Zoe-Lee Skelton

The natural world provides a great deal of peace and calm for a lot of people. Spending a day by the lake or in the woods is a perfect chance to escape the stress of normal life. But, most people have to go far from home to achieve this. It’s hard to find green spaces in the city. And, when you do, they’re usually occupied by others. Instead, you should be trying to find ways to bring nature into your home. As I have already discussed bringing wildlife to your garden, this post will be going through some of the best ways you can being the outdoors in.

Natural Aromas

Human senses are powerful things. Your sight and hearing provide you with a great idea of your environment. And, you have loads of other senses. But, some can be abused more than others. Your sense of smell can be tricked more than any other. Filling your home with natural smells, like pine needles and apple, will make it feel like you’re spending time in the outside world. It can make your home feel more cozy and comfortable. Most people don’t consider these sorts of scents in for their living spaces. But, they can be some of the best to blend naturally without feeling cloying.

Green Energy

This next option is a little different to the other ones on this list. Generating power with your home has become possible over the last few years. Using solar panels, it’s possible to use your roof to provide a large portion of the electricity you use. When you don’t use it; you will have reductions on your bills. This sort of method is perfect for homes with a lot of roof space, which are in very sunny areas. Solar power continues to gain popularity throughout the world. And, very soon, they will be common everywhere.

Choice House Plants

Now, it’s time to get back to aesthetics. Having plants like small trees and flowers in your home can have a huge impact on the overall appearance of your home. Plants will make your home feel alive. But, you have to choose the right ones. It’s best to get options which will last a long time. For example, a peace lily will last a lot longer than most other flowers. Of course, though, you will have to look after it. Or, you could choose something like a Yucca which will require nearly no maintenance.

Natural Sounds

Sound, like smell, can have a massive effect on the way that you feel. And, there are loads of ways to add some natural sound to your home. Indoor fountains will make it feel like you have a babbling river nearby. Or, simply have some bird sounds playing in the background could make you feel better. This sort of effort can make you feel completely detached from the city; leaving you in your own world.

Hopefully, this will give you a good idea of what needs to be done; if you want a slice of nature in your home. Most people don’t make this sort of effort. But, it’s worth it. Once you’ve done this, you will be able to reap the benefits of being in the great outdoors; without stepping outside.

*this is a collaborative post

Most homes have a good deal of unused space. This space is found in the nooks and crannies you find around the average house. And, they total for a huge amount of waste; when you consider that a lot of families fight for storage. A large portion of this space is a lot of homes is found in one place, though; the attic. To have a roof which can effectively get rid of water, it has to slant. And, this results in an empty area at the top of a home. To help you use the attic to the best full potential, this post will go through the steps you need to take.

To start, you need to begin to think of the attic as a room. A lot of homes are big enough for a lot of the attic to be a standing area. So, it’s good enough to use as a full-time room. Once you have adopted this ethic, you can begin to consider the use you want to have for the room. Whether you need an extra bedroom or you just want a place to relax; this will be crucial to your plans. At this point, you may have to pay someone to put floorboards down in the attic. But, this shouldn’t be too expensive.

Once you know how the room is going to be used; you can start to decide how you want to decorate it. The ceiling and small areas of wall will need to be painted. So, you’ll have to choose a neutral or tasteful colour to adorn them. Along with this, it’s good to pick out a couple of complementing colours to use as accents and features in the room. For example, having cream walls would be great. Along with this, you could have yellow and grey accents to make the room pop a little more. Of course, this sort of decision is purely subjective; so, you have to make your own choices. Take a look at sites like Instagram for inspiration. They give you the chance to easily search through loads of images.

Now, you have a chance to think about the furniture you have in the room. Wooden furniture is always good to go for; it never goes out of fashion and can be easily adapted to meet new trends. You have to make sure that the furniture you choose fits in the room. Naturally, the size and shape of an attic room mean that you’re limited with tall options. So, measure twice and make sure the furniture you choose will leave the room livable. A three-piece suite doesn’t fit well in most lofts; but, some bean bags could be perfect.

Having a room in your attic can make it hard to have insulation inside it. If you just have it in the floor; the room will get cold and hot during different times of year. So, instead of relying on a regular roof; you should opt for something a little better. A Guardian insulated roof can solve this issue, and make the roof look a lot nicer. This sort of job should always be carried out by a professional. Along with the roof itself; you should also think about some windows. The room will feel incredibly drab without some skylights to illuminate it. Having a room lit by electric lights is never good for a room’s atmosphere.

Hopefully, this post will inspire you to start looking into your own attic room. A lot of homes have this space available for use. But, not a lot of people decide to do this sort of work. Most of this can be achieved through DIY; so, it’s worth a stab.

Rising to popularity with the trend for converting old factories into upscale apartments, industrial design delivers sophistication with an edge. What draws many people to this pared-down, utilitarian style is its honesty and boldness. Features that other design styles might try to disguise, like exposed ducts and pipes, brick and cinderblock walls, or unfinished materials, industrial homes put on display. Still, you don’t have to live in a converted warehouse to achieve this blend of form and function. When you follow a few simple tips, industrial decor is attainable in any home.

Pick Neutral Colors

Because industrial homes take their inspiration from functional factory spaces, the traditional color palette tends to be neutral without many pops of bright color. Hues that would naturally occur in wood, metal, and leather are good choices, with cool colors, especially grays and whites, being preferred. To add some variety while keeping within the industrial aesthetic, choose warm hues of rust, brick, sand, or moss for accessories and accents.

Select Quality Raw Materials

Nothing says industrial like concrete, metal, and natural wood. Many decorators choose to incorporate salvaged or repurposed machinery, recycled pallets, or antique fixtures into their designs to add authenticity and history. In fact, raw-edged materials associated with manufacturing are one of the main features that separate industrial style from sleeker, more finished modern decor. Where a modern home might feature sparkling glass tables and glossy molded plastic chairs, a scarred wooden farmhouse table surrounded by aluminum chairs has a more industrial feel.

When trying to create this style at home, many people worry that cinderblock and rusted iron just won’t translate into a space that feels cozy and inviting. We want our furniture to look factory-inspired, not to feel like sitting on it is actual work. The solution is to pick your salvaged finds wisely. Many people use unfinished or antique pieces as decorations or for furniture that doesn’t need to be comfortable. Pallet coffee tables, metal lockers, and stainless steel countertops are staples of industrial design that look great while remaining functional. If you do want to incorporate a wrought-iron bench, concrete floor, or lightly padded leather couch, accessorize with plenty of pillows, rugs, and blankets.

Choose Lighting Fixtures That Could Be From A Warehouse

The easiest way to give your space an instant hit of industrial chic is to choose functional but fashionable lighting. Metal pendant lights, table lamps with wire cage shades, adjustable metal desk lamps, and iron or copper floor lamps are all popular finds, especially when fitted with vintage-style Edison bulbs. Picking pieces that showcase the engineering and architectural side of industrial design is a smart way to add drama and sophistication to otherwise simple decor and unfinished materials.

Since many homes in this style are renovated warehouses, large and open rooms are a common lighting challenge. To keep these spaces from seeming too dark or severe, place lighting at multiple levels throughout the room. Use ceiling-mounted globe lights or hanging pendants to illuminate large areas. Strong desk or floor lamps provides more concentrated light to make reading or studying easier. To add a warm glow, finish off the room with accent lights from small table lamps to novelty lanterns. Your industrial room will be more inviting and practical if all three types of lighting are present.

Keep It Minimal

Industrial design is about admiring the beauty of things that work, so function is just as important as aesthetics when picking out furniture and accessories. Decor in this style generally doesn’t have many extra frills or elements that serve no purpose, preferring to cut out clutter for a more streamlined look. To stick to this philosophy, try decorating with functional items like vintage metal fans, mirrors with plenty of patina, or wooden crates for extra magazine and blanket storage. You can also turn items you’ll need to store anyway into display pieces with open shelving. Industrial metal bookcases or floating wooden wall shelves are both practical space savers and striking accents.

Industrial on a Budget

Although many industrial homes have an upscale look, the beauty of this style is that it doesn’t have to break the bank. Some of the most interesting pieces can be picked up for a few dollars at a flea market or even made yourself from materials available at any hardware store. For the items you want to buy, make sure to shop around online to find the best deals. Many stores carry industrial collections including true antiques and vintage-style items at a reasonable price. Consider using a local sales finder, like the one available at Furniture.com, to locate the best prices on industrial decor in your area.