Nature inspired décor for a new lease of life

Let nature into your heart and soul with ornaments that express your love of all things wild.

nature inspired décor

by Natalie Knowles |
Updated on

Nature inspired décor is all around us, from ornamental sea shells to the organic forms of whittled wooden furniture. The best garden accessories evoke the pleasing feeling of biophilia; our love of nature. Spending time in the garden - even for just #10greenminutes - can boost your mind, body and soul. Not to mention, our connection with nature is hardcoded into our DNA.

For example, there's an innate satisfaction that comes from the perfection of a spiral wind spinner, because the Golden Ratio of a spiral abounds in nature. From your inner ear drum to a galaxy, it's all spiral-shaped. Song lyrics spring to mind at the spectacle of a sunset or a snail's slow progress across a path. The perfection of the Fibonacci spiral has also been embraced by artists and designers both explicitly and tacitly in art and design. Think of the floral patterns of William Morris on an outdoor rug to be on trend with this season's maximalist style. Or, if the Strawberry Thief is a little dated for your taste, get inspired by the Land Art of Richard Long, and make aesthetically pleasing arrangements of driftwood and stones.

Natural decor and eco-conscious vibes can be embodied in the materials of your plant pots, garden ornaments and garden mirrors. Eschew plastic and textilene – opt for rattan, wood and earthy terracotta planters with scalloped edging. By choosing raw materials you can enhance your wellbeing through positive environmental psychology. Quite simply, entering your garden is like crossing a threshold from our sheltered, protected room into invigorating and reoxygenating nature.

The best nature inspired décor at a glance:

Best fossil garden ornament: Ammonite Décor – View on Dunelm
Best natural lanterns: Spiralites LED Lanterns, Set of 4 – View on Waitrose Garden
Best sunshine-inspired cushion covers: Dremisland Hello Sunshine Cushion Covers, Set of 4 – View on Amazon

We get a sense of contentment by putting our mark on a space, but we'd recommend making a positive and peaceful impact on your environment to enhance the nature within your garden. Indulge in the latest trend for cluttercore outdoors by bringing an eclectic mix of natural thingamabobs into your garden. Look for ornaments in flea markets that have gained a natural patina with age or use found objects in nature to make interesting patio sculpture, inspired by Earth Art artists like Robert Smithson. Memories are made by the objects we surround ourselves with and biophilic décor fulfils a peaceful philosophy of us being at one with nature.

Nature inspired décor

Best fossil garden ornament

Looking for the perfect golden ratio in a Fibonacci spiral? This resin Ammonite Décor is a replica of a fossil at the Natural History Museum and embodies the wonder of a logarithmic spiral, seen in certain spider webs and nautilus shells, and many more instances abound in nature. Meditate on this beautifully detailed ornament and draw inspiration from its chameleon tail form... or maybe it's the curl of a fern leaf? Isn't nature miraculous?

Customer review: "Brilliant garden ornament. It seems quite light but stays up to pretty strong winds."

Pros

  • A Natural History Museum replica
  • Weather-resistant
  • Detailed
  • Display indoors or outdoors

Cons

  • Note the dimensions as photos may mislead regarding the size of the ornament
Dimensions:W40 x L40 x H14cm
Material:45 per cent resin, 55 per cent stone powder
  • Ready Assembled
  • 1 year guarantee

Best natural lanterns

All the magic and whimsy of a Midsummer Night's Eve is captured in these Spiralites LED Lanterns from Waitrose Garden. What's more, they are solar-powered so there are no cables or faff switching them on. Let the sun bring them to life, as nature intended. Their spiral form is as synonymous with nature as the structure of a pine cone or the helicopter seed pods of a sycamore tree. Which is why we absolutely love these enchanting garden lights.

Pros

  • Solar-powered
  • Hang in a variety of places – no cables
  • Stylish and enchanting

Cons

  • No customer reviews
Dimensions:D12cm x H21cm
Material:Copper, LED lights
  • Solar-powered
  • Auto-illuminate

Best outdoor rug with palm motif

Bring paradise home with this stylish Outdoor Filifera Palm Pink Rug from Ruggable. Inspired by the palm trees that line the Californian coast, this durable and washable rug adds a tropical touch under your feet. Available in a range of sizes, there's an outdoor rug to suit your oasis, whether it's a jungle or a watering hole.

Customer review: "I love the rug. It’s exactly what we needed under our furniture."

Pros

  • Extra durable
  • Machine washable
  • Huge range of styles

Cons

  • None
Dimensions:90 x 150cm (150 x 215cm; 185 x 275cm; 245 x 305xm; 275 x 365cm)
Material:Polyester with a polyurethane water-resistant coating
  • Choose a standard rug pad or cushioned rug pad
  • Runners are also available in two sizes: 75 x 215cm and 75 x 305xm

Best tropical tableware

Alenka Floral 24cm Melamine Salad Plate
Price: $17.92 (was £28)

www.wayfair.co.uk

If you've bought the palm tree rug, you must have the tropical tableware to complement it. Add a touch of the tropics with this set of four Alenka Floral 24cm Melamine Salad Plates. These vibrant plates are part of a range of tropical jungle outdoor tableware, including bright melamine plates, bowls and platters. Scratchproof and shatterproof, these plates are ideal for family BBQs and picnics.

Customer review: "They are beautiful plates of fab quality. Not a full sized dinner plate but ideal for barbecue food where people go back for more. Lots of other matching items available too. I recommend them."

Pros

  • Durable
  • Won't chip or scratch
  • Stackable
  • Stylish and on-trend

Cons

  • Note the diameter as they are not a full size dinner plate
Dimensions:D24.1 X H2.01cm
Material:Melamine
  • Shatterproof
  • Dishwasher safe
  • Food-safe LG coating

Best butterfly décor

Incredibly popular on Amazon, Maggy Kay Gifts Decorative Garden Butterfly Fence Hangers are a versatile way of adorning any wall, shed, door, or fence with a token to nature. Make a happy space with these bright butterflies that are natural eye candy for your neighbours and add kerb appeal to any drab wall.

Customer review: "Bought to hang on bamboo screen in the garden, brightens up the bare area as waiting for plants to become established. Easy to hang, I just used a paperclip rather than a screw as put onto the bamboo wire. Liked these so much ordered a second set."

Pros

  • Popular on Amazon, received a lot of positive reviews
  • Easy to hang anywhere
  • Bright and cheerful

Cons

  • Note the dimensions as they are smaller than some customers expected
Dimensions:H7.7 x W11.5 x D0.5cm
Material:Metal
  • Keyhole hook on the reverse for wall hanging
  • May tarnish with age

Best garden décor inspired by nature

Connect yourself to the rest of the world through décor that inspires. We could write an essay on the philosophy behind these iconic Three Wise Garden Ornaments. Inspired by Confucious's Code of Conduct and sculpted into form by Hidari Jingoro at the 17th Century Japanese Toshogu Shrine. The Three Wise Monkeys depict what we have come to know as the saying: "See No Evil, Hear No Evil, Speak No Evil". This proverb has entered popular culture and decorative ornaments that come in many forms. Mizaru sees no evil, Kikazaru hears no evil, and Iwazaru speaks no evil. Contemplate your personal philosophy and bring happiness to your loved ones with these statuettes. Also available as elephants, squirrels, angels and Buddhas.

Customer review: "The three wise monkeys are absolutely beautiful, well worth the price. I opened them to have a look before wrapping them for my sister's birthday she loves monkeys so I know she is going to love them. They look great really well made good size on them not at all cheap looking or flimsy, Definitely 5 star would highly recommend them they are beautiful."

Pros

  • Detailed
  • Range of characters available
  • Great gift idea

Cons

  • Larger than expected
Dimensions:(Together) 38.5cm and approximately 23cm high
Material:Resin
  • Weather resistant
  • Waterproof
  • Fade resistant

Best vintage-style décor inspired by nature

If you haven't got time to make daisy chains to decorate your walls, how about these elegant flower-shaped hooks. Handmade and sold by Fyne Finds UK on Etsy, these enamel-painted coat hooks would look gorgeous paired with upcycled garden furniture or an old ladder as a space-saving way to display your beach glass, pressed flowers and Victorian bottle collection. Be aware that the hooks are sold individually and the cost for more than one hook is shown at checkout.

Pros

  • Handmade
  • Vintage vibes
  • Strong metal hooks

Cons

  • No review relating to this specific product
Dimensions:15 x 7cm
Material:Metal
  • Price is for one hook
  • Handmade
  • UK-based small business

Best nature-inspired plant pot

Decoupaged Bee Plant Pot
Price: $13.50 (was £15)

www.etsy.com

Swap the business of life for the busyness of bees with this Decoupaged Bee Plant Pot, hand-decorated by Mrs Wreath Design. Get the personal touch of a pretty plant pot that would look right at home in a cottage-core garden. The decoupage has been varnished so it's fine to put this pot inside or outdoors. Additionally, there are several bee-licious designs to choose from. What a wonderful gift idea.

Customer review: "Stunning plant pot which will make a lovely birthday present. The seller took great care in packaging everything safely. The plant pot is so pretty it’s almost too nice to use."

Pros

  • Beautiful gift idea
  • Range of designs available
  • A hand decorated touch

Cons

  • Some reviews have commented that the design is only on one side of the pot
Dimensions:H14 x W16cm
Material:Ceramic
  • Hand decorated in the UK
  • A range of designs are available

Best sunshine-inspired cushion covers

Daisies and sunflowers bring joy. Say "Hello Sunshine!" with this set of four Dremisland Hello Sunshine Cushion Covers. These lovely positive and affirmative cushion covers will brighten up any garden bench or summerhouse sofa. For contemporary boho bright good vibes, these are a crowd-pleasing set of designs. Be ware that you will need to have cushion inserts, as these are only covers. Additionally, they are not waterproof so they'll need to be stored inside.

Customer review: "These cushions looks artistic and expensive on our garden furniture - I don’t tell people how cheap they were! Love them."

Pros

  • Ideal for a conservatory
  • Range of designs available
  • Great value

Cons

  • Not weather resistant
Dimensions:18 x 18cm
Material:Soft cotton linen blend
  • Invisible zip
  • No design on the back

Best crystal décor

Natural Agate Slice Crystal Suncatcher
Price: $9.98 (was £24.95+)

www.etsy.com

Manifest happiness with this soul-stirring Natural Agate Slice Crystal Suncatcher. Natural crystals exude a positive and healing energy that resonates with our wellbeing. One can't help but feel uplifted by the light-catching facets of the coloured agate slices and crystal pendants. Discover the wonderment of nature in a prism of rainbow colours and reflect on your happiness in your outdoor sanctuary.

Customer review: "Absolutely beautiful, I love it! Exceeded my expectations and made this perfect for my daughter. Highly recommend these beautiful suncatchers."

Pros

  • Handmade from natural crystals
  • Gift idea
  • Positive wellbeing
  • Catches the light

Cons

  • Delicate, so hang in a sheltered spot
Dimensions:L40-45cm
Material:Natural Agate, crystal, alloys, jewellery chain
  • Several design choices to choose from
  • Handcrafted

What is biophilia?

Biophilia was coined by biologist E.O. Wilson and it means a love of nature and a need to interact with it and feel connected to "life and lifelike processes". The most wonderful way to think about it is that it's literally a love of life.

Make your own natural garden décor

How to make fern wall plaques:

Feeling creative? Geoff Hodge shares how to make stunning natural wall art from pressed leaves.

What you need:
Fern fronds
Absorbent kitchen towel
Books for weight when pressing
Sandpaper
Wooden board
PVA glue
Clear spray paint lacquer
Screws and string for hanging

The simple beauty of fern leaves makes for some divine DIY wall art. Start by pressing a fern frond between two pieces of absorbent kitchen towel, weighed down with a book for a couple of weeks. Sand the board, smoothing the edges and the front. Brush a thin layer of glue onto the back of the now-dry frond, starting at the midrib and working out to the tips. Position on the board and brush a layer of glue over the front of the frond.

To weatherproof, spray with clear lacquer once the glue is dry. To hang, insert two screws in the back of the board and tie on a length of string.

How to add a natural touch to plant pots:

Inspired to make more? Jules Barton-Breck explains how to add a natural touch to plant pots and more.

What you need:
A terracotta plant pot
Bright yellow acrylic paint
Bright yellow acrylic paint marker
Matt acrylic varnish
Nylon paint brushes

Paint your design on a terracotta pot using acrylic paint and fill in the details with an acrylic paint marker pen in a matching tone.

Turn a trad pot into an on-trend head-turner or match up that motley collection lurking behind the shed so they can have pride of place on the patio. Terracotta is a breathable material, allowing water and moisture to escape, and the type of paint you use will affect its porosity and so how much you need to water the plants in them. Masonry paint used without any primer or sealant allows the terracotta to breathe still, but won’t be so durable, whereas acrylic paint lasts longer and seals the pot.

To clean the pot thoroughly inside and out, brush down then wash in a soapy water mix and leave to thoroughly dry. Use a synthetic/nylon brush and apply the paint according to the manufacturer’s instructions, being sure to paint inside the rim. If you want to, seal the paint (and the pot) to increase durability with a coat of acrylic varnish.

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Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens, specialising in garden trends. When she's not flexing her mow-how, Natalie is a successful artist and illustrator.

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