Does bringing nature into the home actually improve your mood?

Peace lilies in my living room. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2021.

This blog article has been a long time in the making. My whole business model is based on the notion of “nature-inspired”! But does having natural and organic elements in the home make a difference in how we feel? Does it improve our mood? And why do I have such a passion for creating nature-inspired home decor? ​

I’m pondering this topic in a pragmatic rather than scientific sense.

I’m a lifelong sufferer of anxiety and depression, and probably some form of PTSD born out of childhood trauma. I’ve tried medications, meditation, yoga, exercise, healthy eating, and positive affirmations, and they have each helped in their way but do not come close to how much better I feel when surrounded by trees. Unfortunately, I now live in a suburban hell, which is only slightly better than the urban hell of my youth...But I do live in this beautiful state of Pennsylvania—a state filled with natural beauty, trees, farms, mountains, and hiking trails. When we do finally decide to relocate, there are plenty of options! But, for now, I have to settle for making my home as comfortable and pleasant as possible using what I have.

Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, Wellsboro, PA. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2021.

For many years, I have tried to keep small gardens, which keep me busy during the warmer months. Gardening gets me outside and out of my head and allows me to photograph beautiful things. Over the past couple of years, I started considering my indoor environment. Houseplants and indoor herbs have become a staple in my home, with varying degrees of survival. I don’t have the greenest thumb in the world, but I can grow a thing or two!

Summer garden in my yard with bushy mint plant. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2021.

Small haworthia plant. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2021.

In addition to live plants, my interiors are filled with faux florals and faux floral decor that I designed and created. Blending real and faux florals seems perfectly natural to me. But I often wonder—is there a difference between the real and the faux? Can nature-inspired decor have the same or similar effect as the real thing? And does having houseplants have the same positive effect as an outdoor garden? That question has intrigued me since starting this nature-inspired decor “experiment” several years ago.

Faux hydrangea flowers. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

Septemeber Vibes handcrafted lantern candleholder by Di's Studio Designs. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

​Our modern lives are toxic and artificial in almost every way, which has harmed our physical, mental, and spiritual health. I can personally vouch for that! That being said, the ability of humans to create our own built environment is fascinating to me. 

The crossroads between the natural world and the built environment is what holds the most interest to me. I love design. I love architecture, art, interior design, and decorating (I did go to school for interior design, after all!), all of which are artificial constructs. Creating nature-inspired home decor has been the ultimate exploration of how to bring balance to these two opposing worlds.

Fallingwater, Mill Run, PA. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2013.

What I know is this…

I love observing the beautiful flowers, plants, and trees when sitting in my garden. I am fascinated by nature’s creative shapes, hues, texture, and scale. Mother Nature really IS the ultimate designer and artist!

Summer vinca flower. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2021.

Mimicking nature’s skilled hand is quite challenging, but the effort has been the backbone of my handcrafted floral designs for seven years. It’s always a challenge to strike the right balance between man-made elements and the natural world!

Admittedly, there isn’t the same depth of experience with faux florals as with real flowers in a garden. The comparison is equivalent to actually taking a hike through the woods versus sitting on your couch watching a YouTube video of someone walking through the woods. When you hike, more of your senses are triggered, making it a totally immersive experience. But sometimes the visual representation—if that’s all that’s available to you—is all the reminder you need that we are creatures of nature under the skin.

Image by schepniy from AdobeStock.

​But does having plants, flower arrangements, and faux florals in the home have the same benefits as being in nature? Does surrounding yourself with representations and small samples of the real thing do anything to make you feel better in your interior spaces?

My answer--Both my houseplants and my faux floral creations make me smile. The moment spent checking on the growth of one of my latest plant babies can bring me as much joy as admiring the beauty of my floral decor.

Ponytail palm. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2021.

In the past, my home was not filled with anything resembling organic or natural elements, and I didn’t realize just how barren the space felt…until one day, I filled that space with plants and faux floral decor. All of a sudden, it was like somebody turned on the lights! The difference in the mood of the space was immediate. Suddenly—and dramatically—there was life where previously there was emptiness.

English Cottage handcrafted fairy house with faux florals. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

And the live plants in my home allowed me to be a caregiver, and that’s more powerful than people realize. When you care for another being (in this case, my houseplants), the experience takes you out of your head for a while and forces you to focus on the moment, to be present. Being present and engaging in activities that promote mindfulness are ancient ways of coping with stress, depression, and anxiety.

Money tree. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2021.

​So, in answer to my question, yes…In my experience, bringing a bit of nature into the home—whether real or faux, or even a mixture of both—goes a long way to helping us feel more relaxed, calm, and even energized. My home felt like a dark hole until I gave it “light” with plants and flowers. I do feel better in my surroundings. My creativity has also greatly benefited from having an interior that makes me feel calm and relaxed. My home is where I both live AND work. I no longer feel suffocated, empty, or claustrophobic. It’s been a game-changer!

I know this is not a scientifically backed answer (although I have read many articles on the subject), but it IS my own experience, and I believe what I see. All I can provide is my own experience, and it has been a positive one!

And so I think I leave this mental meandering on that note and leave you with a quote from one of our country’s greatest naturalists, John Muir:

“Everybody needs beauty...places to play in and pray in where nature may heal and cheer and give strength to the body and soul alike.”

Leiper-Smedley Trail, Wallingford, PA. Photo by Diane M. Lilly, 2022.

What are your thoughts on this topic? Do you have your own experiences to share? Drop a line in the comments, and let’s start a conversation!




​Sources:
https://e360.yale.edu/features/ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-benefits-your-health
https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-does-nature-impact-our-wellbeing
https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_nature_makes_you_kinder_happier_more_creative
https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature
https://selecthealth.org/blog/2019/07/10-reasons-why-being-in-nature-is-good-for-you
https://www.webmd.com/balance/ss/slideshow-health-benefits-nature
https://positivepsychology.com/positive-effects-of-nature/

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