Creating a Natural Home: Integrating Nature Through Water Elements
THE GROWING APPEAL OF NATURAL INTERIORS
Integrating natural elements into our interior space is a powerful way to add the essence of tranquillity, balance, and an overall sense of well-being into our living spaces. Today, there are so many of us who are embracing features like water elements as a way to introduce the soothing effects of nature into our spaces. This article is part of a two-part series on Creating a Natural Home, which explores exactly how water-based designs can help elevate interior spaces, combining therapeutic benefits with aesthetically pleasing decor.
WHY WATER ELEMENT DESIGN? THE HEALTH AND WELLNESS BENEFITS
Water features -like aquariums- offer so much more than just visual appeal; they deliver on therapeutic effects that enhance our well-being. To date, there have been numerous studies highlighting exactly how these natural elements, particularly water, can aid in the reduction of stress, improve our mood, and foster an overall sense of calm. The WELL Building Standard has placed emphasis on natural "blue spaces" (such as aquariums and water features) for their ability to positively impact mental health and emotional balance. According to these guidelines, introducing elements like aquariums can stimulate calming responses in the brain and even improve focus by reducing stress and promoting relaxation.
Green Aqua’s approach to aquascaping embodies this concept, allowing us to benefit from natural elements that transform both the look and feel of a space.
AQUASCAPING: ART MEETS NATURE IN YOUR HOME
One of Green Aqua’s specialties -and my absolute favourite- is the Iwagumi-style aquarium, this is a prime example of a water element design that balances nature with artistry. Informed by the traditional Japanese design principles, Iwagumi aquariums feature carefully arranged stones alongside minimalist plant life, the result; a tranquil, harmonious setup. Beyond their beauty, these aquariums can act as a dynamic piece of art that changes over time, offering homeowners and businesses a unique and evolving experience.
Tommy of Green Aqua shares what inspired them to include Iwagumi-style aquariums as part of their offering and how this aligns with creating a balanced home environment. “Iwagumi was one of the first styles developed in aquascaping. It originates from Japanese gardens, representing what’s called Wabi-Sabi, which is very hard to translate, but we usually refer to it as finding perfection in imperfect things. Iwagumi layouts have perfect balance without symmetry, which maybe difficult to comprehend, but has a very soothing effect on anyone.”
An Iwagumi-Style Tank, designed by Green Aqua
Image Credit: Courtesy of Green Aqua
This Iwagumi-style aquarium exemplifies the balance between natural elements and interior harmony.
THE SCIENCE OF SERENITY: HOW WATER ENHANCES INDOOR SPACES
Scientific research underscores the mental health benefits of having these natural elements strategically placed within our homes and place of business, with water features playing a pivotal role. Studies have found that even just observing water in motion can reduce our heart rate, decrease stress, and enhance our mental clarity. The WELL Building Standard further supports the inclusion of water elements to meet its Mind and Comfort criteria, aiming to improve both the physical and mental well-being of the individuals in a space.
Green Aqua’s aquariums definitely add that depth and tranquillity to interiors that we’re looking for, turning any room into a serene oasis.
We asked Tommy to describe how the presence of aquariums in a home environment helps to create a calming space, based on their experiences with clients or design principles, here’s what he had to say. “Aquariums themselves and the maintenance of them both have proven therapeutic effects. We experience this both first hand and through our customers and viewers on YouTube. We’ve had multiple letters from our followers describing how aquascaping helped them through difficult times, especially in mental health issues. An aquarium is a living, moving, evolving system which gives you something new to discover every time you look at it.”
INTEGRATING AQUARIUMS SEAMLESSLY INTO YOUR HOME
Choosing the Right Size and Style
Selecting the right aquarium size depends on your available space, the time you have to commit to it and the overall vibe you want to create. A larger aquarium may suit living rooms, while smaller tanks can create a peaceful ambiance in places like the bedroom or home office.Placement for Maximum Impact
Positioning is key, an aquarium placed where it receives indirect natural light creates a calm, gentle focal point without risking algae growth.Pairing with Complementary Materials
Aquariums work beautifully with materials like wood, stone, and metal, for example; enhancing the subtle, earthy tones of the Iwagumi style tank, bringing with it a cohesive, grounded feel to any room.
“We have customers who have their aquarium in a spot where you would normally have a TV, I think that explains a lot. Choosing a place for your aquarium has two aspects. First, you need a good environment, you don’t want direct sunlight to hit the tank, or anything warm next to it like a radiator or a fireplace. The other aspect is how special of a part you want the tank to be in your home. We prefer having it as the spotlight of the room, with nothing distracting around it. For this exact reason we are mainly using dark coloured cabinets under the tanks and don’t install any shelves or furniture close to them, we want the tank to ‘light up’ inside the space. Also, when you have a tank in your living room, it suddenly becomes your main light source as well, since we time the lighting period towards the evening, when you’re home and have a chance to enjoy the view. Sometimes, we also have house plants around or above the tanks, this way you can create a connection between the underwater space and your living space.” says Tommy of Green Aqua.
The balance of nature and design. Aquascaping by Green Aqua.
Image Credit: Courtesy of Green Aqua
An aquarium can act as a central feature in a living room or any other interior space. It should highlight the harmonious relationship between the aquarium, the surrounding materials, and the space itself.
COMMON HOMEOWNER QUESTIONS
For those new to aquarium care, water element design often raises questions about maintenance and the impact on our home environments:
Maintenance Tips: Green Aqua’s aquariums are custom-designed making them truly unique experiences. This means that some may require more care than others.
Tommy shares specific tips on how Green Aqua ideally suggests clients position and style their aquariums for the best aesthetic and natural effect. “Aquascapes or planted aquariums require regular maintenance. Our normal routine is 50% water changes every week. I know it sounds daunting, but for anyone interested in this hobby, it becomes your time-off from everything else and that 30-60-90 minutes – depending on the size of your tank – is where you can escape from your problems and enter into a very deep relaxation. Other maintenance regularities, like trimming plants highly depend on the actual style of the tank and plants used, some need frequent trimming, some can go for 4-5 months without doing anything other than water changes.”
Humidity and Air Quality: Water features offer a natural way to slightly increase humidity without compromising indoor air quality. Aquariums with plants further enhance air purification, promoting a healthier living space.
BRINGING NATURE HOME
With the rise of sustainable, nature-inspired design, water elements offer a unique way to create a calming, enriching space at home or work. From fostering mental health benefits to contributing to air quality, aquariums are a visually captivating and practical addition to any space.
If you're inspired to explore how water elements can enhance your space, reach out to us for a consultation or connect with Green Aqua via their website and visit their YouTube channel to discover their aquascaping solutions.
About the Authors
Dale Alleyne-Ho is the founder of Alleyne & Co. Designs, specializing in sustainable, nature-inspired interiors.
Tommy (Tamás Danyikó) represents Green Aqua, a leader in aquascaping and aquarium design.
