It's no secret that nature has the power to inspire, invigorate, restore and refresh. Research shows that nature can offer mental health benefits including decreasing stress and relieving anxiety. In fact, incorporating elements of nature into the home has been proven to improve happiness and well-being. Following are five ways to invite the beauty and benefits of the outdoors into your home.

Get in touch with nature

According to the National Kitchen & Bath Association, 40% of people want a connection to nature in their kitchen. One way to achieve this is by choosing nature-inspired materials for focal areas like countertops, cabinets and kitchen islands. Wilsonart Home offers beautiful, on-trend options for virtually every surface in the home with performance features and price points to suit any lifestyle and budget. The collection includes environmentally sustainable materials such as High Pressure Laminates, seamless Solid Surface choices and non-porous engineered Quartz in designs that mimic the best of Mother Nature without impacting the environment.

Calm with color

Whether used as a room's canvas or a pop of color on an accent wall, paint is an easy and affordable way to evoke nature's beauty in the home. In fact, decorating with paint colors inspired by nature can bring a sense of calm and serenity to any living space. Dark blue hues reminiscent of water and the sky are trending, along with lush greens that infuse spaces with the fresh essence of grass and foliage, and nature's neutrals like tans and beiges that express earthiness.

Let textiles take you away

Natural fabrics and fibers are a great way to keep things, well, natural. Add a jute rug or chunky knitted wool throw to your space. When picking a fabric/ fiber, make sure to choose earthy tones inspired by nature. The Wilsonart HPL Textiles collection is another unique way to incorporate textiles that connect indoor spaces with the great outdoors. It offers a unique line of woven, nubby and printed textile designs that can bring an unexpected touch of nature to any surface or corner of the home, from kitchens to closets.

Add warmth with wood looks

The timeless look of wood is making a return to kitchens and baths but with a modern flair for a new generation. Think velvety, warm woodgrain looks gorgeously showcased in flat front doors with minimalist hardware. The Wilsonart Traceless collection is an affordable way to update kitchen and bath cabinetry with sophisticated woodgrain designs available in panel door styles with matching edgeband. The collection also features innovative fingerprint-resistant technology that eliminates smears, smudges and streaks, delivering lowmaintenance luxury.

Bring the outdoors in with natural accents

Nature itself offers an endless array of accessories that can be incorporated into a home's design aesthetic. Beyond the obvious addition of plants and flowers, consider creatively displaying rocks or shells collected from travels. Fill apothecary jars with sand from different beaches to add balance and harmony to a room. Or, mount pieces of unique tree branches on a wall as an artistic focal point. With nature, the possibilities are truly limitless.

For more information on home design trends, inspiration and surfaces, visit wilsonart.com/athome. (BPT)