Welcome Spring and Bring Nature Indoors

(ARA) – Now that the ground is thawing and spring is in the air, it’s time to throw open the windows and let the fresh air in.

When you’re venturing out to dig in the dirt, take a moment to bring the outdoors inside as well with these tips from Keith McCleary, academic director of Interior Design at The Art Institute of York – Pennsylvania:

Head to the local garden center and find all those special effects that stimulate your senses in the warmer seasons. Look for a few fragrant herbs like sage, lavender and rosemary to place on your windowsills. Hearty and relatively easy to grow, these herbs will add color and “homemade” aromas to your kitchen and even powder rooms. In addition, they’ll help freshen and clean the stuffy winter air.

McCleary also suggests that you keep in mind bright colors, which can be introduced by forcing bulbs indoors. Amaryllis, in full bloom will brighten any room. Paperwhites, with their not-so-subtle scents will refresh a dull room and add life as they bloom and grow, almost before your eyes. Another seasonal plant that welcomes the season is the Christmas cactus.

You can use a variety of cacti and other green plants, large and small, from Ficus to African violets, to make the rooms feel like the great outdoors. And don’t forget orchids. These tropical beauties love humidity, and adding them to your decor offers a great reason to incorporate a fountain to any room. The extra moisture will aid plants and people alike. They add a lovely touch to the bathroom too.

“Whether it’s changing the light bulbs in your home or buying a lamp that specifically designed to recreate the effect of sunlight, changing the lighting values in your home is a great way to bring the outdoors in,” says Nancy Bohnett, academic director of Interior Design at The Art Institute of Las Vegas. “Utilize your fireplace to recreate the warmth of your outdoor spaces in summer.”

McCleary suggests losing your window coverings altogether and instead opting for a large hanging plant, or a series of them hung at varying heights in a window. They will screen sunlight, thrive on the direct light and provide privacy.

Brighter spaces feel larger. “Use mirrors to add reflected light to darker spaces and to visually increase room size,” says McCleary. Take a trip to the paint store and freshen your decor with brighter colors. Sometimes it takes just one wall with a contrasting outdoor color like cornflower, rose or tomato red to feel like you’re closer to Mother Nature’s gifts. There are dozens of colors in nature’s palate that mimic bright sunshine, begonias, green pears, cut hay and more.

There are few easier ways to switch up your decor than with the accents. Replace a dark, fall-themed print with framed photos of your summer garden or introduce florals and leafy patterns mimicking nature in your accent pillows.

And don’t forget the sounds of your garden, says Bohnett. “Introduce a water feature to remind you of your backyard pond and time spent outdoors.”

It’s time to pack away winter’s cold and freshen your home for spring. The sights, sounds and smells of nature do wonders to bring the outdoors in.

To learn more about The Art Institutes, visit artinstitutes.edu/nz.

Courtesy of ARAcontent