Bringing the Outdoors In - Beyond a Trend
If you’ve watched even a few minutes of HGTV or skimmed a handful of real estate listings, you’re likely acquainted with the notion of “bringing the outdoors in.” But the concept is much more than just a home decorating cliché.
“As a species, we are part of the natural world and we have an inherent need to connect with nature, whether we realize it or not,” says psychotherapist Patricia Hasbach, author of “Grounded: A Guided Journal to Help You Reconnect With the Power of Nature — and Yourself.” “It’s about kinship. It fosters a feeling of being part of the larger world.”
Bringing in houseplants, opting for floral prints, using earth or sea tones — these types of choices reflect the scientific theory of “biophilia,” which proposes that humans have an innate desire to connect with nature, explains Marc Berman, director of the Environmental Neuroscience Lab at the University of Chicago. Also at play: “attention restoration theory,” the concept that exposure to nature relieves mental fatigue. Together, these theories have given rise to “biophilic design,” an approach to interiors that encourages incorporating natural elements.