Being in a natural environment can feel calming and safe. While your kitchen must inevitably be indoors, you can bring some elements of nature inside during a renovation. Two organic materials that do this are timber and stone, which give a sense of timelessness. Plus, you can use glass to connect with the outdoors. Here are some ways to experience nature more fully in custom kitchens.

Bring Nature Inside

Using timber in a kitchen is a classic option. Hardwood planks come in blonde, reddish and chocolate tones using Australian hardwood species such as Blackbutt, Tasmanian Oak and Jarrah to blend with various colour palettes. Engineered planks are more stable and resistant than solid wood, as they have a plywood core. Plywood comprises alternating thin strips of wood glued with the grains at right angles. This structure helps prevent the planks from expanding and contracting along the grain of the wood strips as they face different directions. For this reason, engineered planks won't swell and shrink as much as solid wood floorboards.

Natural Stone

Natural stone will also imbue your kitchen with an ancient sense of timelessness. Stone chunks can be carved into tiles of different shapes and sizes. Use dark and hard granite for a traditional or utilitarian look. Add luxury with marble or an earthy, rustic quality with ivory and pink travertine or limestone. Stone can also feature on the splashback or benchtop. To create a unique look in your kitchen, place the stone somewhere unexpected. For example, construct a traditional or modern mantlepiece and line the wall underneath with stone tiles reminiscent of a fireplace surround. Or create a stone feature wall panel in a kitchen nook area.

Glass

Glass may not be found in the natural world, but it can be made from natural ingredients such as limestone, sand and soda ash. However, the beauty of glass in a kitchen is that it provides a view of the natural world. A skylight provides a vision of a bright blue sky, soft white clouds or an impending fierce storm. A glass-panelled back door leading to the garden lets you see trees, bushes, and flowers, depending on your garden. A view can give you a sense of being in nature simply because you can see and appreciate it.

If you want to create an unusual perspective, consider whether you can install a row of clerestory windows. Set high on the wall, these windows don't interrupt the design as much as standard windows, as you can fit cupboards or furniture on the wall underneath. If they open up to trees and foliage, they add a rustic element to a kitchen. But they're more subtle than expansive windows that cover an entire wall, and they offer more privacy.

For more information on custom kitchen design, contact a remodelling contractor near you.