Improve your wellbeing - bring the outside inside

In today's chaotic world a sense of peace and harmony is more important than ever. Our environment has a considerable impact on how we think and feel and the right surroundings have the ability to help us relax, rest and refocus. So what better time than spring to freshen up a home or work environment and re-align ourselves once again

A great way to create a naturally comfortable and serene environment is to think about getting more in touch with nature. With this in mind, here are a few tips for how to introduce a little of the outside, inside:

Plants

Not only do plants energise a bland room, they're proven to help reduce stress and absorb toxins. Consider yourself green-fingered? Then why not harness the mood-boosting power of gardening and make the most of your indoor space with a indoor window herb garden.

Water

An indoor water feature is visually stunning, but it is also widely believed that water has natural healing properties. With the soothing sound of trickling water acting as a meditation aid, it can even help improve sleep patterns.

Scents

With the ability to transform our emotions and heal our bodies, smell is one of the most powerful senses. So with this in mind why not introduce a little aromatherapy at work or home. Aromatherapy oils are created from essential plant oils and are really natural way to soothe, uplift, energise, relax or even stimulate the body. For a slightly cheaper option replace luxury oils with scented candles instead.

Real wood

A real wood floor is one of the biggest natural statements you can make in a room and the warm, natural tones and texture of wood emulate the outdoors. The variation in styles and colours of wood flooring is now greater than ever. Take a look at 1926 wood flooring for some great examples at prices that won't bust your budget.

Light

One of the great things about the outside is natural light and in the darker months of the year you may find the lack of light is affecting your mood. Floor-to-ceiling windows and skylights are two great ways to encourage every beam of natural of light into a room. If you look out to a green space or garden, large windows will create the illusion that the outside is part of the inside.

Interior designer Nicola Gobat at Gobat Interiors adds: 'We spend the majority of our waking hours indoors; (whether it's home or work).

'It makes sense to put wellbeing at the heart of a room's design. Colour, water, scent and texture can all be introduced quite simply into a room, creating a more personalised and motivational atmosphere.'