12 Ways to Bring the Outdoors In Without Adding Plants • Schisandra & Bergamot

You don’t need a jungle of houseplants to enjoy nature-inspired style. Whether you’re short on light, time, or green thumbs, there are plenty of other ways to invite the outdoors in.

These 12 ideas channel the beauty of nature—through texture, color, and design—without a single pot of soil in sight.

Use Botanical Prints or Wallpaper

A cream-colored chair with a floral cushion sits by a tropical-themed wallpapered wall, next to a potted plant, books, and a glass door. — Photo Credit: FollowTheFlowStudio/Envato

Leafy prints, floral wallpaper, or scenic murals instantly add an outdoor feel to any room. Try a bold accent wall or framed botanical sketches for subtle charm.

Decorate With Natural Materials

Cozy bedroom with a wooden headboard, rustic crate nightstands, decorative pillows, string lights, and wall art. A bowl of dried leaves sits on a small table in the foreground. — Photo Credit: bialasiewicz/Envato

Incorporate wood, stone, rattan, and linen into your furniture and decor. These textures echo the outdoors and add cozy, earthy character.

Hang Nature Photography or Landscapes

A person hangs a landscape photograph of mountains and a lake on a white brick wall in a bright room. — Photo Credit: Angelov1/Envato

Swap generic art for photos of forests, mountains, or wildflowers. Large-scale prints create a window-like effect and bring natural beauty inside.

Use Earth-Toned Color Palettes

A modern living room with a green sofa, orange and beige pillows, potted plants, a green armchair, a black coffee table, and wooden blinds on the windows. — Photo Credit: vanitjan/Envato

Paint walls or add accents in soft greens, browns, and sandy neutrals. These nature-inspired hues make your space feel grounded and serene.

Let in Natural Light

A cozy kitchen with a wood stove, large window, potted plants, a table set for two, and sunlight streaming in. — Photo Credit: Simol1407/Envato

Maximize sunlight by using sheer curtains or keeping windows clean and uncovered. Natural light is one of the easiest ways to feel connected to the outdoors.

Bring in Driftwood or Branch Decor

Wooden shelves on a wall display various air plants, driftwood pieces, small decorative objects, and potted greenery, creating a natural and rustic arrangement. — Photo Credit: westend61/Envato

Display pieces of driftwood, sculptural branches, or even birch logs as rustic accents. They make beautiful, minimalist centerpieces with natural flair.

Incorporate Water Features

A woman and a young boy stand by a stone fountain outdoors; the boy holds a lollipop and touches the water as the woman watches. — Photo Credit: Marinabars_photo/Envato

A tabletop fountain or small water element adds the calming sounds of nature to your home. Bonus: it can help humidify dry indoor air, too.

Add Textured Rugs Inspired by Nature

A minimalist room with a woven rug, a chair with sequin pillows and fringe throw, dried flowers in a basket, and two neutral-colored art pieces leaning against the wall. — Photo Credit: puhimec/Envato

Think jute, seagrass, or wool rugs with organic patterns. These materials feel great underfoot and reflect outdoor elements like grass or sand.

Display Dried Flowers or Grasses

A white ceramic vase with dried flowers sits on a wooden shelf, surrounded by various pottery and decorative items against a light-colored wall. — Photo Credit: shapoval08/Envato

Dried blooms like lavender, eucalyptus, or pampas grass offer natural beauty with zero maintenance. Style them in vases for effortless elegance.

Use Stoneware and Clay Accents

A wooden bench displays assorted neutral-toned ceramic vases and vessels, some with dried plants, against a beige wall with natural decor accents. — Photo Credit: FollowTheFlowStudio/Envato

Swap out plastic or glossy decor for ceramics, terra cotta, or hand-thrown pottery. Their raw textures and earthy tones bring a natural touch indoors.

Scent the Space With Essential Oils or Natural Candles

A lit green candle, a brown dropper bottle, a folded white towel, a pink flower, and green leaves arranged on a white surface. — Photo Credit: Yulia_Panova/Envato

Scents like pine, cedarwood, citrus, or fresh herbs can evoke outdoor environments. Use a diffuser or beeswax candles to add ambiance and freshness.

Frame Pressed Leaves or Ferns

Two framed botanical artworks: one with pressed purple flowers and yellow leaves in a red frame, and one with green leaves in a wooden frame, displayed against a white wall. — Photo Credit: westend61/Envato

Gather leaves from your yard or a nature walk and press them between glass frames. It’s an easy, artistic way to celebrate the outdoors without needing to keep anything alive.

No plants? No problem. These creative, low-maintenance ideas bring nature’s vibe indoors while keeping your space stylish, simple, and stress-free.