More than ever, homeowners are looking to create spaces that feel deeply connected to nature—homes that offer a sense of calm, balance, and effortless beauty. But integrating the outdoors isn’t just about adding plants. True indoor-outdoor harmony comes from thoughtful architectural choices, material selection, and spatial design.
At our studio, we specialise in crafting interiors that embrace natural light, organic textures, and a seamless connection between architecture and landscape. Here’s how we bring the outside in.
1. Three Approaches to Bringing Nature Indoors
Layering Greenery: Botanic House
In this project, the family wanted to feel surrounded by nature every day, not just in the garden. To achieve this, we designed a plant-hanging shelf above the kitchen island, seamlessly integrating greenery as a permanent design feature.
Minimal sliding doors and large picture windows ensure uninterrupted garden views, allowing the changing seasons to shape the home’s atmosphere. The result? A space that feels calm, restorative, and effortlessly connected to nature.
Framing Views: Barks & Bliss
Rather than adding more greenery indoors, this project focused on architectural framing—using windows to enhance the natural setting.
A window seat was positioned to capture morning sunlight, creating a peaceful reading nook with views of the garden. A former patio door was replaced with a large picture window, maintaining a strong visual link to the outdoors, even during colder months.
Using Natural Materials: Essence of Japan
Inspired by Japanese aesthetics, this project embraced timeless materials that echo nature. Oak, lime paint, and Shoji paper screens were carefully chosen to create a space that feels grounded and harmonious.
Unlike synthetic finishes, these materials age beautifully over time, reinforcing the connection between the home and the natural world outside.
2. Key Design Principles for Bringing the Outside In
1. Blur Boundaries
Use minimal-framed sliding doors, skylights, and large windows to make outdoor spaces feel like an extension of your home.
2. Frame Nature Like Art
A strategically placed window can turn a single tree, shifting sky, or garden view into a focal point, adding depth and calm to your space.
3. Integrate Natural Materials
Select materials like wood, linen, stone, and textured finishes that evolve over time rather than degrade, creating a more organic environment.
4. Layer Greenery Thoughtfully
Beyond potted plants, consider built-in greenery—such as plant-hanging shelves, vertical gardens, or courtyards—to make nature an intrinsic part of your home’s design.
3. How to Achieve This in Your Own Home
- Identify which views in your home can be enhanced through new openings or better framing.
- Choose materials that complement the natural environment, avoiding high-gloss or artificial finishes.
- Consider how light moves through your space and adjust window placement or lighting accordingly.
- Work with designers who understand the balance between functionality and aesthetics, ensuring a seamless and timeless result.
4. The Lasting Impact of Nature-Inspired Design
A home designed to bring the outside in is more than just aesthetically pleasing—it enhances well-being, creates a sense of calm, and fosters a connection to nature that lasts a lifetime.
At Yoko Kloeden Design, we create interiors where architecture and nature exist in perfect harmony, crafting spaces that feel effortless yet deeply considered.
Want to explore how this can be achieved in your home? Get in touch to discuss your project.
The Result: A Harmonious, Multi-Functional Home
The completed project stands as a testament to Yoko Kloeden Design’s expertise in residential interior design.
Every space serves multiple purposes while maintaining a cohesive, calming aesthetic. From the versatile kitchen that hosts family meals and supper clubs to the serene loft bedroom, each area reflects our commitment to creating homes that are both beautiful and functional.
This Victorian terrace renovation in Brixton exemplifies how an interior designer in London can transform a traditional space into a modern, nature-inspired haven. By blending elements of Japanese interior design with practical considerations, we’ve created a home that truly brings people together.