Bring the Outdoors In: 7 Budget-Friendly Ways to Connect with Nature (No Matter the Season)

What does spending time in nature mean to you? For me, it’s hiking and strolling through the park with my pet. Since life is busy and I rarely have time for outdoor activities, I try to recreate that feeling indoors. If you’re interested in doing the same, you’re in the right place. Here are seven affordable ways to bring nature into your home.

Grow Something You Can Eat

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of enjoying something I grew myself. Gardening can feel intimidating at first, but it’s easier than you think, especially if you’re willing to give it some time and care. 

Start with forgiving herbs like mint, basil, chives or parsley. Place them on your kitchen windowsill or a south-facing window. Most herbs need at least six hours of light to thrive. Use old mugs, mason jars with rocks at the bottom for drainage or tin cans instead of buying new pots.

You can grab a packet of seeds for just a few dollars, or pop a cutting from store-bought basil into a glass of water until it roots. For an even easier option, consider buying seedlings or other young plants.

Create a Miniature Nature Scene

When I first discovered biophilic design, I was hooked. It’s about designing your indoor space to make you feel more connected to nature. Life gets busy, and sometimes enjoying the great outdoors slips to the bottom of our to-do lists. The good news is you can bring a bit of it right into your home.

A miniature garden or terrarium is a great biophilic design hack. Here’s what you need:

• A shallow container or pot with drainage holes
• Gravel 
• Potting soil
• Small, slow-growing plants like succulents
• Pebbles and twigs

Fill the container with a base layer of gravel, then the potting soil. Next, plant slow-growing plants and arrange them in the container, leaving space for pathways and accessories. Finish your garden with decorative elements like small pebbles for a path, tiny furniture and moss to create a lovely landscape.

Draw More Natural Light Inside

I love how simply opening my curtains in the morning can instantly make me feel energized. It’s a simple way to bring the outdoors in. You get to enjoy the beautiful view outside and soak up some sunlight, which can help regulate your circadian rhythm, boost vitamin D levels and lower blood pressure.

Try placing a large mirror on the wall opposite your main window to bounce light throughout the space. This simple hack can make your room look and feel more expansive. Replace heavy, dark drapes with lightweight, sheer curtains during hotter months so you still have access to sunlight.

ou love the idea of bringing the outdoors in without worrying about keeping houseplants alive, you’re in luck. I’ve found that adding natural materials like rattan, wood and bamboo can work wonders. You don’t have to spend on expensive fixtures and chairs — some budget-friendly decor ideas include a thrifted rattan headboard and a bamboo side table. 

Instead of buying new furniture, change your blankets, rugs and cushion covers to ones made from natural fibers like linen, cotton or jute. Mix and match different textures, such as chunky knits with smooth linens, to create a visually appealing look.

Engage Your Sense of Smell

Scent is a must-have element in natural home decor. It can affect the way your home makes you feel. One way to bring seasonal scent into your home is to make a stovetop simmer pot. For a cozy, autumnal scent, use cinnamon sticks, cloves and orange peels. I also found that simmering citrus peels during summer can help repel flies around your home.

Bring in fresh cuttings indoors. I love placing a few sprigs of fresh eucalyptus or lavender in a vase and letting the scent fill the room for days. If you have a diffuser, opt for nature-inspired scents like cedarwood and pine to bring in cozy forest vibes.

Propagate Indoor Plants for Free Greenery

Propagating plants is a great way to save money, as you’re using parts from plants you already have. Plus, it’s rewarding to watch your hard work turn into something beautiful.

Pothos, wax plants, philodendron and spider plants are notoriously easy to propagate. I use clean scissors to snip off a short piece of stem at a 45-degree angle, making sure it has a few leaves and at least one node — the small bump where leaves grow. Then, I put it in a glass jar of water, ensuring the node is submerged.

I use a clear glass tube to observe root development, but any container is OK. Place the stems in indirect light and wait for roots to form. Once they’re an inch or two long, you can plant them in soil.

Create Dried Flower Arrangements

Fresh blooms look gorgeous, but dried flower arrangements have a unique charm all their own. They last much longer and don’t change in shape or color. The best part? They don’t require any water or pruning.

Air drying is a simple yet effective method for preserving flowers. Simply gather your flowers, secure with rubber bands and hang upside down in a dark, cool and well-ventilated space. This process can take several weeks and works well for roses, lavender and statice.

You can pop your dried blooms in a vase or get creative and design your own wreath. All you need is a rattan wreath and a glue gun to put the flowers around the base. Start at the base and slowly work your way upward and outward, layering different colors and textures as you go.

Welcome Nature to Your Home

You don’t need a big budget or an interior designer to bring the outdoors into your home. Small yet meaningful design choices can greatly impact your home’s overall look and vibe. Try out a few ideas to add natural beauty to your home.