Bring the outdoors indoors

When the weather conditions are good, a relaxing evening spent on the porch or patio is perfect for enjoying good company and the beauty of the outside world. But wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy a bit of the outdoors indoors?

Bring the rejuvenating, refreshing and calming effects of nature into your personal space with a few simple touches. The best place for incorporating these organic elements is the space closest to your patio, deck or back door. Let this area serve as a transitional space where the outside world connects with the comforts of your interior.

Here are a few tips on bringing the outside into your home:

Choose natural materials and colors

For chairs, sofas, rugs, pillows and other décor, choose natural patterns, textures and fibers. Pair materials like hemp, rattan, bamboo, wicker and jute, with softer textures, such as cottons, velvet and velour for added dimension.

Pick chairs, sofas, coffee tables and buffet pieces that are white or ivory. These light colors will make the outdoor tints of greens, blues and browns pop. For the woodsy look, choose faux bois upholstery, a textile pattern that mimics the grain of wood.

Spruce up your view

Add trees or shrubs that bloom to serve as your focal point when you look outside. Attach window boxes and plant flowers in colors that complement your décor.

Pretty doors

Consider expanding your view by adding a pretty, glass door. Jeld-Wen is among companies that make decorative glass doors that are Energy Star-qualified, including a retrofit folding door. For more, visit jeld-wen.com.

Rustic and seaside

The right tchotchkes can evoke the serenity of nature within your space. For a rustic look, add dried flowers, pinecones, rocks, wood and straw. For a seaside touch, use sea shells, starfish and jars of sand for coastal inspiration. If you lack space to scatter items throughout the room, place the items in a large decorative bowl and use as a centerpiece.

Frame ’em!

One of the best ways to incorporate natural nuances is using your own scenic photos. Do you have good beach photos from that fun vacation at the Outer Banks? How about that trip your family took along the Blue Ridge Parkway or to the zoo? Display your beautiful memories. Dust off your favorite photos and place them in neutral-toned frames to set throughout the space.