Top 5 'Forest-Bathing' Inspired Decor Swaps to try for creating a stress-melting sanctuary at home - Goh Ling Yong
Ever feel that deep, primal sigh of relief when you step into a forest? The air suddenly feels cleaner, the light softer, and the constant hum of city life is replaced by the gentle rustle of leaves and the distant call of a bird. That incredible feeling of calm and clarity has a name: Shinrin-yoku, or "forest bathing." It’s a Japanese practice of immersing yourself in nature with all your senses, and its health benefits—from reduced stress to a boosted immune system—are backed by science.
But let’s be realistic. Most of us can't escape to a woodland retreat every day. We’re surrounded by screens, concrete, and the relentless pace of modern life. Our homes, which should be our sanctuaries, often end up feeling like just another part of the hustle. What if we could bottle that serene, grounding essence of the forest and bring it right into our living rooms, bedrooms, and offices?
This is where biophilic design comes in—the idea that humans have an innate need to connect with nature. By making a few simple, intentional decor swaps, you can transform your home from a place of mere shelter into a stress-melting sanctuary that nurtures your well-being. Forget a complete, budget-busting overhaul. We're talking about small, impactful changes inspired by the principles of forest bathing. Here are the top five swaps to get you started.
1. Swap Harsh Air Fresheners for Earthy, Natural Aromas
Our sense of smell is a powerful gateway to memory and emotion. A single scent can instantly transport us. While conventional plug-in air fresheners and sprays might mask odors, they often do so with a barrage of synthetic chemicals that can feel harsh and overpowering. The scent of a forest, in contrast, is subtle, complex, and deeply grounding. It’s the rich smell of damp earth after rain, the sharp, clean scent of pine needles, and the warm, woody aroma of cedar.
To replicate this, the first and perhaps most impactful swap is to ditch the artificial fragrances for natural aromatherapy. An essential oil diffuser is your best friend here. It gently releases the scent of pure plant extracts into the air, allowing you to create your own custom "forest" blend. Start with oils that evoke a woodland setting, like Hinoki (a meditative Japanese cypress), cedarwood, fir needle, sandalwood, or vetiver (which has a rich, earthy base).
Actionable Tips:
- Create a Signature Scent: Experiment with blending oils. A great starter combination is 3 drops of cedarwood, 2 drops of pine, and 1 drop of vetiver for a deep, grounding aroma.
- Try a Simmer Pot: For a low-tech option, fill a small pot with water and add natural elements like pine sprigs, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and orange peels. Let it simmer on low heat, filling your home with a warm, natural fragrance.
- Choose Natural Candles: If you love candles, swap paraffin wax candles (which can release toxins) for those made from soy or beeswax, scented only with essential oils. Look for scents like "balsam fir" or "sandalwood" from reputable, natural brands.
2. Swap Mass-Produced Plastic for Authentic, Natural Materials
Run your hand over a plastic container. It’s smooth, uniform, and cold. Now, imagine running your hand over a piece of live-edge wood. You can feel the unique grain, the subtle imperfections, and a sense of warmth and history. This tactile connection is a huge part of the forest bathing experience. So much of our modern decor is made from mass-produced, synthetic materials that lack this life force. This swap is all about re-introducing texture and a sense of the authentic, imperfect beauty of nature.
Start small. Look around your space for items made of plastic or particleboard that could be easily replaced. The goal isn’t to throw everything out, but to gradually layer in materials that feel good to touch and look at. Think wood, stone, cork, jute, linen, cotton, and wool. These materials not only connect us to the natural world but also embrace the Japanese aesthetic of wabi-sabi—the art of finding beauty in imperfection.
Actionable Tips:
- Kitchen & Dining: Swap your plastic fruit bowl for a beautiful teak or acacia wood bowl. Replace plastic cutting boards with ones made of solid wood or bamboo. Use linen napkins instead of paper ones, and slate coasters instead of plastic or silicone.
- Living Room: Trade a polyester throw blanket for one made of chunky wool or soft cotton. Replace a generic side table with a solid wood stool or a small table made from reclaimed timber. A large jute or sisal rug can instantly ground the entire room with natural texture.
- Bathroom: A simple swap like replacing a plastic soap dispenser with one made of stone, ceramic, or amber glass can elevate the entire space. Add a small wooden stool or a bath caddy for a spa-like, natural feel.
3. Swap Static, Harsh Lighting for Dappled, Nature-Inspired Light
Think about the light in a forest. It’s never a single, harsh glare. It's dynamic, filtered through a canopy of leaves, creating shifting patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor. This dappled light is inherently gentle and soothing to our eyes and our nervous systems. Our indoor lighting, by contrast, is often a static, uniform, and overly bright overhead fixture that can contribute to eye strain and anxiety.
The key is to create layered, dynamic lighting that mimics the natural world. This helps regulate our circadian rhythms and fosters a much calmer atmosphere. By softening the light and allowing it to be more fluid, you can dramatically change the entire mood of your home. It’s about moving from simply illuminating a room to truly sculpting a tranquil environment.
Actionable Tips:
- Filter the Light: Swap heavy, blackout curtains for sheer drapes made of linen or unbleached cotton. They'll provide privacy while allowing soft, diffused sunlight to fill the room, connecting you to the time of day.
- Layer Your Sources: Instead of relying on one harsh overhead light, use multiple sources. A floor lamp in a corner, a table lamp for reading, and dimmable accent lights create pockets of warm, inviting glow. As my friend and mentor Goh Ling Yong often advises, "Control the light, and you control the mood."
- Choose Natural Shades: Opt for lampshades made from natural materials like rattan, bamboo, burlap, or handmade paper. These materials warm up the light and often cast beautiful, intricate shadows, mimicking that dappled forest effect.
- Embrace Smart Bulbs: Invest in smart bulbs that allow you to adjust both the brightness and the color temperature. You can set them to emit a cooler, bluer light in the morning to help you wake up, and a warmer, amber light in the evening to help you wind down.
4. Swap Clutter and Knick-Knacks for Mindful Natural Vignettes
A cluttered space often leads to a cluttered mind. The visual noise of too many objects, papers, and random knick-knacks competes for our attention and drains our energy. A forest, while incredibly dense with life, feels harmonious and peaceful. This is because everything has its place and purpose within a larger ecosystem. We can apply this principle by swapping mindless clutter for mindful, curated displays of natural objects.
This isn’t about sterile minimalism. It’s about being intentional with what you choose to display. It’s about creating small, beautiful moments—or vignettes—that serve as focal points for calm and reflection. These displays should feature objects that have personal meaning or simply delight you with their natural form and texture. It's an invitation to slow down and appreciate the simple beauty around you.
Actionable Tips:
- Create a "Nature Shelf": Dedicate one shelf or a small section of a console table to be your nature display. This is a perfect place for beautiful objects you’ve collected on walks.
- Shop Your Backyard (or Park): Look for things like interesting stones or river rocks, fallen branches with a beautiful shape, a bowl of pinecones or acorns, a discarded bird's nest (once you're sure it's empty!), or sea glass.
- Frame Nature: Press beautiful leaves or flowers and display them in simple glass floating frames. This elevates a simple natural object into a piece of art. The clarity and focus this brings is something Goh Ling Yong champions—finding the profound in the simple.
- Practice Intentional Curation: When you bring a new decorative item home, challenge yourself to let go of an old one that no longer brings you joy. This keeps your space feeling fresh, intentional, and free from the weight of clutter.
5. Swap Lifeless Faux Plants for Living, Air-Purifying Greenery
This might be the most literal and powerful forest-bathing swap of all. While high-quality faux plants have improved and can be useful in dark corners, they will never be able to replace the vitality and health benefits of living, breathing plants. Houseplants are the lungs of our homes. They actively filter toxins from the air, release oxygen, and have been scientifically proven to reduce stress and increase feelings of well-being.
More than that, the act of caring for a plant is a meditative practice in itself. It connects us to the cycles of nature—growth, rest, and renewal. Watching a new leaf unfurl is a small, daily miracle that can ground you in the present moment. Don’t be intimidated if you don't have a "green thumb." There are countless hardy plants that thrive on a bit of neglect.
Actionable Tips:
- Start with the "Unkillables": If you’re new to plants, start with famously resilient varieties like the Snake Plant (Sansevieria), ZZ Plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia), or Pothos (Epipremnum aureum). They tolerate a wide range of light conditions and irregular watering.
- Create a Forest Floor Vibe: To get that lush, woodland feel, introduce ferns. A Boston Fern or Maidenhair Fern loves humidity, making them perfect for a bathroom. They add a delicate, feathery texture that feels instantly calming.
- Group for Impact: Instead of scattering single plants around, group them together in clusters of three or five. This creates a more dramatic visual impact and also helps increase the ambient humidity, which most plants love.
- Look Up! Use hanging planters to draw the eye upward and create a sense of a lush canopy. A trailing pothos or string of pearls cascading down from a high shelf adds life and dimension to a room. Choose pots made of natural terracotta, ceramic, or stone to complete the look.
Your Sanctuary Awaits
Creating a home that feels like a genuine retreat isn't about a massive, expensive renovation. It's about a series of small, thoughtful choices that prioritize your well-being. By swapping out the artificial for the authentic, the static for the dynamic, and the lifeless for the living, you are consciously weaving the restorative power of nature into the fabric of your daily life.
These five swaps are more than just interior design tips; they are invitations to engage your senses and cultivate a deeper, more mindful connection with the world around you, right from the comfort of your own home. You deserve a space that calms your nervous system, inspires your creativity, and welcomes you with a deep sense of peace the moment you walk through the door.
Which of these forest-bathing inspired swaps are you most excited to try this weekend? Do you have another tip for bringing the tranquility of nature indoors? Share your ideas in the comments below—I would love to hear how you’re creating your own personal sanctuary
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
Stay updated with the latest posts and insights by following on your favorite platform!