There’s nothing like stepping outdoors and enjoying nature, whether it’s a hike through a forest, floating on a boat down a river, or simply relaxing in your backyard. You can bring this love of nature inside your home with one of today’s latest design trends – biophilic design. This design style strives to bring that feeling of the great outdoors, inside. When you refinish cabinets with N-Hance®, you can take advantage of this natural approach to home improvements, not only updating your cabinets but boosting your overall well-being.
What is Biophilic Design?
The word “biophilia” is actually Ancient Greek and translates into “love of living things.” It suggests that, at our core, human beings have an innate tendency to seek out a connection with nature because it is alive and vibrant.
As a result, the more connected we are to nature, the better we feel. An American biologist, Edward Osborne Wilson, introduced this hypothesis in his book, Biophilia (1984) stating that: “Humanity is part of nature, a species that evolved among other species. The more closely we identify ourselves with the rest of life, the more quickly we will be able to discover the sources of human sensibility and acquire the knowledge on which an enduring ethic, a sense of preferred direction, can be built.”
In today’s hectic world, though, the majority of people spend most of their time indoors. Over the years, and especially during the pandemic, we have become inside creatures living an urban or suburban life surrounded by noise and concrete. We spend our time staring at computer screens and gazing at our smartphones. As a result of constant stimulation, stress levels are on the rise as are mental and physical health issues.
The good news? Countless studies have demonstrated the benefits nature and natural elements have on our physical, physiological, and emotional health. Exposure to natural elements, even small, simple ones, like hardwood cabinets, can actually help you lower stress. In fact, research done in hospitals, offices, and schools has found that one little plant in a room can reduce stress and anxiety.
It’s why more and more architects, builders, and homeowners today are incorporating natural elements into their designs and buying decisions. This creates an oasis of calm and serenity, away from the noise and chaos of a modern, busy life.
How N-Hance Can Help You Take Advantage of Biophilic Design
When you refinish your cabinets with our team, we can renew their natural beauty. We’ll bring out their natural grain and textures with our unique approach. The end result will add warmth and comfort to your kitchen. At the same time, it also brings a touch of nature inside.
Retaining the wood tone of your cabinets can influence your mood and mental well-being. Add in a few botanical prints and a soothing paint color, like a soft mossy green or a sunny yellow, and you can have a kitchen that not only looks gorgeous but also contributes to a lower stress response.
Some other tips for bringing nature indoors include:
- Bring in live plants, which not only purify the air but also promote a calm and peaceful atmosphere.
- Open the windows so you have access to fresh air, can feel the cool breeze, and hear the birds in nature.
- Increase natural light in your kitchen by keeping window treatments up or open. This will help you feel more energized during the day.
- Install a small water feature or keep a playlist of nature sounds going to mask unpleasant noises, like outdoor traffic, add serenity to your home, and help you relax.
Biophilic Design is Better for You – And the Environment
When you choose to refinish your cabinets, rather than replace them, you’re also taking a more sustainable approach to home improvement. You’re reducing the number of trees that are cut down to make new cabinets. This helps to protect the habitats of wildlife, especially at-risk species that are dependent on forests for nesting sites and migratory corridors.
Not only does refinishing your cabinets protect our forests, but it reduces the amount of fossil fuels and energy needed to manufacture and transport new cabinets. This minimizes your carbon footprint and cuts down on waste that would end up in a landfill, so you’re further benefiting the environment.
Thanks to our innovative approach to cabinet refinishing, you can also expect minimal dust, odors and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). VOCs contain substances that, when vaporized, cause irritation to people and animals, as well as harm the earth’s ozone layer. This makes us the ideal choice if you have a household with children, pets, or a loved one with respiratory issues.
At N-Hance, we can help you re-purpose your cabinets in a way you love with a beautiful new finish. Meanwhile, thanks to our partnership with American Forests – the oldest national conservation organization in the United States – we will donate one tree upon completion of your project. We’re proud to lend a hand in restoring forests, preserving nature, and protecting wildlife. You can too when you choose N-Hance to refinish your cabinets.
When you want to refinish cabinets and bring a sense of nature inside, turn to the team at N-Hance. Call (855) 642-6230 to set up a FREE consultation.