Bringing the Outdoors In: Timeless Design Inspired by Nature

A serene living room opens up to the outdoors, blending natural textures and soft, neutral tones to create a space that feels fresh, airy, and inspired by the landscape just beyond.

As the landscape around us begins to bloom, there’s often a quiet urge to refresh our surroundings too—to clear out the heaviness of winter and invite in something lighter.

Here in New England, where the seasons make their presence known in the most beautiful ways, we’re especially attuned to those subtle shifts. Spring arrives with soft greens, longer days, and that unmistakable sense of new energy, and it’s only natural to want our homes to reflect that.

At Justine Sterling Design, we approach this more than just a seasonal refresh, but as an opportunity to create spaces that feel connected: to nature, to light, and to how we want to live every day.

Whether you’re updating a single room or rethinking your entire home, these thoughtful design ideas can help you bring the outdoors in, naturally, and in a way that feels like it’s always belonged.

1. Choose Natural Materials That Tell a Story

There’s something timeless about materials that come from the earth. Wood, stone, clay, and linen bring a sense of calm and character that synthetic materials simply can't replicate. We love incorporating pieces with texture and depth, like an oiled oak table, a honed marble countertop, or a handwoven rug underfoot.

These materials tend to age beautifully, developing a patina that reflects how your home is lived in over time.

In the Coastal Dream Home project, Justine Sterling Design demonstrates how natural materials can bring warmth, texture, and livability to a refined family space.

2. Make the Most of Natural Light

One of the most transformative elements in any space is light. The way it filters in during the day, shifts through the seasons, and interacts with color and texture can completely change the feeling of a room.

Even small adjustments, like choosing lighter window treatments, adding a mirror to reflect light, or painting a wall in a soft, light-catching finish, can open up a space and make it feel more connected to the outdoors.

Justine Sterling Design brought a fresh, airy sensibility to the Melrose Kitchen, using layered textures and soft hues to enhance natural light and reflect the homeowner’s love of gardening and nature. “Classic and Clean Kitchen,” as featured in Northshore Magazine and Boston Magazine

3. Bring in Greenery, Large or Small

Plants instantly make a space feel more alive. While a statement fiddle leaf fig still has its place, we’re seeing more clients gravitate toward layered, low-maintenance greenery: trailing vines on open shelving, sculptural branches in oversized vases, or a few herbs tucked by the kitchen sink.

The goal isn’t to turn your home into a greenhouse, but rather to use greenery as a design layer—just like you would with lighting, art, or textiles.

By drawing on greens from the surrounding landscape and layering them throughout the home, Justine Sterling Design gave this Winchester colonial a warm, nature-connected energy that still feels modern and relaxed.

4. Incorporate Artwork and Objects with an Organic Feel

Bringing nature inside doesn’t have to mean floral prints. Art inspired by landscapes, abstract pieces in earthy tones, or sculptural ceramics with imperfect forms can all echo the outdoors in quiet, sophisticated ways.

We also love styling with natural objects: a stack of weathered stones on a tray, driftwood from a beach walk, or a bowl of seasonal fruit. These small details tell a story and add soul to a space.

For the Rhode Island Coastal project, Justine Sterling Design used art and organic elements to evoke the beauty of the coastline, making the home feel like an extension of its surroundings.“Reimagined Rhode Island Escape Welcomes Visitors to the Shore,” as featured in Ocean Home.

5. Think in Terms of Nature’s Palette

Colors found in nature are often the most versatile. Soft greens, warm taupes, stormy blues, and sun-washed terracottas all help ground a space while keeping it light and inviting.

Rather than focusing on a single “pop” of color, we often layer tones from the same family to create depth. The result feels effortless but intentional, like the colors just belong there.

In the Brookline Modern Victorian Phase 1 project, Justine Sterling Design used a vibrant palette of blues and sunny yellows to create a fun, welcoming atmosphere.“A Brookline Victorian Gets a Big Dose of Color,” as featured in Boston Home magazine.

6. Design with All the Senses in Mind

Nature is a sensory experience, and your home can be too. The feel of a chunky knit throw, the scent of fresh eucalyptus in the shower, the sound of a breeze rustling linen curtains—all of these small moments add up to a space that feels nurturing and alive.

We think about this sensory layering from the very beginning of a project, because it’s often what turns a house into a home.

Justine Sterling Design focused on thoughtful material choices and functional design elements to create a space in the Coastal Dream Home that engages the senses and fosters relaxation.

Bringing the outdoors in isn’t about trends; it’s about creating a home that’s in tune with the world outside your windows. When you design with nature in mind, you create a space that feels calm, connected, and deeply personal.

Whether you’re starting with a blank canvas or making a few thoughtful updates, our team is here to help you design a space that connects with nature and feels both inviting and timeless.

If you’re looking for personalized advice on how to bring more of the outdoors into your space, we’d be happy to assist. Reach out, and let’s chat!

Warmly,
Justine