look. It makes lighting a fire feel like camping on a mountainside! Loving the large animal hide on the floor, too. Fabulously caveman-like!
Why have a modest tiled hearth when you can have a whole hunk of stone? This living room shows just how dramatic rough-hewn stone can look. It makes lighting a fire feel like camping on a mountainside! Loving the large animal hide on the floor, too. Fabulously caveman-like!
Shoot for a stone floor
Wood is often the go-to choice for a living room floor, but why not consider stone? It’s durable, easy to clean and feels warmer than, say, ceramic tiles. It works well with underfloor heating and it’s a natural product, so no two stone tiles ever look the same.
Wood is often the go-to choice for a living room floor, but why not consider stone? It’s durable, easy to clean and feels warmer than, say, ceramic tiles. It works well with underfloor heating and it’s a natural product, so no two stone tiles ever look the same.
Choose a chunky table
There’s one perfect material for the coffee table in a nature-inspired living room, and that’s wood. But rather than midcentury teak or painted pine, choose a piece made from wood that’s knotty, gnarly and chunky, to pack in heaps of rustic personality.
Read more ideas for bringing nature in, this time to the bathroom
There’s one perfect material for the coffee table in a nature-inspired living room, and that’s wood. But rather than midcentury teak or painted pine, choose a piece made from wood that’s knotty, gnarly and chunky, to pack in heaps of rustic personality.
Read more ideas for bringing nature in, this time to the bathroom
Arrange potted plants
Bring a dash of living greenery to your sitting room with a houseplant. For maximum impact, choose something tall and tree-like, or simply dot your space with smaller specimens and easy-to-grow succulents.
Bring a dash of living greenery to your sitting room with a houseplant. For maximum impact, choose something tall and tree-like, or simply dot your space with smaller specimens and easy-to-grow succulents.
Go for rustic underfoot
Natural fibres, such as jute, seagrass and coir, can be woven into beautiful rugs that look great and are durable, too. The texture and neutral tones make this type of rug perfect in almost any scheme.
Discover how to bring nature into your bedroom
Natural fibres, such as jute, seagrass and coir, can be woven into beautiful rugs that look great and are durable, too. The texture and neutral tones make this type of rug perfect in almost any scheme.
Discover how to bring nature into your bedroom
Look for leather armchairs
As well as being a natural material, aged, vintage leather has a unique beauty. Source old leather armchairs online or in vintage or junk shops and enjoy their rich patina and soft feel.
As well as being a natural material, aged, vintage leather has a unique beauty. Source old leather armchairs online or in vintage or junk shops and enjoy their rich patina and soft feel.
Seek something unique
Keep your eyes peeled for pieces that channel the natural world in an unusual way and seem to have been minimally touched by human hand. Mirrors framed with branches or stools and side tables cut from tree trunks – or even sculptural hunks of wood – bring the outdoors inside in its most unadorned, raw state.
Keep your eyes peeled for pieces that channel the natural world in an unusual way and seem to have been minimally touched by human hand. Mirrors framed with branches or stools and side tables cut from tree trunks – or even sculptural hunks of wood – bring the outdoors inside in its most unadorned, raw state.
Pile up logs
Fire is one of our oldest friends, and a wood burner or open fire will bring elemental warmth and life to your living space. Make much of its fuel, too, if you are burning logs. Store them stacked vertically or horizontally, or tumbled into baskets, so you can enjoy their natural texture and colour before they join the flames.
Check out 14 stylish wood-burning stoves
Fire is one of our oldest friends, and a wood burner or open fire will bring elemental warmth and life to your living space. Make much of its fuel, too, if you are burning logs. Store them stacked vertically or horizontally, or tumbled into baskets, so you can enjoy their natural texture and colour before they join the flames.
Check out 14 stylish wood-burning stoves
Add a pup
The ultimate natural addition to a living space, a dog, will also help bring the outside in – literally! Think muddy paws, a rain-drenched coat and the odd stick, too. Go on, you know you want one…
TELL US…
Do you feel inspired by these natural ideas for a living room? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
The ultimate natural addition to a living space, a dog, will also help bring the outside in – literally! Think muddy paws, a rain-drenched coat and the odd stick, too. Go on, you know you want one…
TELL US…
Do you feel inspired by these natural ideas for a living room? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Related Stories
More Rooms
8 Mistakes to Avoid in Your Small Living Room
Swerve these common design errors to make a big impact in your compact sitting room
Full Story
More Rooms
Where Designers Would Spend and Save in a Living Room
By Cheryl F
It’s your main relaxation space, so what should you splurge or scrimp on in the living room?
Full Story
More Rooms
10 Excellent Ideas for Alcove Storage
By Kate Burt
Those spaces either side of your chimney breast – are you making the most of them? Read on to find out
Full Story
More Rooms
The 5 Most Popular Living Rooms on Houzz Right Now
Get decorating ideas for your living space from these most-saved photos on Houzz
Full Story
More Rooms
7 Key Elements for a Relaxing Living Room
By Kate Burt
Focus on getting these core details right for a living space that soothes the senses
Full Story
More Rooms
7 Ways to Add Character to a Plain Living Room
If you’ve moved into a new space and want to bring it to life, check out these ideas for adding your own stamp
Full Story
More Rooms
The 10 Most Popular Living Rooms on Houzz This Summer
Steal ideas for your reception room from these most-saved photos on Houzz
Full Story
More Rooms
25 Colourful Living Rooms to Brighten Your Day
By Kate Burt
Feeling the need to liven up your living room with a bold splash? Check out these colourful schemes
Full Story
More Rooms
This is How Designers Would Make the Most of a Small Living Room
Follow these small-space tips from interior designers and architects to help you plan your compact reception room
Full Story
Storage & Organisation
How to Organise Your Living Room on Almost Any Budget
By Patricia Lee
Make your living room clutter-free and more usable with budget-friendly ideas to suit your storage needs
Full Story
I think the 'add a pup' comment was meant to be light hearted - but in this case, it could be a bit irresponsible, as some people might not see that!
I do understand what the person was saying, comfortable home, relaxing, dog walk, and enjoying the simple things in life. Happy life,
Great job