A Natural Look At Home Decorating

Home decorating isn’t just about matching textures and colors anymore. Now, most interiors are done with a theme in mind. Some people like the country theme while others prefer a more modern look. Oriental themes, Indian themes, American Southwest… These are all great ideas, but have you ever thought about basing your theme on the natural world?

Water as a Natural Design Element
If you choose water as a theme, you have options galore for decorating. Think blue and green when looking for ideas and color schemes. Paint your walls with blue textured paint to appear as though you are under water. You can even adorn your walls with paintings of water scenes. Place a large blue area rug in the middle of your living room and scatter several smaller blue and green area rugs or sea grass area rugs in different rooms.

If you have the space, scatter small fountains throughout your home, or better still, place a larger one inside the entrance to your house. Aquariums are great for decorating a house with a water theme.

Air as a Natural Design Element
The “air” theme can get a little tricky, but you can do it if you put some imagination into it. Sky blue and white go well together. Pastel rainbow colors in small accessories make a great asset to a room. Pictures may include sky-scapes and/or birds. Brighten things up with a little yellow to put you in mind of a sunny day. Try painting your walls with swirls of sky blue and filmy white. Add huge fluffy white pillows to your couch. Hang an air-themed tapestry on your wall or place one or two blue, white or yellow area rugs around your home.

Fire as a Natural Design Element
This one is easy. Think warmth when decorating in keeping with the fire theme. Red can be used, though be careful not to overdo it. Dark oranges mixed with yellow and red all go very well together. A fireplace in the living room is perfect for such a theme. Candles can be placed in sconces on the walls and in candleholders throughout your home. Strategically placed mirrors can reflect the fireplace and the candles. Lighting that can be dimmed is wonderful for this theme.

Earth as a Natural Design Element
Greens, browns and tans are the basic colors for the earth theme. Add many live plants throughout your home. Why not add a small potted tree or two? Large and small geodes of semi-precious gems may be placed around on tables, shelves and even the floor. Forest, mountain and countryside paintings may be hung on the walls. You might choose wooden floors with bamboo area rugs or light brown area rugs placed under coffee tables and couches. There is even furniture on the market with legs that resemble branches and or tree trunks.

If you would like to incorporate all of these ideas, why not use a different element for separate rooms? Your kitchen might have an airy feel to it and your living room could be warm and fiery. Your bath would do well with a water theme and your dining area may look great with a table that “grows” out of the floor.

If you have been lost for home decorating ideas, put some consideration into using the elements as your guide.