Eco-style in the interior – closer to nature

Recommendation points

• Colour
• Finishing
• Furniture
• Nature into the house
• Decor elements

One of the most fashionable modern trends is the so-called eco-style in the interior, which takes its name from the Greek eikos – habitat, house. The ecological or “green” style in design is more popular today than ever, allowing you to get closer to nature even in the center of a huge metropolis.

Designers emphasize that eco-style is an attempt in a human habitat, that is, in a city apartment, to create a corner of nature where you can take a break from concrete and asphalt.

The eco-friendly interior is opposed to everything cold and artificial, as close as possible to natural forms and materials. The main task of eco-style is to create a very simple, but functional and at the same time cozy interior..

What are the main characteristics that distinguish this direction of interior design? How to create an eco-friendly corner in a regular living space?

A striking example of eco-style. It seems that nature came to this open terrace, which serves as a recreation area, becoming the main element of interior design.

Colour

Since the “green” style of interior decoration assumes the maximum possible approximation to the environment, you will not find too bright, artificial, “acidic” shades or sharp, contrasting colors in it..

Eco-style palette is:

1. Beige and brown, as well as all other shades of earth and stone.
2. White, as a symbol of purity and a corner of nature untouched by the human hand, the color of clouds and freshly fallen snow.
3. Dark and black wood. In general, the entire rich range of natural wood shades is used as widely as possible..
4. Delicate, pastel shades: creamy, milky, pale pink (the color of not yet blossoming buds or flowering apple trees).
5. Pale blue, calm and rather cold color of a clear sky.
6. All shades of green, the color of young grass washed with dew, as well as darker leaves and shoots.

As you can see, all the colors of this design direction are tied to shades “a la nature”, which have arisen by themselves, without human intervention..

Natural wood of windows, pale green color of curtains, white-brown bedspread with a modest pattern – the whole natural palette of eco-style in action

Very warm, literally enveloping, home interior, all kept in a sandy, beige, light palette

Finishing

The ancestors of the “green” design direction are considered to be Scandinavian-style interiors, also striving for simplicity and naturalness, straight forms and natural materials, and Japanese style, contemplative and close to nature.

Of course, eco-style finishes strive for the maximum possible use of natural materials, so we can confidently say that:

1. The “green” floor is natural stone or terracotta tiles in natural shades. Wood parquet is also extremely in demand in eco-style, in the production of which not only traditional European types of wood, but also exotic ones, as well as cork and bamboo known for its durability can be used. The combination of dark and light types of wood makes it possible to experiment with the appearance of the floor. Planks that have retained their texture and color can also make a great flooring in a green interior. Yes, laminate, if it successfully imitates natural wood, may well be used in such an interior – this is the most economical option of all of the above.
2. Eco-style walls are often decorated with wood panels, as well as simple paper natural wallpaper with a small floral pattern, without large patterns and bright prints, and even better – without a pattern at all, in plain colors. You can also add ceramic tiles, especially in the kitchen and bathroom, use white or cream-colored plaster, finishing stone or cork. Two more unusual, but completely natural materials that can be used for wall cladding are reed wallpaper and river stone.
3. The eco-friendly ceiling is usually white, it is possible to use drywall, whitewash or paint. The stucco molding is out of place, as are the lush cornices from the classics. An excellent solution would be wooden beams on a light ceiling..
4. Interior doors made of lightweight solid wood or finished with wood veneer. Window frames are also wooden, plastic, especially traditional white, is inappropriate and can ruin the whole image.

As you can see, the choice of finishing options is quite large, the main thing is, remember – no plastic, concrete and chrome, which are strongly associated with high-tech, industrial and office premises..

Stone-faced fireplace, wood paneling on one of the walls, plain paper wallpaper without a pattern and a floor that does not need additional decorations – the eco-style finish is varied and allows you to combine different surfaces

Wooden ceiling with exposed beams matches perfectly in color with the facades of the kitchen unit, as well as lighter floorboards

Furniture

Particleboard and MDF, of course, are trying to imitate wood, but in eco-style furniture is always made of natural wood, and even better – solid wood. Stools or small tables made of a saw cut from a trunk, marble or natural stone countertops are ideal for a “green” interior.

At the same time, do not confuse eco-style and country. The latter, of course, also strives for natural materials, abounds in handicrafts, loves beams on the ceiling and stone trim. However, country is much more colorful, replete with decor and textiles, based on well-established traditions, it can confidently be called a retro style.

The “green” interior meets modern trends, so there is not much furniture here, and carvings are not so common.

If solid wood furniture seems too solid and bulky to you, rattan products will help to lighten it. Natural wood, exotic rattan, and durable bamboo are quite expensive options. A relatively cheap alternative can be pine or larch furniture in the Scandinavian style..

A light, light, all-natural set has become the main decoration of this very natural kitchen. And the dark oval table in the classic style turned out to be very appropriate, although it stands out from the overall picture.

Eco-style motto – the more natural, the better. Therefore, furniture legs can be real tree trunks, even with bark. It looks unusual, but beautiful, especially if such a wide leg is clearly visible under the glass top of the round table.

A bundle of brushwood instead of a table leg became the main decorative element of the interior

Wicker furniture, excluding plastic imitations, will look especially harmonious in eco-style

Of course, one cannot do without upholstered furniture in eco-style, only the upholstery of sofas and armchairs should be kept in natural colors, without motley spots, bright ornaments and patterns. By the way, leather furniture in a “green” interior is extremely rare..

Nature into the house

Lighting in any interior plays a crucial role, but eco-style seeks not only to provide maximum sunlight – it literally lets nature into the room.

Huge French windows and panoramic glazing allow you to freely admire the surrounding landscape. If a country house is set up in a “green” style, then it is very desirable that an exit to the garden be in every room.

Of course, it is not easy to achieve the effect of living in nature, and in a city apartment it is often simply impossible. However, if the eco-style is nevertheless chosen to decorate the dwelling, it is necessary to strive for this, at least by expanding the window openings or using the most transparent, air curtains that do not hide the pretty landscape outside the window.

A perfect example of eco-style in a country house. Relaxing surrounded by a shady forest, enjoying solitude and merging with nature is beautiful, isn’t it? But it is also unusual – for the townspeople, who traditionally close the windows tightly in the evenings, hiding from their neighbors from the house opposite, it may seem that they have become an exhibit on display

Exit to the garden from the bedroom and a panoramic window that occupies almost the entire wall – this is how you can “invite” nature into a human dwelling

Of course, it is much easier to open doors to nature if a seascape or a green grove opens outside the window. Hiding such beauty behind blackout curtains or blinds is a real crime.

Decor elements

As for the rest of the design elements of this style, fresh flowers and indoor plants play a huge role. In addition, a terrarium, aquarium or a cage with feathered inhabitants will ideally fit into the eco-style – the more there is really wildlife in the room, the better..

Flowers in a “green” interior can grow not only on windowsills, but also take a central place in the living room or even in the corridor. Just provide them with enough light and don’t forget to pay attention to your living design elements.

From textiles, it is worth giving preference to cotton, chintz, matting, coarse wool and flax, that is, natural, undyed fabrics, which are considered the height of sophistication in eco-style.

An excellent decoration can be a ceramic floor vase, dishes of rounded shapes and soft shades, a mat on one of the walls or serving as a Roman curtain, a traditional floor lamp, a floral panel, ikebana, a beautiful landscape in a simple wooden frame.

It is worth noting that there are few decorative elements in an environmentally friendly interior, only the necessary minimum, which will make housing more comfortable and attractive..

This cozy bedroom does not need additional interior details – everything is simple, but tasteful. The massive bed itself serves as a decorative element, and the unusual bouquet in the floor vase became the finishing touch

The combination of wood and ceramic tiles in this bathroom looks very natural. And the plumbing was chosen precisely in beige, since cold white would not look so harmonious

Once again, I would like to emphasize that eco-style has much more in common with minimalism than with country and ethnic interiors. This is a modern design direction that appeared only at the end of the twentieth century, which seeks to reflect the natural beauty of materials and textures by using a small amount of details..

Green style will suit those homeowners who are on the lookout for new trends, enjoy the outdoors, and care about the environment. The eco-style interior is always beautiful and functional, absolutely safe for the inhabitants of the house. Its main disadvantage is the high cost of natural finishing and furniture. From this point of view, eco-style can be compared to buying organic products in a specialty store – yes, more expensive than in a regular supermarket, but it is tastier and much healthier.!