Blurring the Line to the Outdoors

As we are enjoying the warmer temperatures and can see signs of summer in the distance, have you ever thought about bringing more of the outdoors into your home? The most common option for reducing the separation in spaces is to add a large glass door, though that can become an expensive project.

Here are a few tips for things you can see, feel, hear, and smell to heighten your senses and blur the line to the outdoors, without inviting those pesky bugs in.

Water Fountains

I love the sound of the tide hitting the sand, though since we live in Central Ohio that’s not an
option. However, you could add a fountain to your patio or deck. The beautiful sound of running
water reduces stress and anxiety and makes you relaxed. You can also move the fountain
indoors during the winter to allow the sound of nature to make you feel connected to the
outdoors during the cooler months.

Flowers

Bringing the outdoors in

Add a container garden on your patio and use decorative water globes to help keep it watered
so you don’t have to tend to it as often. You can find decorative water globes at any garden
store, big box store, or Amazon. Container gardens gives your patio height to fill in the space so
it feels like an outdoor room. The flowers also make you more relaxed and happier, along with
several benefits to your health like lower blood pressure and heart rate.

Can you see it?

Many people love wood blinds and while they are beautiful, they do restrict a lot of the view and
natural light that can flow between the indoors and outdoors. Consider replacing your wood
blinds or heavy drapes with something lighter in fabric and brighter in color. One of my favorite
window treatments is top-down bottom-up blinds, you can see the sky and treetops without your
neighbors seeing you.

Unpleasant Views

If you have windows in one of the main areas of your home that look out to the side of your
neighbor’s home or patio, consider building a trellis outside the window. Place it 3’- 4’ off your
home and use a climbing plant to cover it with beautiful flowers. Some great trellis plants are
Clematis, Morning Glory, Black-Eyed Susan Vine and Climbing Hydrangea. This will completely
change your view so you can enjoy the space more and also give you a view to nature from
your window.

Wind Chimes

Add some music to the air with a soothing sound that calms your mind and helps you to relax.
Whether they are made from copper, metal, bamboo or iron, they all make unique sounds that
are beautiful. They allow you to hear if there is a gentle breeze outside or if it’s a windy day by
the intensity of the sound. The pleasing sounds also provide the perfect contrast to the noises in
your neighborhood.