Why We’re Drawn to Landscape Art: The Psychology of Nature in Our Homes

There’s something deeply comforting about a beautiful landscape painting. Whether it’s a dramatic coastal scene, a peaceful woodland path or rolling countryside under an open sky, landscape art has a unique ability to transform how we feel in our homes. But this isn’t just about aesthetics. There’s genuine science behind why we’re so powerfully drawn to images of nature.

Our Innate Connection to Nature

Humans have an evolutionary bond with the natural world. We evolved outdoors, surrounded by trees, water and open skies, and our brains are hardwired to respond positively to these elements. This deep-seated connection is called biophilia, literally, “love of life”, and it explains why even a photograph or painting of nature can have a measurable impact on our wellbeing.

Research consistently shows that exposure to natural environments, or even viewing images of them, can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve mood and enhance cognitive function. When we can’t get outside as often as we’d like, whether due to weather, work commitments or simply living in an urban environment, landscape art becomes a powerful way to bring those restorative benefits indoors.

The Science of Restoration

Attention Restoration Theory, developed by environmental psychologists Rachel and Stephen Kaplan, explains why nature is so effective at helping us recover from mental fatigue. Our modern lives demand constant focused attention - emails, deadlines, screens, decisions - and this depletes our cognitive resources. Natural environments, by contrast, engage our attention in a gentle, effortless way. They offer what the Kaplans call “soft fascination”: enough interest to hold our attention without demanding effort.

When you look at a landscape painting of a sunset over the sea or a misty morning in the hills, your mind is allowed to rest and wander. This isn’t laziness, it’s restoration. Studies have found that even brief exposure to nature scenes can improve concentration, reduce anxiety and help us feel more mentally refreshed.

What Landscape Art Does for Your Home

Bringing landscape art into your home creates what designers call a biophilic environment - a space that connects you to nature even when you’re indoors. Research on biophilic design has shown that incorporating natural elements, including images of nature, can:

·       Reduce stress and promote calm. A study on college students found that rooms with views of nature or images of natural scenes helped reduce feelings of anxiety and improved overall wellbeing.

·       Enhance mood and emotional balance. Natural environments are associated with positive emotions, feelings of peace and reduced symptoms of depression.

·       Improve focus and productivity. Exposure to nature, whether real or represented, has been shown to restore attention and improve cognitive performance.

·       Create a sense of refuge. Landscape art can make a room feel like a sanctuary, offering a psychological escape from the pressures of daily life.

Why Certain Landscapes Resonate with Us

Not all landscape art affects us in the same way. Our responses are shaped by personal memories, cultural background and even evolutionary preferences. Here’s what research tells us about the types of landscapes we’re most drawn to:

Water Scenes

Seascapes, rivers and lakes are universally appealing. From an evolutionary perspective, water signals safety, nourishment and life. Coastal scenes and seascapes are particularly effective at promoting feelings of calm and tranquility, which is why they’re so popular in bedrooms and relaxation spaces.

Open Horizons

Landscapes with depth and openness - rolling hills, wide skies, distant mountains - tap into our preference for “prospect,” the ability to see far into the distance to anticipate what might be on the way to use. This offers a subconscious sense of safety and control, which can be deeply reassuring in a home environment.

Green Spaces

Woodlands, meadows and lush countryside scenes are linked to feelings of vitality and restoration. Green is associated with growth, health and renewal, and studies show that viewing green landscapes can reduce stress and improve mood more effectively than urban scenes.

Seasonal and Atmospheric Scenes

Sunrise and sunset paintings, misty mornings and dramatic skies evoke emotional responses tied to time, change and the cycles of nature. These scenes can bring a sense of wonder and contemplation into your home.

Choosing Landscape Art That Speaks to You

The most powerful landscape art for your home is the art that resonates with you. Here are some questions to guide your choice:

·       What landscapes bring you peace? Think about places you’ve loved - childhood holidays by the sea, countryside walks, mountain retreats. Art that reflects these memories can be deeply comforting.

·       What mood do you want to create? Calm coastal scenes for relaxation, vibrant autumn landscapes for warmth and energy, soft misty scenes for contemplation.

·       How does the art make you feel? Trust your instincts. If a painting makes you pause, breathe deeper or smile, it’s doing its job.

Bringing Nature Home

Landscape art isn’t just decoration. It’s a way to nurture your wellbeing and create a home environment that supports your mental and emotional health. Whether you choose a dramatic seascape for your living room, a gentle woodland scene for your bedroom, or a vibrant countryside painting for your hallway, you’re inviting the restorative power of nature into your everyday life.

In a world that often feels overwhelming and disconnected from the natural world, landscape art offers a quiet, enduring connection to the beauty and peace that nature provides. It’s a reminder that even indoors, surrounded by the demands of modern life, we can find a moment of stillness, a breath of fresh air and a view that restores us.

Looking for landscape or seascape art that brings the restorative power of nature into your home? Explore original paintings and prints that capture the beauty of the natural world and create spaces where you can truly breathe. Or, if you’d like a painting created of a space that’s personally special to you, let’s talk about a commission.

Bibliography

DeLauer, V., McGill-O’Rourke, A., Hayes, T., Haluch, A., Gordon, C., Crane, J., … & Schofield, D. (2022). The impact of natural environments and biophilic design as supportive and nurturing spaces on a residential college campus. Cogent Social Sciences, 8(1), 2000570. https://doi.org/10.1080/23311886.2021.2000570

Kaplan, S. (1995). The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15(3), 169-182.

Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective. Cambridge University Press.

Ulrich, R.S., Simons, R.F., Losito, B.D., Fiorito, E., Miles, M.A., & Zelson, M. (1991). Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 11(3), 201-230.

Kellert, S., & Calabrese, E. (2015). The Practice of Biophilic Design. Terrapin Bright Green.

Browning, W., Ryan, C., & Clancy, J. (2014). 14 Patterns of Biophilic Design. Terrapin Bright Green.

Shanahan, D.F., Bush, R., Gaston, K.J., Lin, B.B., Dean, J., Barber, E., & Fuller, R.A. (2016). Health benefits from nature experiences depend on dose. Scientific Reports, 6, 28551. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep28551