When you think about the most calming homes, they almost always have one thing in common — a connection to nature. Incorporating greenery into your renovation doesn’t just add visual softness; it improves air quality, creates a sense of calm, and blurs the boundaries between indoors and out.
At Style Curator, we’re huge advocates for biophilic design — the idea of designing with nature to enhance wellbeing. Whether you’re planning a new build or updating an existing home, there are countless ways to weave a connection to nature into your design plan. Keep reading for our top ways to create an indoor outdoor connection.
Related article: 10 external building materials you may not have considered using
Related article: A sleek new build with modern design and sophisticated style
At a glance: Key ways to design greenery into your renovation
We’ll delve into our favourite ways to design greenery into your renovation or even new build, including:
- frame your outdoor plants with picture windows or green splashbacks
- bring the outdoors in with internal courtyards or garden-facing glass doors
- add function and freshness with mini indoor herb gardens
- go bold with living or green walls as a statement feature
- layer in smaller touches like built-in planters, hanging gardens, or natural materials that echo the outdoors.
1. Picture windows
A strategically positioned picture window can make greenery the hero of your interior design. Instead of looking at a fence or neighbour’s wall, plan your window layout to overlook lush planting or a vertical garden. Even in tight spaces, you can create a green outlook such as with a climbing jasmine green wall that can be attached to fences or exterior walls.
This idea is particularly striking in kitchens, where a window splashback can look out to an exterior green wall — allowing natural light to pour in and offering a living artwork that changes with the seasons. However, it is an incredibly versatile design idea that works in so many different scenarios. Think a large square picture window living room that looks out to the backyard or a fixed bedroom window with views to a mini Japanese courtyard garden.
Designer tip: Use window frames that complement your interior palette — black steel for a contemporary look or timber for warmth and texture.
2. Courtyards
Designing around a central courtyard or landscaped void can transform the way your home feels. Internal courtyards invite natural light deep into the floorplan and create sightlines to greenery from multiple rooms.
If you’re extending or building new, plan for operable glass doors or sliders that open onto these spaces. For example, large bifolding or stacking doors or windows. It’s one of the most effective ways to achieve that seamless, idealistic indoor-outdoor flow you’ve always dreamed of!
Bonus idea: Add seating, sculptural plants or water features to turn these pockets into peaceful retreat zones visible from living areas.
3. Mini herb gardens
Why not incorporate mini herb gardens into your kitchen by building a planter box into a windowsill, or allowing for a recessed section in your benchtop to sit pot plants into? A small indoor herb garden is both practical and stylish, elevating the design of your kitchen.
Another option is to design open shelving into your kitchen that you can sit herb plants on. We offer plenty of tips to style your open kitchen shelves here and our kitchen measurement cheat sheet is also worth a read.
Just keep in mind the environmental requirements of your herbs (ie the type and amount of natural light they need to thrive) as this will indicate what type of plants will be best suited to you, and where they should be located.
You can find loads of helpful tips to keep your plants alive here.
4. Interior green wall
Definitely not for the faint hearted — but if you are willing to commit to maintenance and upkeep, an internal green wall could be a show-stopping addition to your home. They offer so much texture, movement and wow factor — a serious hero design element!
We recommend getting a professional landscape architect or horticulturalist to design and install such a feature. There are just so many elements to consider, such as what plant species are suitable and proper drainage, for your green wall to thrive (indoors and out!). But the result when done right? A living piece of art that purifies the air and elevates your home.
5. Internal planter gardens
For those of us who seriously love plants (and have the ability to keep them alive!), designing a fixed planter garden into your home’s design is one of our favourite ways to create that indoor outdoor connection!
Eve from Dot + Pop created a beautiful feature in her upstairs void by installing a planter garden along the balustrade. The cascading greenery softens the hard lines of the space, creating a striking focal point that can be enjoyed from both levels of the home.
Another way to incorporate living greenery into your design is with a fixed garden in your bathroom. Choose plants that thrive in humidity, such as ferns, monstera, pothos or peace lilies, to add freshness and a calming, spa-like feel to the space.
Remember: Designing greenery into your renovation isn’t just about adding plants — it’s about creating harmony between your home and its surroundings. Whether through window views, courtyard design, or lush indoor gardens, nature can play a powerful role in making your home feel grounded and alive.
Have you been inspired to design greenery into your renovation? What’s your favourite way to incorporate greenery into your home or do you have another suggestion to add to the list?
