Forest Bathing Is The Answer To Your Concrete Blues

The term ‘forest bathing’ may seem like a misnomer, but a meditative walk in the forest may be all you need to realign yourself with nature and break away from the hubbub of the world. But what if a soul-cleansing walkabout during the workweek simply isn’t possible? This design trend may be a (temporary) solution to help assuage the stress of the everyday hustle.

The healing practice of forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, was developed in Japan in the 1980s. Contrary to the word’s connotation, it doesn’t actually involve bathing or water at all, but rather a long, mindful walk in the forest. Japanese researchers have essentially proven its therapeutic benefits, especially when comparing a walk through a cityscape and a forest setting, citing that it lowers blood pressure and reduces stress hormones in both men and women.

But what about those who can’t catch a break from the urban jungle? What if you could bring the forest inside the home?

Pixers, a group of designers specializing in the personalization of interior spaces, created a series of calming “forest bathing motifs” as a “supplement to the time spent in nature’s surroundings.” The wallpaper designs feature rich green colors with intertwining shades and are definitely on-trend for 2017. Similarly, Brooklyn’s hippest bespoke wallpaper company, Flavor Paper, has also tapped into the zen-design trend with their classic bestselling motifs, such as Wild Thing, Old Growth, Canopy, Fuzzy Forest, and more.

With Pantone’s “Color of the Year”cited as “Greenery,” all signs point to interior design becoming more wellness-focused. The trend emerges from a deep, cultural need to reconnect, rejuvenate, and refresh and can be seen in everything from green product design to record-breaking forest cities. It also points to the fact that if you’re feeling nature-starved as of late, you’re definitely not alone.

Want more wallpaper and home inspiration? Check out our video with Brooklyn’s Flavor Paper here.

About the author

Amber C. Snider

Home & Design Editor

Amber was born in Washington, D.C. and relocated to NYC in 2007. She received an M.A. degree in Liberal Studies: Women's Studies, Gender, and Sexuality from CUNY's Graduate Center and University, and an honors B.A. in English from The City College of New York. Before coming to Culture Trip, she was the executive editor for Metropolitan Magazine, a boutique luxury lifestyle and arts publication, as well as the editor for ResidencyNY Magazine. In 2015, she also started her own company, ACS Media Services, and has over 8+ years experience as a writer/editor in the NYC area. As one of the original employees in Culture Trip’s New York City office, Amber focuses on three verticals: Design, Architecture, and Home and Interiors, exploring how creativity and design influences our contemporary social landscape. She lives in Brooklyn with her typewriter.