We are a part of nature. Nature keeps us balanced and feeling well when the stress and dis-ease of our city lifestyle becomes too much.

Think about what parts of nature you love the most. It varies for us all. It could be trees, sun, water, sand, wind, mountains, animals, soil, planets and space, sky, crystals and of course there are many more. Any of these elements that you feel close to, should be in your home and don't be afraid to have an abundance of them. We are natural creatures who move in synchronisation with nature when we live with nature, but those of us living in cities are about as detached from nature as we could be.

We are surrounded by walls, electricity, technology(with radiation), other people (and their energy), noise, pollution, packaged foods, toxins and many other things that come with our way of life which can make us ill.

We need nature. We need to have that connection because if we don't, we wither away. It affects how your primary and secondary sense, sure, but more importantly it affects your physical health, your thoughts, your emotions and of course your relationships and interaction with other people.

So bring it into your home and your space as much as possible. Bring in the plants, use mirrors and windows to bring in light during the day, use pictures on the wall.

Add the textures of nature to this such as a woven rug on the floor or a soft, fluffy blanket draped over the arm of your couch.

Natures colours, scents, sounds etc. can be brought into the home in a variety of ways with oils, fragrances, fresh flowers and fruits.

Some Nature Theme Ideas

Beach

Soft blues and golds can bring a fresh beach feel. Decorate this wish images of water and sailing along with seashells in a bowl and you have a lovely outdoors feel. Add to this the sound of whalesong or water gently lapping in the background with some meditative tones and you have a relaxed atmosphere that is reminiscent of a beachside holiday.

Beach Colours

Earth

Rich reds, browns and tones of black or grey are wonderful for a warm, earthy atmosphere. Add touches of crisp white and it is very eyecatching and modern. Decorate with different earthy elements such as a sand display or pottery or tribal themes and you will feel wonderfully connected to the Earth.

Seasons

Some people have a favourite season and working with the colours of that season can make you feel wonderfully connected to nature and also bring back beautiful memories of special times.

• Spring - riots of colour with shades of green look striking and attractive. Spring represents new growth and abundance so bunches of flowers from your garden, bowls of fruit, big, pastel pictures on the wall and lots of light along with sounds of songbirds would help to bring this into your home.
• Summer - Summer represents fun and warmth. Golds and oranges work well for summer and also borrowing the blue from the above beach theme will help make your summery layout fresh and attractive. Sunflowers and sunny elements are great for warming up cooler areas that need warmth and lots of light. Also think about one object that represents summer and bring that in to help make your home more summery for example, a beach ball. The primary colours of red, blue and yellow or a mix of these can be striking in the home.
• Autumn - This is a no-brainer. The colours of Autumn are famous for bringing people comfort and happiness. Browns, golds, burnt oranges and reds. Add to this warm soft textures such as fleece or soft blankets and cushions plus the smell of a fresh baked loaf of bread or your favourite cookies and your home will be a place you'll not want to leave. Add images of autumn leaves or trees on the walls to complete the feel of it.
• Winter - This is a wonderful theme to use in the summer time and especially in hot rooms that need to be cooled down. Ice-blue, water, white and elements of winter always help you feel cooler. Beautiful snow images on the wall and touches of deep green help bring in that snowy forest feel. Add to this scents of pine and decorations of acorns and you should be feeling cooler in no time. A hot room that you are trying to cool down should also have less soft furnishings so tiled or wooden floors are nice with a small rug rather than carpeting. Keep cupboard and table tops clutter free to give breezes a chance to flow through nicely and of course keep doorways clear to let it flow through the entire home.

Decorating with Zebra print

Themes

Themes are fabulous for bringing a feel into your home. Do you like animals? Well animal prints and fake furs or fleece can bring that element into your home. Wood is a wonderful way of having nature all around you but be careful that it is wood from sustainably managed forests to help support nature and not destroy it. If you have a favourite colour, you can use elements of nature in that colour to bring in something you love for example if you liked purple, you could use purple flowers and gems to add a touch of nature to your decorating. Tribal elements can be very natural and also exciting. For some people the ultimate natural touch indoors is to bring in plants and even an indoor garden. I know someone who built their home around a magnificent tree and it was the centrepoint of the structure. Left completely natural and growing as it always did, the tree looked amazing up the centre of the home. Pebbles and rocks can bring in colour, texture and patterns not previously enjoyed

Think of as many ways as you can to bring nature into your environment and you'll find some wonderful new ways to decorate and to make your space healthy and enjoyable. A good trick is to choose an element of nature that will soothe each of your senses. So pick something for sight, sound, smell, touch, and even taste when you're relaxing.

Ensure that in at least one part of your home whether inside or outside, that you have a sanctuary - a place where you can connect with nature, breathe clearly and be ready to face the barrage that life presents to us each day.

This will help you to feel relaxed and in balance.