After spending the last few years modifying our house for my wife’s health needs, I’ve learned a lot about how much our environment affects our daily wellbeing. The kitchen, especially, became a focal point for me because it’s where my wife spends a good portion of her day when she’s feeling well enough to cook or just sit with her morning coffee. What I discovered through trial and error—and plenty of reading—is that bringing natural elements into the kitchen can make a real difference in how the space feels and functions.
**Getting More Natural Light Into Your Kitchen**
The first thing I tackled in our kitchen was the lighting situation. When we moved into this house back in 1987, the kitchen had one small window over the sink and overhead fluorescent fixtures that gave everything a sickly greenish cast. My wife always complained it felt like cooking in a cave, but we just accepted it as part of the house’s layout.
After her stroke, she started spending more time in the kitchen during recovery, and I noticed how the poor lighting seemed to affect her mood. I’d read some articles about how natural light helps with depression and pain management in older adults, so I decided to do something about it.
I enlarged the window over the sink—had to hire a contractor for that since it involved structural work—and replaced the heavy valance with simple white curtains that let maximum light through. The difference was immediate. The whole room felt bigger and more welcoming. My wife said it was like someone had lifted a weight off the space.
A couple years later, I installed a skylight over the breakfast nook area. That was a bigger project than I initially bargained for—had to coordinate with a roofer and deal with flashing and waterproofing—but it transformed the space completely. Now even on cloudy Michigan days, we get natural light streaming in from above. My wife can sit at the table with her coffee and actually see the sky, which she says helps her feel less confined.
**Working With Natural Materials**
The next phase of kitchen modifications involved replacing some of the synthetic materials with natural ones. Our original countertops were that beige laminate popular in the 80s—practical but cold to the touch. When they started showing wear around 2010, I researched alternatives and decided on butcher block counters.
I won’t pretend it was purely aesthetic. Wood countertops require more maintenance than laminate, and you have to be careful about water damage. But there’s something about the warmth of wood under your hands that laminate just can’t replicate. When my wife is kneading bread or rolling out pie crust, she says the wood surface feels alive in a way the old counters never did.
For the backsplash, I used natural stone tiles—nothing fancy, just simple slate that reminded me of the stone walls you see in old farmhouses. I installed them myself using techniques I learned from YouTube videos. Took me three weekends and a few do-overs, but the end result was worth it. The texture and color variations in natural stone give the wall visual interest that ceramic tiles never had.
**Adding Plants That Actually Work**
My wife had always kept a few houseplants, but after reading about the health benefits of indoor plants—improved air quality, reduced stress, that sort of thing—I started looking for ways to incorporate more greenery into the kitchen specifically.
The herb garden was the most practical addition. I built a simple three-tier stand that fits in front of the enlarged window, where my wife can tend basil, rosemary, thyme, and parsley without having to reach or bend much. Having fresh herbs right at hand has encouraged her to cook more, and the plants themselves add life to the space.
The smell makes a difference too. When she’s chopping fresh basil for pasta sauce, the whole kitchen fills with that green, summery scent. It’s a small thing, but these small things add up to create an atmosphere that feels connected to growing, living things rather than just sterile food preparation.
I also hung a few pothos plants in macrame hangers near the window—had to learn macrame from a library book, which was not something I ever expected to do at my age. The trailing vines soften the hard edges of the cabinets and give the eye something natural to rest on.
**Improving the Layout for Better Flow**
As my wife’s mobility changed, I had to think more carefully about how the kitchen layout supported or hindered daily activities. The original galley design worked fine when we were younger and more agile, but narrow passages became problematic with her wheelchair.
I couldn’t afford a complete renovation, but I made strategic changes to improve the flow. Removed the peninsula that created a bottleneck, widened the main walkway, and rearranged appliances so everything she uses regularly is within easy reach from her seated position.
What surprised me was how these practical modifications also made the space feel more natural and less rigid. The wider, curved pathway between work areas feels more organic than the tight, angular route we used to navigate. Sometimes accessibility improvements and design improvements go hand in hand.
**Using Colors That Feel Natural**
When it came time to repaint the kitchen, I moved away from the stark white walls that had seemed so modern in the 90s. After looking through magazines and websites about nature-inspired design, I chose colors that reminded me of our backyard in different seasons.
The walls are now a soft sage green that picks up the color of our maple trees in early summer. The trim is a warm cream rather than bright white. These aren’t dramatic changes, but they make the kitchen feel more connected to the outdoors we can see through the windows.
I also replaced the old vinyl flooring with ceramic tiles in earth tones—browns and tans that look like natural stone but are easier to maintain and safer for someone using mobility aids. The color variation gives visual interest without being busy or overwhelming.
**Adding Water Sounds**
One modification I initially thought was unnecessary but now consider essential was adding a small tabletop fountain near the breakfast nook. My wife saw one at a friend’s house and mentioned how relaxing the sound was, so I found a simple ceramic one at the garden center.
The gentle trickling sound masks some of the mechanical noises from appliances—the hum of the refrigerator, the dishwasher cycling—and creates a more peaceful atmosphere. It’s particularly noticeable during quiet morning coffee time or when my wife is doing gentle food prep activities. The sound seems to encourage a slower, more mindful pace in the kitchen.
**Learning From Mistakes**
Not everything I tried worked out. I installed a elaborate vertical planting system on one wall that looked impressive in the catalog but turned out to be too complicated for daily maintenance. The plants struggled, the watering system leaked and damaged the wall, and eventually I had to remove the whole thing.
I also tried to grow a small citrus tree in a large pot near the patio door, thinking it would be nice to have fresh lemons. The tree survived but never thrived in our Michigan climate, and it attracted tiny flies that bothered my wife. Sometimes the practical realities of your specific situation trump the design ideals you read about.
**What I’ve Learned About Natural Elements**
After several years of modifications and experiments, I’ve come to understand that bringing natural elements into the kitchen isn’t about following design trends—it’s about creating an environment that supports wellbeing and connection to the living world around us.
The changes I made weren’t expensive or professionally designed. Most were DIY projects spread out over time as budget and energy allowed. But the cumulative effect has been significant. Our kitchen now feels like a place where nature and daily life intersect rather than a sterile food processing center.
My wife spends more time in the kitchen now, not because she has to but because she enjoys being there. She says the space feels calming and energizing at the same time. The natural materials, plants, light, and sounds create an atmosphere that supports both the practical work of cooking and the emotional work of healing and staying connected to life.
**Practical Tips for Others**
If you’re thinking about making similar changes to your own kitchen, start small and see what works for your specific situation. Not every natural element will suit every space or lifestyle. Consider your maintenance capabilities, budget constraints, and daily routines.
Natural light should be the first priority if possible—it makes the biggest difference for the least ongoing effort. Plants are wonderful but only if you can realistically care for them. Natural materials like wood and stone are beautiful but require appropriate maintenance and may not work for everyone.
The goal isn’t to create a magazine-perfect space but to create an environment that genuinely supports your wellbeing and connects you to the natural world in meaningful ways. Even small changes can make a significant difference in how a space feels and functions day to day.
Robert is a retired engineer in Michigan who’s spent the past few years adapting his longtime home for accessibility and wellbeing. He writes about practical, DIY ways to make homes more comfortable and life-affirming as we age — from raised-bed gardens to better natural light.
