5 Ways to Bring the Outdoors Into Your Home

Feeling connected to nature has myriad physical and mental health benefits, from improved air quality to reduced stress levels. In our busy lives, however, it can be a bit challenging to cut down the screen time and immerse ourselves in the natural world. If you’re looking to feel more in touch with the great outdoors, here are five ways you can bring it into your home and improve your living space.

Potted Plants and Trees
There’s really no such thing as having too many plants in the house. Studies have suggested that they can boost your immune system, decrease blood pressure and even improve your sleep cycle. Plus, they just look nice around the home.

Natural Materials
Using an abundance of organic materials, such as wood and stone, throughout the house can allow it to feel at one with the outside world. There are plenty of other ways to introduce earthy textures when decorating, like a Jute rug made from natural fibers or bamboo furniture.

Oversized Windows and Doors
Floor-to-ceiling windows and large glass doors are an excellent way to capture the sensation of having nature in your home. There’s a calming effect that comes about when natural light floods your living room, and you can enjoy a view that showcases your surroundings.

Outdoor-Inspired Decor
So you don’t have a wide-open view of rolling hills and towering trees? Try decorating your home with a nature-inspired motif, like floral-patterned upholstery or wallpaper depicting a landscape. Surrounding yourself with scenes and colors from the outdoors can be the next best thing when you’re feeling stuck inside.

Natural Aromas
Filling your home with the fresh scents of the outdoors is a surefire way to feel more connected to Mother Nature. That can mean keeping flowers around the house or using essential oils that are relaxing and have a positive impact on your mood, like lemongrass, eucalyptus or lavender.

5 Features That Millennials Look for in a Home.

 

As millennials continue to have an ever-increasing impact on the luxury property market, it’s important to consider how this can affect your home’s value. Over the past few years, millennials have established that their tastes and preferences significantly differ from those of their parents. If you’re hoping that your house will appeal to this new group of luxury homebuyers, here are five features that millennials look for in real estate.

 

Privacy
With the rise of technology and the amount of personal information that gets put into the public sphere, millennials have placed a premium on their privacy. They want to be able to enjoy their living space without having to worry about prying eyes, whether that means being in a gated community, living in a building with a doorman and security, or simply having a backyard that’s enveloped by trees and vegetation.

 

Eco-friendly
Millennials are more mindful of their carbon footprint than past generations, and for good reason. Because of this, they have demonstrated a willingness to pay extra for energy-efficient appliances that have a lower impact on the environment. By investing in sustainability, you’re increasing the value of your home.

 

Smart Tech
Being able to control your thermostat or make sure you remembered to lock the door using your mobile phone are luxuries that emerged as this group came of age in the real estate market. Millennials see smart home technology to save time while also delivering extra peace of mind.

 

Proximity to Nature
Whether they’re in the city or the suburbs, having access to nature is essential for today’s young and affluent demographic. Younger consumers today are more active and health-conscious than ever before, meaning that communities with walking, hiking and biking trails will speak to millennials. Additionally, lush outdoor living areas where they can unplug from technology have major appeal.

 

Home Office
Millennials are a generation of entrepreneurs and remote workers. Because of this, they’re more likely to work from home. Having an office or designated workspace is conducive to their lifestyle, which mixes work and play more freely than past generations.