Easy Ways to Add an Earthy Vibe to Your Space
Earthy tones, natural textures, and layered materials can instantly make a home feel cozy and inviting. Whether your style is modern or eclectic, adding organic elements creates a warm, grounded vibe. Here are some easy ways to bring earthy style into your space.
A Limited Color Palette
More than just neutrals, a restrained color palette limited to a few hues is ideal for an earthy space. A textural sofa from Verellen with a printed Amadi rug on the floor sets the right tone, while the rug on the wall has a bold graphic that makes the space pop, thanks to the black lines. The black elements are a strong addition that make the space feel modern and far from boring.
Greenery
The addition of greenery in any room is a good idea for many reasons, not the least of which is better air quality and improved mental health. Even low-maintenance cacti are a fabulous green accent for a natural space. This room has a minimalist neutral color palette yet has plenty of interesting details in the textures and materials that are used. Organically formed pottery, plenty of natural wood, hair-on-hide seating and super textural lighting fixtures transform what could have been a very basic space into a spot that is earthy and very inviting.
Fringe & Tassels
Fringe has generally been associated with a hippie vibe, but today’s fringe and tassels are upscale versions that add a textural accent to throws, cushions and even lamps. This marvelous light fixture features tassels of multiple lengths, each with a color-banded neck in navy and a gray-blue, which are ideal colors for accenting a neutral color scheme. Swapping out standard lighting for a pendant like this is an easy way to add more texture to a room.
Unexpected Natural Pieces
Fringe brings an earthy vibe to these playful pieces by Brazilian designer Marta Manente. An indoor swing offers a fun, soothing alternative to typical seating, perfect for gently swaying in a quiet corner. If a swing doesn’t fit the space, the fringed leather stool is a stylish, grounded option for adding natural texture indoors.
Nubby Upholstery
When creating a natural vibe it’s best to avoid textiles that are sleek, shiny and smooth. Especially for major pieces of furniture, choose upholstery options that have a good deal of texture. This plump chaise from Verellen is covered in a super-textural fabric that is soft, nubby and neutral.
Layer the Rugs
Layering rugs is a stylish way to add comfort and flexibility to a space. Start with a large, tightly woven neutral rug that extends past the front of your furniture. Then layer a smaller, bolder rug on top to easily change the look without replacing the larger piece. Hand-loomed options in natural fibers, like these from Amala Carpets, offer endless possibilities for mixing textures, colors, and patterns.
Textured Cushions and Pillows
Pillows, throws and cushions made with textiles that have plenty of embroidered textures, fringe and other elements are the absolute fastest way to add an earthy element to a room. This selection from Langdon Textiles is handwoven and ideal for adding texture and interest. Combine these with any number of other earthy elements and you’ll have a welcoming and natural space, cozy enough to see you through the coldest seasons.
Furs and Skins
Fluffy and inviting, sheepskins and fur pieces are another option for adding a big dose of texture to a room. Whether a piece of furniture is upholstered in the skin or whether it is used as a blanket or accent, the soft and comfortable material is very earthy. This bench from Blue Ocean combines a natural-looking wood with long-haired hide upholstery for a rustic accent piece. Another route is to just use a fur or sheepskin throw if a new piece of furniture is not in the budget.
Natural materials like sheepskin and leather are being used in some unexpected ways, such as on this lamp base. This provides another way to add texture to a room and is good choice if a sheepskin rug or throw is not an option.
Layered Textures in the Bedroom
The bedroom is ideal for creating an earthy, cozy vibe, and layering textures is a simple way to achieve it. This bed arrangement by Cloud 9 Design mixes natural fabrics with touches of shine and sparkle, keeping the look grounded with a monotone palette and a textural wicker headboard. Carefully chosen layers bring warmth, comfort, and subtle elegance to the space.
Organic Table Settings
For a temporary earthy vibe, an organic table setting is the perfect choice. Handcrafted ceramics, like the Mend collection from DBO Home, add natural texture and character to any dinner. Paired with natural centerpieces and textural linens, these hand-formed dishes create a warm, welcoming table for guests and special occasions.
Handcrafted, Artisan Furniture
One-of-a-kind, handcrafted furnishings always convey an earthy vibe, because they’re made of natural wood and typically show off the grain in some way. This beautiful Alma credenza from Dzierlenga F+U is a great example because of the unique wood, pale finish and artful hardware. Styled with some natural accessories as it is, shows how earthy this can look.
Wooden Lighting
When we talk about designers using materials in unexpected ways, wood in a lighting fixture is a good example. The shape of these pendants by Hollandslicht is modern but the earthiness comes from the warm, natural vibes of the wood. In fact, mixing styles and contrasting contemporary with rustic or traditional is another way to achieve an earthier space in a very modern way.
Artfully Featured Flaws
This stool from Ian Love Design is a hand-carved piece that highlights the natural grain and, moreover, flaws in the piece of wood. In today’s more conscious consumer society, reusing and recycling is big, so wood that has natural knots and kinks is now more acceptable. Actually, turning blemished wood and what previously would have been considered undesirable wood features into artful elements creates very natural and earthy designs.
Highlighting a Natural State
Less can be more when it comes to highlighting organic elements. Woodworker Mark Oliver crafted these tables to focus on the natural beauty found in a raw slice of wood, from the color variations to the inner cracks and the age rings. Using simple hairpin legs keeps the focus on the tabletops. Pieces like these are another easy way to add earthiness to a room.
Rustic With a Live Edge
Live-edge tables are a popular way to add a natural feeling to a room, and rustic, rugged versions can feel even more organic. Designer and woodworker Samuel Moyer focuses on using whole materials, flaws and all. The natural forms he handcrafts are very earthy and add a distinctive wood element to a space.
Rustic Wooden Accessories
Accessories are a key detail in crafting a room that has an earthy feeling but that doesn’t mean you need lots of tchotchkes. One grand statement accessory is all you need in the middle of a table or console to set the stage. These bowls from Mexico-based Rastro are a fabulous example. Set one of these rough-hewn bowls out and fill it with fruits, nuts or natural materials and you have an instant earthy upgrade.
Metal Accents
Staying away from glitz and shine does not mean you should shun metal accessories as a whole. Pots, bowls and other metal pieces that have an ethnic or time-worn appearance are very fitting accents for earthy decor schemes. These vessels from Roost are perfect for combining with textural fabrics and greenery. Metal with an aged appearance has just the right amount of shine to accent a room that has a natural vibe but does not veer into the modern and shiny.
Hefty, Rustic Elements
If the decor scheme tends toward the rustic, then there’s nothing more fitting to include than pieces made from upcycled materials. This lighting fixture is crafted from an old beam and handcrafted glass elements. It’s a hefty, substantial look that can be balanced with lighter pieces to prevent the overall space from having a heavy feel.
Global Natural Materials
Natural materials like rattan, wicker, and bamboo are staples of global design styles and perfect for adding an earthy feel to a space. These lanterns from Vagabond Vintage are an easy way to introduce natural textures into an existing decor scheme. Smaller accessories are an affordable alternative to larger furniture pieces when you want to refresh a room’s atmosphere.